Hello,

Could someone tell me how much it costs to do a performance assessment please?

I'm thinking about doing my grade 8 early next year but I'm already nervous just thinking about it I didn't do so well on my grade 7 as I was so nervous I couldn't stop shaking - not very helpful when trying to play! I wondered if doing the assessment first might help my nerves a bit - I don't have much experience of playing in front of people so thought it might help?

Has anyone done one? What was it like? Did you find it useful?

Hi Ensemble, the performance assessments are priced at £39.50 for 2007. I have done 2 so far and found them really useful in terms of conquering nerves and also in view of the immediate feedback you get from the examiner. I hadn't done any exams for years so have used these as a route to getting back into the swing of things. I think you get around 15 minutes, so ytour programme needs to be just short of this to allow a bit of time for feedback / chat.

(also good for working on nerves etc are forum concerts...!! they're good fun and very supportive too )
good luck!

Hi!
I've done 2 too. The atmosphere is quite different to that of an exam , much more relaxed you'll be glad to hear!

Thoroughly good things. You're right about the atmosphere being a little more relaxed as well. Aim for about 13 minutes, gives you chance to talk at teh start to the examiner about why you're doing it (various explanations; practice for a festival, returning to instrument and not ready for grades, adult beginners who don't do the prep test etc.) and for the exminer to give you feedback at the end.

I know a number who have done this, and (touching wood!), have yet to hear from any who didn't find the experience very useful.