Hi! I took my performers diploma last July and failed the SR and recital. I was ok about it cos I think I entered too soon and I'm retaking the parts that I failed next February. I was surprised at how hard the SR was compared to Grade 8 where I got 20/21. For my preparation for the diploma SR I got hold of several Grade 5,6 & 7 pieces from past years and did SR almost everyday. Does anyone know of any particular books/pieces that they found helpful for the cello? I obviously need more practice!

Also, I am aware of the thread on accompanying fees on the teachers forum but it doesn't really address fees for diplomas. Does anyone have any advice on what we should be paying our accompanist? My teacher accompanies me.

I only found this forum after taking my exam last time but I've found it very helpful since then - so thank you to everyone who contributes!!

Having reached this sort of level, you are in a position to develop your sight-reading by playing in ensembles of various types, from string quartets to orchestras. The conditions there effectively push you on significantly in this area and progress should be pretty quick over a few months. So, just look around for amateur (or junior if appropriate) playing opportunities in your area.

However, it's possible your problem is more to do with how you approach the quick study and take in its requirements. In this case, you are best off getting professional guidance on how to structure the time you have available.

Thanks for your reply. I already play in a quartet at least once a week and an amateur orchestra which plays pretty demanding stuff - Brahms 4th symphony, Strauss Last Songs, Tchaik's 5th etc and agree with you - all this is brilliant for SR.

I think I'm just having difficulties in getting around the fact that I could prepare for and pass the SR for Grade 8 and used the same type of preparation and approach for the diploma - without success, which is why I wondered if any other cellists could recommend some actual books/pieces which are very similar in style to the one I'm likely to encounter in the exam. I will re-evaluate my approach though. Thanks.

No advice but just wanted to say that I know how you feel. I have failed the Dip twice, recital and sight reading both times I too did very well in Grade 8 sight reading. The level expected is much higher.

Good luck

I don't want to labour the point, but this part of the Dip exam is called the Quick Study, not Playing at Sight as in the Grade exams: five minutes are allocated to it, not 30 seconds. Therefore, the Board clearly has a different expectation of what might be achieved in these conditions.

What do you do with your allocated five minutes? Do you have a systematic approach to this task?

I failed the QS (let's be straight from the start - it's NOT Sight reading, it's a Quick Study) on my first attempt.
In getting ready for my second run, I was far more structured about how I did my practice - I timed the five minutes for the study, and did a mental checklist of things I was going to look for - key and time signatures, places where they change, places where the rhythm changes.
Then I had one run through the piece, then I went back to look at the "change" areas.
I didn't get a great mark, but by the time I'd got my "fail" in september and was doing my retake in December, there wasn't an awful lot of time...