QUOTE(AnotherPianist @ Jan 12 2006, 12:50 AM)
Well done indeed
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The 'equivalent' comes from the fact that the standard of performance required is the same; however, the two aren't directly interchangeable: the diplomas would perhaps be one or two modules of a degree at that level, so whilst they're at the same level they don't have the same amount of content. It's more correct therefore, to say that a diploma requires an equivalent standard of playing to a degree; than that a diploma is equivalent to a degree. Having said that since you've got both you can probably tell the differences better than I can
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Thanks for that! Yes, that is what I sort of meant, now that I think abuot it. However, my degree wasn't actually as well rounded (in retrospect) as the LRSM stuff I had to do - especially the preparations for that diploma far exceeded the amount of work and challenge and fear of failing than my Bachellor of Music.
In the Jazz stream at my university, it is true that we studied arranging, composition, harmony, improvisation etc, however because the classes were not streamed, the whole lot of us were chucked in one class together. That meant that the drummers (who in my year level started out not being able to read music very fast - let alone know about even simple harmony) were put in with trumpeters (who in my year couldn't read bass clef) with guitarrists (who understand melody and harmony very well, but usually their reading skills werent that crash hot either) with pianists - who have a harder entrance test than the others to even get in - we are expected to sight read at a high level and have a good understand harmony and melody.
You can see that this will not really work - we are all at different levels!!! I tried to get the Conservatorium to change it - to make it like the classical school, who have streamed levels, but for the years I was there it was no good. In the end, to satisfy myself musically and to extend and broaden my knowledge of music, I went to the classical school and sat in on their lessons. Even their intermediate class was doing a million times more complicated musical concepts than Jazz School - for example simple modulations into new keys - the jazz school didn't touch on that until the
end of 3rd year, when the classical school started it even in 1st year!
For the LRSM I had to do a LOT of research of not only the composers, but the pieces and how to play them and how to work on my techinique to overcome the complex and technically difficult sections. The whole process was about how to make the music as
musical as I could - trying to get in to the piano and draw the sound
out of it. The intent of each phrase, the focal point etc, was hard work - you really had to understand a lot f theoretical and harmonic approaches - and this is jus the practical side fo the exam!! The program notes were OK - theyre just like an essay, so I did fine with those. The Viva Voce was another kettle of fish - it was hard to know what he would ask. I had to know the composers' every detail in their lives, their colleagues, a full list of their and their colleagues' works and how they relate to the piece I was playing... the list was very very long indeed that I had to study for...
In short, I am sure that I put MORE work and stresses into the LRSM than my whole time at Uni! And I really enjoyed this exam a lot more than my degree.
!!