I'm taking grade 4 violin in June. With my previous teacher I got about when I took grade 2 & 3 the exam dates were spread over 2 to 3 weeks and my certificate was sent to my address.

My current teacher says there is only a 4 days I can take my exam 14-17 June and my certificate should I pass will be sent to her house and she will them give it to me.

Has anyone else experienced this? is this the norm? I made my cheque payable to her as she said that she had quite a few students taking exams.

The other thing is that my teacher cannot play the piano well enough to accompany me but she has got an accompanist. I will have one practise session with him before the exam. Does any one else have a teacher who does not accompany them?

It is certainly normal for the teacher to get the results if that is who submits the entry.

I think it also not uncommon to have to get an accompanist for exams because a teacher is unable because of skill or time to do so.

As for the days for exams... in Uk they are over 3 weeks, but yoour teacher may have requested that week (but may not get it) OR it could be that it is part of a special visit which would explain how she knows the dates.

My exam results also went to my teacher but as sbhoa said, this is normal. Did your teacher enter you for your exam? If she did, then as well as her name being on the certificate, it would have been sent to her because she entered you.

As for accompanists, i'm really lucky!! This is because both my mum and dad are pro pianists, so they always have a fight over who should accompany me!! Just have a gr8 practise wiv your accompanist and remember, YOU'RE IN CHARGE!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, if you havn't taken your exam yet, good luck!
You'll be FAB!!
Daisy
xxx

I have never had a teacher that has accompanied me. I've done all my exams with only one previous rehearsal with the accompanist, and it didn't do me any harm! Don't worry- the accompanist will no doubt be very professional and they'll work round you, rather than you having to work with them. In my Grade 8 horn exam I came in totally wrong in one of my pieces and the accompanist covered it up so well the examiner didn't even notice! I got full marks (30/30) in that piece!
Good luck anyway!

Thanks sbhoa it's put my mind at ease.

I've only ever had one teacher who has accompanied me, apart from that I've had to find my own accompanist. But its alright for me, as my accompanist is the same age as me, so we run through the pieces once a week at school and in lessons as we have the same teacher and his lesson is straight after mine.

Good luck with your exam! I'm sure you'll be amazing!!