I had some pupils take exams last week.
The position of the piano in the exam room (I was accompanying some of them) meant that my piano candidates had their backs to the examiner. I thought this would have made communication very difficult for them not to mention how the scales got asked and heard!
I certainly didn't feel comfortable accompanying them although I was reluctant to say or do anything at the time. Perhaps I should now draw attention to it?


Anyone with similar experiences??

Katie

The layout of my music room is such that the only place I can put a desk for the examiner is behind whoever sits at the piano. It's a little awkward, in that once the piano candidates are seated they can't look at the examiner quite so easily, but there's certainly no problem with scales, and I have never felt that the layout adversely affected anyone's exam.

The exam centre I use also has this arrangement. In fact, I didn't have any difficulty hearing the examiner, as although he was behind me he was facing towards me, whereas last time the examiner was behind and facing sideways, and on that occasion I had to ask him to repeat his requests several times.

(Btw, the room is a large one, so the arrangement is obviously deliberate!)

Considering the cost of exams and the amount of preparation that goes into, then you should expect to have reasonable exam conditions.
Make a suggestion to the steward or to the local region/centre.
Next time, if you have the same venue, position the piano as you need to.
Aligator

Katie

It's a valid point but do remember that the piano isn't just there for piano candidates - it has to serve a purpose in it's position for accompanying many different instruments who may like to be in different positions with regard to where they/the pianist are. I have accompanied violinists who like to be somewhere completely different (so the bowing arm/fingers can be easily seen by the examiner), compared to a brass player.

I imagine examiners like to be able to see a piano candidate's hands (hence their back view) but also have the piano where it physically fits in the room to allow maximum flexibility for everyone else. You cannot expect the steward/examiner to keep pushing the piano around between candidates so I guess they effect a good old "compromise" position which suits some better than others.

I've always heard an examiner quite clearly when I've accompanied with my back to him/her at our local centre. I don't think it's a particular problem.

I always assumed it was the choice of the examiner (space permitting) as to where they sat. Mine have tended to be to the side and slightly back from me so they can see the hands but I can easily turn and see them. Although then, I always end up wanting to look at them during the pieces to see if they're writing anything before I've finished.