I've received a letter from ABRSM saying the examiners have changed for my LRSM piano performing. I now have a Cellist and a viola player.

Seems alittle odd that there isn't a piano specialist here. I'm not worried about it but could it work to my advantage? I'm playing alot of Bach so I'd assume the Cellist would know alot about suites, dances etc. Maybe I should focus revision on this aspect for the viva.

I don't know - just seems alittle strange.

Andrew

Personally I wouldn't be happy not having a specialist at this level. You are paying a lot of money for this exam. It happened to me once (not with AB) (like you was allocated a specialist and it was changed) and the remarks showed that the examiner obviously didn't have a clue about singing technique, languages, etc. I appealed - and the Director of Examinations agreed with me. I retook it (free of charge) with a specialist and didn't have a single negative remark. The Chief Examiner subsequently "left". I would insist on a specialist, or withdraw until you can be guaranteed one - but that's just me. I personally wouldn't be confident about examining another instrument at diploma level, unless I were the academic, and had a specialist with me.

I agree - it just doesn't sit right if there is not at least one specialist examiner in piano present at the LRSM.

Maybe It is better not to have a specialist. They can criticize you in somethings that the cellist and the viola player don't even know it exists. For sure they have no idea about sophisticated topics in pedalling for example. That's an example of why it can be a good thing.

Insist on a specialist. Get whoever entered you to get on the phone and "jump up and down". This is unacceptable at this level, particularly as LRSM costs £300+.

This is a time to complain, not be passive.

But is it fair? At LRSM level you SHOULD be open to criticism of your instrument's pecualiarities. Otherwise why bother? And you wouldn't/shouldn't be proud of achieving it if you don't come up to the satndards required but the examiner doesn't recognise it.
In my case the flautist was not as qualified in her instrument as I already was in mine. She THOUGHT she knew about voice, and found herself making criticisms that my accompanist (himself a diploma examiner) thought rediculous. That's why I had a re-take.