Has anyone ever sat an exam at this center (Trinity), and if so what's the piano like????

I will ask my teacher, as he accompanied me for grade 8 in June 2005 (we dragged our harpsichord in there for the diploma exam this year). I certainly don't remember any glitches, but obviously I was focusing more on what I was doing than on his playing. The church is light and airy, and the acoustics really fantastic for solo and chamber music - I loved playing in that space. I was there in summer - and my one niggle was that I had cold hands whilst waiting, and the waiting room was none too warm, but that may be different at this time of year (or may have been my nerves, anyway) - it's probably worth bringing along some gloves (for the wait, not the exam!) if your personal central heating packs up under stress...
When's the exam, StuMac? I might persuade the rep to bring my still-awaited diploma certificate along, since he's not yet sent it to me.

I'm doing first concert certificate there on Monday. Reasonably OK about three of the pieces, but if a little fairy could come to earth and say "you don't have to play the Beethoven" I'd be a lot happier about the whole thing!

There is very little chance of that happening!

*whispers* the Beethoven will really sing in there - enjoy!

Sorry, no way could I be described as remotely fairy-like. But it's the best I can do.
I have a lesson tonight, so will be able to ask my teacher then. I do know the piano does piano very well, because we had good balance with the recorder. More to follow, I hope.

OK, StuMac - the piano is a good one. A Grotrian Steinweg - and a piano builder I know calls them the piano-builder's piano. (My mum has one, as it happens, but hers is an upright...)
As I said before, it will go piano readily - it is also capable of packing a punch or two, and has a lovely tone. I've spoken to the Trinity rep tonight, and he tells me that most candidates who play it come out smiling. I do hope you do too. All the best for Monday.

Something that varies a bit from one piano to another is the sustaining pedal, so have a pump at it as soon as you sit down to see how it compares to what you're used to.

Good luck - enjoy!

Many thanks.

Realy nervous about this! Played a Steinway before - they tend to have quite heavy pedals which is a help as it stops me overpedaling which I tend to do when nervous. Really worried about Beethoven!!

Stop worrying! You'll be fine! Worrying won't help. (Says she who worries incessantly herself about these things. ) Seriously - be content in the knowledge that even if you have a few slip-ups, enough will prevail to show that you've done the work - there is probably a lot that's really good, and will be on any piano, but that has become so automatic to you that you don't even realise how good it is any more! Record yourself and you might be surprised...

Grotrian Steinwegs are not Steinways, though - I can't remember exactly, but I think they are an offshoot from the original company, from way back. They are beautifully built too.

Hi StuMac,

How did the exam go? Congratulations for getting through it .

Yes well done StuMac for getting through it! Ooh Palmerston Place, thats near where the St Marys Music School is. I hope your exam went well. Im sure it did

The thread about the exam is here.