Dear all,

GC has been "admitted" an LRSM and it proves that Fix-a-dent and Stearadent do work!!! Heavens help us had my dentures clattered to the floor - perhaps they would have clackity-clacked their way to the examiner!!!

So then, what of FRSM? Sometime ago the fail rate was published on the forum and I think it was above 50%??

Do help old uncle GC to decide on FR would you?

The syllabus states about presenting a specialist programme - one composer or period.... Hmmm sounds like a 20th Century bash to me. (No more Baroque - just Rock!!! )

Furtive-ly,
GC

I can't be of any practical help, I'm afraid - you need mrb and others for that - but what I can say is - GO FOR IT!!

Encouraging-ly,

Thank you for your kind words. IF I go through with it I promise to maintain a Blog unlike other people who shall remain nameless...

Wonder-who-that-was-ly,
GC

SHHH...

Surreptitious-ly,
GC

My lips are sealed...

Secretive-ly,

Be careful GC

Some people here think it is bad form to talk about doing the FRSM

Whispering-ly ... I'd quite like to but might go for FTCL instead in Winter 2008.

Just a minor correction - I think I've read posts from one person who thinks there's no point in it (or something - I can't remember the exact words).

GC, if you want to do it, then go for it, but don't be in a rush. Enjoy the journey to Fellowship Nirvana, but take time to stop and sniff the roses.

Oh, and enjoy playing all that Messiaen that a recital of 20th century organ works will no doubt include

I think the standard of playing required by the FRSM compared to the LRSM is one of the great unsolved mysteries

All you can do is have a go and see how it pans out. In my experience the greatest difficulty was the WS (and, obviously given my 6/15, the QS...) It took me five years after LR to get the confidence to undertake the FR (mainly because of the WS) but I think the inimitable GC can ace it at the next available opportunity...

What is wrong with admitting you want to do FRSM. You've got your LRSM if it is what you want to do GC go ahead... FRSM FRCO would be an excellent set of letters for an organist so if it your dream don't let those who can't put you off.

go for it, if you want.

When I pass grade 8 I will try for Dip.
If I pass diploma I will try for LRSM
In the unilkely event I ever pass LRSM before I die of old age, then I will at least start work on some of the FRSM repertoire (if not before; Oh all right, I admit it, I've tried some of it already!)
If I do the repertoire, why not the exam?

A failure rate of over 50% (as alleged above, probably correctly) doesn't frighten me - I once had to pass primary FRCS in the days when the fail rate was 90%, and that really mattered. Still, like most exams, if you do the preparation . . .

Ah the voice of reason; the voice of the slightly more mature poster than the normal Dip aspirants! I guess we have the benefit of perspective and understand that cramming it all in before we are old enough to vote is no great drama!

I agree that perspective is needed. Exams based on talent rather than hard work are rather outdated these days anyway.

It's getting quite noticable that the more mature (years wise I mean) people on this forum simply don't bother any more helping the younger, less knowledgable, members.

dost peleted

I don't know what your deleted post said MrB, but really Drew!

During my planning for my licentiate, it has been people like MrB who have offered the most concrete support. At 37 I see myself as no spring chicken either.

Anyone whose prepared to rip apart constructively criticise my programme notes is the type of help I want.

Personally I'd rather have someone pull a c### programme apart rather than tell me it was "lovley" when it clearly wasn't.

I do plan to do an FRSM one day soon. I relish the challenge of the written assignment... horses for courses, but you don't get if you're not prepared to put the effort in and give it a go.

However, when I first started trying for diplomas I was in my early twenties. I've grown up somewhat now, and continued to develop as a musician. I don't deride the young, but I did learn an expensive lesson the hard way.

Jo

I'd also disagree with that. When I did both my DipABRSMs, the level of support offered when I posted here was massive, and WHEN I do my LRSMs I expect I'll find the same! And the dizzy heights of FRSM....we can dream!

Yes, support it's great in this forum

I'm taking FRSM this month, yep. AND GO FOR IT!!! most important it's the WS... a hard work

Much dip support hereon is not visible to the typical forum member... phonecalls, face-to-face, PM, email, IM are other ways in which this support is expressed. It's a pity that some people will get berated for doing all this in their own time and in a manner of their own choosing, rather than beating their breasts in an overt manner...

Couldn't have put it better myself!

There are so many different types of support here as well, such as the very practical offers to act as page turner or loans of music for the examiners, advice for the day itself (covering minutae such as what to wear and thanking the examiners), and words of encouragement when the going gets tough.

Any further thoughts on that fellowship, GC?

I agree too!

I wouldn't normally bother saying this and would normally say these things by PM, but as some forum members have had some flack I'll put in in public for everyone to see.

- MrB I'm mid programme note write, when I've got in all together I'll PM you and email them over to you.

- Bing, we need to sort out our coffee-shop time so we can both go through each other's programme notes.

Now if that isn't signs of help then I don't know what is.

That's the sort of help I've had offered and it matters.

Thanks in advance everyone.

Jo

I've not been preparing for a diploma myself, but am accompanying one in about 10 days time. Anacrusis was extremely helpful to me when I was just starting to look at the music, even recording a mp3 file of her playing the piece specially for me so I could hear how one of the pieces went. She also gave me some useful advice on style of playing (Early Baroque recorder playing). So, publicly, thank you anacrusis.

I came on here to start a THANK YOU thread even though I try not to start many threads on the whole... and I found one where thanks are already being expressed! I would like to thank:

Everyone who gave me the advice and confidence to try this term.
YAP and everyone who contributed to the support website.
Deborah for her unlimited advice and kindness in lending me spare copies of music.
My friends and family for reading my programme notes and telling me what to change (especially a non-musical friend who said "Are you meant to write so much about semiquavers and triplets?").

Regarding standards, I'm still not sure what to expect, but have prepared thoroughly. I can't believe how much research I have had to do, even though I did a music degree and started playing 24 years ago. I think it's brilliant that there are children talented enough to pass diplomas (I know a 15 year old who has) but after cramming in so many hours of work over the past 6 months and still expecting to fail some parts, I think it's important for ANYONE thinking of having a go to know what's involved, and to get some support. I suppose it comes back to the reasons for doing it, once again. My reasons are: professional development, a challenge for my brain, to really improve (pass or fail, I've definitely improved), and doing something for myself!

Why is it bad form to talk about FRSM? I'm not going to do it - my wrist problems are probably going to ensure I can't go any further because I can't play for much more than one hour a day, and I have a young family. Just curious.

Regarding assistance, I think everyone has a finite number of times that they will post the same thing before they get bored . That's one of the great advantages of making the diplomas site, it saves posting the same thing again and again, and a shameless plug to the site answers the question just as well . Incidentally YAP and I are happy to add anything that anyone thinks is missing if they provide it. And any other programme notes, or FRSM written sumbissions too....

Public help is the most benificial to all, as everyone can learn from it and regurgitate it on your behalf later, saving you a job . However some things are more easily/quickly done via things like MSN; and others are more appropriately done via the privacy of email. So help on the forums is the most useful because it's public and archived; but if one only has the time or inclination to do it via other means then it's still being kind to the person concerned anyway, and no one can demand or expect any more .

I am skimming the syllabus for a tentative programme... Right now the Bach 662/3 and the Bux 146 catch my eye... what a surprise for a 20thC repertoire enthusiast!

I am yet to clarify the bit in the syllabus that mentions about the programme being based on one composer or a period...

It's a shift from Dip and LR where you covered at least 2 periods (I think).

There-you-go-ly,
GC

Can you remind me please where to find the diplomas site? I think I must have missed the initial post telling us about it. Thanks

http://www.forumrecordings.co.uk/diplomas/

Thank you Scaramouche.

Good reminder.

Says to self 'Must get on with programme notes....must get on with programme notes......'

Beethoven and Berg notes going fine. Messaien..........er.....

I agree too: not only for Dip support (not needed for me as yet...!) but just general support in all kinds of exams. The number of people who have listened to me playing things, given advice, etc etc, out of the public eye is... well it would be a long list! I can't think of a more unlikely complaint than people saying forum members are unwilling to help each other out. I have generally found the reverse.