I am seriously thinking about doing the CT course.
However, after returning to piano playing in recent years after many years only playing now and then, I still feel that my playing is not where I want it to be and that this could be a stumbling block in terms of coping with the course.
Although I got a grade 8 brass many years ago, it is piano that I have recently started teaching. I got grade 7 piano in my teens and after many years of either not playing at all, or only now and then, have got back to playing regularly and seriously in the last couple of years. I have worked up one grade 8 piece and am working on a second, so would like to think I was somewhere approaching that level.
Can anyone tell me what sort of standard playing is required for the course???

There is no formal performance element in the course. You are expected to be teaching a certain minimum number of pupils however. When I did the course there were some informal elements of performing such as an improvising session and maybe some examples to be played in tutorial sessions.
However I would have thought that if one is teaching students to play a musical instrument then one ought to be able to play to a decent standard oneself. What precise standard is open to debate!

I am doing it in October and was told that they'd expect a minimum of grade 8 standard.

Whoever told you that told you wrong. The only requirement is that you have a minimum of five students already; the playing standard isn't mentioned although one would hope that you are already at a good enough standard to warrant having five pupils already.

I do think I'm at a decent standard - I was just wondering if any elements of the course required a particular standard of performance.

Anyone know where I can find information about the CT ABRSM. Can't seem to find it on the main site.

Yes, it's here:


http://www.abrsm.org/?page=teachers/course...BRSM/index.html

I agree. It is your teaching that is assessed throughout. If part of your observed lessons involves you playing then your assessor may make comment on that. It is also noted on your final assessment the highest grade level to which your mentor has observed you teaching, which will be dependent on several factors as well as your own playing level of course. I think when I did it all those in my group were of grade 8 standard - or had been once (!) but I know there were others on the course who were at grade 7 or possibly even 6. I don't think you would feel out of place on there unless requirements have dramatically changed.

I do encourage you to do the CT if you can - it was a great course for me.

Argh - small minor factor of having to be 21 to do it

Thanks for that. That's really encouraging and helpful. Sounds like I won't be an odd one out after all!
I am already working towards grade 8, and although I have a lot of work to do to get there, having not played properly for many years – and therefore losing some of the techniques mastered in my youth - I am absolutely committed. It may even be the 2010 CT course I sign up for (as I need to save for it!!), so would hope to be at least grade 8 standard by then. I already have grade 8 brass and music A level.
When did you do the course?