Is there anyone on here who has done this that is willing to let me have a look at their submission to get an idea of the style of writing and so forth?

Nope - you've got a degree; write it yourself!

Seriously, though - they're looking for something informative, well-written and with well backed-up arguments. Make sure there are lots of facts (don't waffle too much) and include some references to give weight to your points.

I missed a distinction for mine by a few marks as it was a bit 'lite' - I hadn't realised they wanted quotations and so on. So I'd recommend you mention (i.e. quote) important people in your field (e.g. Fanny Waterman if your instrument is piano), other pedagogues (Paul Harris, perhaps) and performers, along with general music educators (Keith Swanwick, Susan Hallam, etc.).

Good luck!

And I got comments that my submission was a bit 'dry' and academic! So I think it depends on your examiner. As long as it does the job it will get a pass.

I'm not wanting to copy it! Sheesh...

I was only asking to get an idea of style as there is nothing in the syllabus that gives any information on this and there are examples of programme notes in the performance syllabus.

If you're used to writing undergraduate essays and assignments you'll be fine.

You can see mine, but there's not much point till after we get results. It might not be what they want.

I have seen lots of written submissions for the Dip. Everyone has their own style. The important thing is to show a maturity of thought, evidence of background reading but also your own thoughts and experiences. It needs to be well written with succinct quotations. Guard against plagiarism. You don't have many words in the Dip so make each word count. Aim for a good introduction and well thought out conclusion. Read the title very carefully and make sure you stay on topic. Good luck

Just having a look at my report for the written submission. After the positive comments points to improve on were to stay focussed on the question and to make more use of notated examples to add more clarity to the argument. I used one music illustration in mine. My teacher recommended this too, although I couldn't find it specifically in the syllabus. I was complimented on my bibliography/referencing.

You are a glutton for punishment, Scaramouche! How can you be thinking of doing another diploma so soon?!

Anyway, it looks as if margaret is the person to ask about it.

Goodness, thats a sweeping generalisation.

Here we have someone who wants to see the sort of thing other people have done any your saying "no point doing that sort of research luv. you've done the work at uni!"

Isn't that a bit unfair?

Well I don't have much to do over the summer and surely just getting the submission done will be beneficial in a small way before I start my course in September. Also, if I decide to do it next summer, I'll have written it and won't have to worry about it as much. I'm going to be a teacher, so this would be far more useful than my DipABRSM performance fail!

What DipABRSMperformance fail? your report sounded reasonably positive. Pity about the lip. real <inseret expletive> when that happens.

I'm sure you've done better than you think.

Good assignment to set yourself though.

I agree it's good to be thinking well in advance, the first title you choose may not be the right one, so it's good to have a go at a few. However..... IT'S SUMMER!!! Your face gets much browner if you're not reading a book!

Depends if you where you read the book.

Argh! I don't care what season it is or whatever anyone's opinion is. I asked for some submission tips not tips on what I should do with myself!

It's neither 'unfair', nor a 'generalisation'. The Dip is acknowledged to be approximately the level reached by students at the end of the first year of an undergraduate course, so I was merely saying that if Scaramouche has successfully completed an entire degree course (the final year of which is reckoned to be approximately LRSM level) then she has nothing to worry about.

Did I say there was no point in doing it? No, I didn't, so please don't put words in my mouth. It was merely encouragement, just as one might consider that someone who had already gained a PhD could be fairly confident in their success if they decided to study for a further masters degree in a related subject.

EDIT: Jod, you've obviously completely misinterpreted what I wrote as implying I thought Scaramouche shouldn't bother to do the DipABRSM because she already had a degree. This is not what I meant at all. Perhaps you should have read my previous post with suggestions of references etc. before you jumped down my throat.


I hear Cornwall's nice this time of year...