Hi, this is for people who have sat DipABRSM, especially violinists. The instructions say you need to provide the examiner with your music. Did you photocopy yours? Or was this not an issue because you had memorised it all?

Thanks in advance!

If you can borrow a copy of the same edition of the music (for example, from your teacher) for the examiner, that's your best bet. If you photocopy, I believe you need written permission from the publisher.

I couldn't easily get hold of copies of my pieces except by buying new ones, so I emailed all the relevant publishers to ask for permission to photocopy - they all agreed readily, so there was no problem, and most of them wished me good luck for the exam, which was nice!

I took copies of the permission emails into the exam and offered them to the examiners as proof - they weren't scrutinised, but it's probably a good idea to take proof in with you along with any music photocopies, just in case.

I was really disorganised and forgot to get real copies / get permission from the publishers. I just gave them the photocopies and they didn't question me, so I don't think they really care that much.

Ideally the examiners' copy should be the same edition as what you are using. But no big deal if the two are different, as long as the examiner's copy is not drastically different in editorial detail.

The best thing to do is to present a photocopy of what you are using to the examiners. For scores under copyright, a photocopy is acceptable if there's written permission from the publisher. Although some examiners may be lenient toward photocopies without proper permission, I wouldn't recommend anyone taking such risk. Scores published by Dover are out of copyright, so they can be photocopied without the publisher's permission.

If you are unable to obtain a second copy or permission to make a photocopy, you can try to obtain the scores from libraries or from the IMSLP website.

Thanks a lot your your replies. An email to the publishers seems like a good idea - I'll give it a whirl.

I took a Trinity diploma, where the regulations don't stipulate the need for permission to copy - the board undertakes to destroy these after the event, in the same way that music festivals tend to. However, because I'd been reading about the issue of permission on here, I thought for the Associate diploma that I'd give it a try - and only managed to get permission from two of the four publishers. One sent me spam six months later but no reply, one had such an automated mailing system that they assumed I wanted to buy the music again, and the two German publishers were swift, courteous and wished me luck .
For the next Trinity diploma, I didn't bother getting permission - indeed I went further and played one of my pieces from photocopies and handed the original to the examiner, but the reason for that was that it was one of those slightly pretentious pieces with several fragments which could be placed in any order - so to save myself processing the move from one bit to the next, I copied it all, chopped it up and reassembled it in the right order. My accompanist thankfully remembered to retrieve the original from the examiner at the end, though no doubt she'd have been delighted to stuff that in a shredder .

I have written to 7 publishers to obtain permission, and have so far (despite writing a few weeks ago) only had 4 replies. Two polite well laid out ones from the German companies, the American/german one has just written a few words written and "Yes, you must destory immediately" - even though I said that they will be in my original request!

The fourth came though this weekend trying to get me to buy a copy of the music. When I pointed out that I had already purchased the original music from them and just wanted photocopy permission, the company a bit off with me. They said that they dont give out copy permissions and that I would need to purchase another copy.

I really don't want two copies! I had already searched the library prior to emailing the publisher, but now I have to look further a field!

I was just wondering if anyone else has had problems? Or if anyone has been questioned over not providing proof that they have photocopy permissions? It seems a very difficult thing to sort, and maybe the ABRSM could sort special rules for exams with the publishers?

At least i asked- most people just copy away!

Exactly. You have done the right thing. I have to say in all of my 9 diploma examinations I have _never_ been asked to show proof of permission to copy anything. Examiners seem to be realistic about such matters!

Update, the publishers have decided to ok it (begrudgingly)- but if anyone else has a problem ith one then just dont give up.

Point out that you already own one original copy purchased from them, and that the exam board will retain and destroy the copy if needed. That all other publisher have granted their relevant permission and that they are the only one. Also that Trinity says it is ok!!

Ok, maybe not the last one, but just keep going, and dont play into their bank accounts.

Has anyone sent a request to the publisher, but recieved no reply? I wrote a week ago but have not heard from them yet.

If I never get permission, I still doubt its excusable. Ugh.. and I can't find the score anywhere anymore, nor does anyone seem to have it.

sphiff,

Have you considered posting the name of the work on here? Loads of forumites to quizz, and there's always a chance someone on here may have a copy and be willing to loan it to you for the exam?

denmark