Hello forum,
I have seen a lot of different letters after peoples names so I though I would enquire as to what they mean. Share yours here. Perhaps sharing if the exams were worth the work, or the course was as you expected might be a good idea too. Does anyone actually use the letters day to day?
Full Version: Post-nominal Letters
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QUOTE(Mezzo1974 @ Jun 16 2009, 11:00 AM) 
I probably learned the basics at Uni/College - the real work actually started AFTER my qualifications, and it still goes on - lifelong learning really ...
You are right about that! College is a comfortable place but things are different in the real world1
QUOTE(dcmbarton @ Jun 16 2009, 11:11 AM)
Well here goes (if I don't get shot down):
BA(Hons)(Open) - Bachelor of Arts Open Degree with Honours (Open University)
DipRSCM - Diploma of the Royal School of Church Music in Sacred Music Studies
DipLCW(Open) - Diploma in Literature and Creative Writing (Open University)
DipVCMEd - Diploma of the Victoria College of Music in Speech and Drama Education
DipVCM(Hons) - Diploma of the Victoria College of Music with Honours in Composition
DipMusComp(ICMA) - Diploma in Music Composition (Independent Contemporary Music Awards)
CertGSMD(T) - Certificate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in Flute Teaching
CertRSCM - Certificate of the Royal School of Church Music in Sacred Music Studies
CertSocSci(Open) - Certificate in the Social Sciences (Open University)
CertHE(Wales) - Certificate of Higher Education in Sacred Music Studies (University of Wales, Bangor)
FNCM - Fellowship Diplma of the National College of Music in Composition
LNCM - Licentiate Diploma of the National College of Music in Composition
AVCM(Hons) - Associate Diploma of the Victoria College of Music with Honours in Drama Production
ANSCM - Associate Diploma of the Norwich School of Church Music
ALCM - Associate Diploma of the London College of Music in Composition
That is a lot of qualifications. Had you started gathering letters while you were at school?? Collecting letters must be an expensive hobby! As a singer I would be interested to gain some of those- did you gain the church music ones off your own bat, or through singing with a church choir? It makes such a difference if the exams are organised in a local location, rather than having to travel with accompaniset to far flung locations!
QUOTE(dcmbarton @ Jun 16 2009, 11:11 AM)
Well here goes (if I don't get shot down):
BA(Hons)(Open) - Bachelor of Arts Open Degree with Honours (Open University)
DipRSCM - Diploma of the Royal School of Church Music in Sacred Music Studies
DipLCW(Open) - Diploma in Literature and Creative Writing (Open University)
DipVCMEd - Diploma of the Victoria College of Music in Speech and Drama Education
DipVCM(Hons) - Diploma of the Victoria College of Music with Honours in Composition
DipMusComp(ICMA) - Diploma in Music Composition (Independent Contemporary Music Awards)
CertGSMD(T) - Certificate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in Flute Teaching
CertRSCM - Certificate of the Royal School of Church Music in Sacred Music Studies
CertSocSci(Open) - Certificate in the Social Sciences (Open University)
CertHE(Wales) - Certificate of Higher Education in Sacred Music Studies (University of Wales, Bangor)
FNCM - Fellowship Diplma of the National College of Music in Composition
LNCM - Licentiate Diploma of the National College of Music in Composition
AVCM(Hons) - Associate Diploma of the Victoria College of Music with Honours in Drama Production
ANSCM - Associate Diploma of the Norwich School of Church Music
ALCM - Associate Diploma of the London College of Music in Composition
I have had others in the past, but don't use them any longer. I tend to use them on letterheads, adverts etc. but only those which are relevant.
Around here, a lot of them are considered completely worthless (I shall sit back and wait for the tirade...) - from a personal perspective, every single one was worth doing and a challenge in itself. I worked extremely hard for them all and don't regret it for a moment. I have learnt so much and developed so many skills.
That is a lot of exams!! I don't know where you find the time! I'm sure they are very worthwhile though and the hard work required must make a real difference to the way you teach and look at things. Good on you!
My only one is the same as David's last one (ALCM) , ie Associate Diploma London College of Music ( but in Piano Performance). Unless you count BSc (Bachelor of Science) which was in Chemistry from Uni of Nottingham. I failed ATCL (Associate Diplome Trinity College) on the organ ! 
QUOTE(dcmbarton @ Jun 16 2009, 11:24 AM)
QUOTE(Phoenix River Song @ Jun 16 2009, 11:21 AM)
That is a lot of qualifications. Had you started gathering letters while you were at school?? Collecting letters must be an expensive hobby! As a singer I would be interested to gain some of those- did you gain the church music ones off your own bat, or through singing with a church choir? It makes such a difference if the exams are organised in a local location, rather than having to travel with accompaniset to far flung locations!
I certainly don't 'collect' them for the sake of it - I do them because they contribute to my understanding and my ability to carry out my work - it is certainly not the case as has been suggested previously by members of these forums that you pay the fee and get the letters - they are jolly hard work!
I did do the church music ones on my own (in fact, that goes for most of them!)
Argh- no sorry I didnt mean that in that it came across. I know full well the amount of hard work that goes into achieving letters. They are a side line of years of hard work, not the goal of the qualification. It was just a general throw away joke remark, the same as I joke that my degree was an expensive holiday from the real world! Obviously degrees are not holidays (unless the student decides to not put their back in to it). No offence was meant in any way, shape or form. Sorry if you read it another way- I had avoided joing forums for years because of seeing things interpreted in different ways and I have managed to stick my size 9s in it on the first day of this one!
I simply meant that when you add up the study materials, lessons, tutorials, travel, accompanyment, CDs, computer time etc it all becomes very expenisve to take the exams/units to get a qualification. Especially if the location is a distance from your house- like some of the London exams I have looked into (which would leve me with 6 hours travel, finding an accompanist and a warm up location..... and a very poorly bank balance.
I am assuming that all those qualifications took atleast a year to get (degree longer) which makes it about 18 years of study, and I think i read on here that you arent over 30- just some rough mathamatics. It is a great achievement.
Sorry again- It's my first day, I'm new!!
*Goes and grabs a ladder to help get myself out of the multiple holes I appear to have dug....*
I used to list some of mine here but changed my signature recently and decided that I would erase them. 
I have an F.L.C.M. in recorder performance, L.T.C.L's in piano playing, classical singing, recorder and 'cello. (Yes, that was a long time ago and I never use it now. I have burnt the certificate too! 
) and an A.L.C.M. in theory and practice of composition as well as the college dips. I am pleased to boast that I have decent qualifications in the subjects that I teach!
My dog has some pretty impressive-looking post nominals too!
I have an F.L.C.M. in recorder performance, L.T.C.L's in piano playing, classical singing, recorder and 'cello. (Yes, that was a long time ago and I never use it now. I have burnt the certificate too! ) and an A.L.C.M. in theory and practice of composition as well as the college dips. I am pleased to boast that I have decent qualifications in the subjects that I teach!My dog has some pretty impressive-looking post nominals too!
Well it is easier to throw stones than to look inwards. You obviously love what you do and enjoy the challanges- which will come across to your students. Personally I think that any study is good. You must have felt very proud to have got to the end of six years degree study. Most of my friends had had enough after 2!
Oops still getting the hang of these boards.
Yes I am hooked too. I am taking my first diploma in July. Which I am worried about, but I want to keep my own learning progressing.
Yes I am hooked too. I am taking my first diploma in July. Which I am worried about, but I want to keep my own learning progressing.
B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) and Adv.Dip.BKA (British Kodály Academy's Advanced Musicianship Diploma with Distinction).
And, no, I very, very rarely use either of them.
And, no, I very, very rarely use either of them.
Well you looked to have done quite well so far ! Phoenix River Snog, sorry ! Song
Phoenix River Snog, sorry ! Song
QUOTE(fsharpminor @ Jun 16 2009, 02:37 PM)
Well you looked to have done quite well so far !
Phoenix River Snog, sorry ! SongThank you- and what have you started?!
QUOTE(Cyrilla @ Jun 16 2009, 02:08 PM)
B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) and Adv.Dip.BKA (British Kodály Academy's Advanced Musicianship Diploma with Distinction).
And, no, I very, very rarely use either of them.
What Kodaly qualifications are there? (to save me going and looking at the website). Have you found it useful specifically in your approach to music teaching? Or just useful to know and use in patches here and there?
I have one music qualification - LGSM, one teaching qualification - Cert. Ed (this was the one you got before you had to have a degree to teach in the state system). This counted as a first degree when I applied to do a Masters, so I've got MSc. too.
Were they worth it? Yes, yes and yes. Although I wasn't keen to be a teacher when I went to college, I've spent nearly all my working career in education so I'm very glad I did go as it has enabled me to work in education whenever, and wherever I've wanted to. The MSc really helped in getting me my research job in a university, and as soon as they discovered I had the Cert Ed I was drafted in to do some lecturing too. The LGSM got me more money when I was teaching in a private music school. All of them make me feel I have achieved something to be proud of.
Were they worth it? Yes, yes and yes. Although I wasn't keen to be a teacher when I went to college, I've spent nearly all my working career in education so I'm very glad I did go as it has enabled me to work in education whenever, and wherever I've wanted to. The MSc really helped in getting me my research job in a university, and as soon as they discovered I had the Cert Ed I was drafted in to do some lecturing too. The LGSM got me more money when I was teaching in a private music school. All of them make me feel I have achieved something to be proud of.
QUOTE(Phoenix River Song @ Jun 16 2009, 03:01 PM)
What Kodaly qualifications are there? (to save me going and looking at the website). Have you found it useful specifically in your approach to music teaching? Or just useful to know and use in patches here and there?
Er...well, it IS my approach to music teaching!
And, um, it's ALL I do and certainly don't use it 'in patches here and there' *lol*.
As for K qualifications - there are three levels of Musicianship (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced), which is developing your own musicianship - and there are methodology (ie the 'how to teach it') courses called Springboard (Modules 1 and 2) and then Sound Beginnings (0-5 year olds) and Sound Progressions (5-11 year olds). The methodology courses are run in conjunction with Roehampton University and the musicianship ones are run by the British Kodály Academy and the Kodály Centre of London.
QUOTE(Cyrilla @ Jun 16 2009, 04:24 PM)
QUOTE(Phoenix River Song @ Jun 16 2009, 03:01 PM)
What Kodaly qualifications are there? (to save me going and looking at the website). Have you found it useful specifically in your approach to music teaching? Or just useful to know and use in patches here and there?
Er...well, it IS my approach to music teaching!
And, um, it's ALL I do and certainly don't use it 'in patches here and there' *lol*.
As for K qualifications - there are three levels of Musicianship (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced), which is developing your own musicianship - and there are methodology (ie the 'how to teach it') courses called Springboard (Modules 1 and 2) and then Sound Beginnings (0-5 year olds) and Sound Progressions (5-11 year olds). The methodology courses are run in conjunction with Roehampton University and the musicianship ones are run by the British Kodály Academy and the Kodály Centre of London.
Oops, sorry I dont know much about it, but I think I should have just read a bit more before posting! Having looked at your post and found the website, it sounds very interesting. Had you had much contact with Kodaly before you started the course? (I think it is obvious that I havent- or if i have then they didnt tell me that it was Kodaly!)
MusB (Bachelor of Music - not a BMus as when Manchester University were still awarding the RNCM degrees they gave the BMus to them!), PGCE SpIT (PGCE in Specialist Instrumental Teaching) and DipABRSM (Diploma in Clarinet Teaching).
I think they were all worth it. There were many parts of my music degree that I didn't enjoy - I didn't seem to quite fit in with the other musicians so I was very surprised to get a 2:1. The PGCE is the qualification that I'd recommend to everyone - yes it's a year of a lot of hard work but it's worth a lot. I didn't find the DipABRSM too difficult, maybe as I'd been surrounded by clarinet teaching in a very intense manner for the past few years. I wish I could do the next step up but there are too many practical considerations getting in the way.
I think they were all worth it. There were many parts of my music degree that I didn't enjoy - I didn't seem to quite fit in with the other musicians so I was very surprised to get a 2:1. The PGCE is the qualification that I'd recommend to everyone - yes it's a year of a lot of hard work but it's worth a lot. I didn't find the DipABRSM too difficult, maybe as I'd been surrounded by clarinet teaching in a very intense manner for the past few years. I wish I could do the next step up but there are too many practical considerations getting in the way.
MBChB (medicinæ baccalaureus, chirurgiæ baccalaureus) - a basic medical degree. Gives me the honorary title of doctor, but isn't a doctorate 
MRCGP (member of the royal college of general practitioners)
Both of the above worth doing because they give me the right to apply for jobs in my chosen career.
Then ATCL (associate of Trinity College London) in recorder playing. I had applied next to do LTCL, the licentiate equivalent, but for some reason they've issued me with LGSMD, or licentiate of Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Same qualification since the two colleges merged, but means I could technically have both sets up after my name, rather than dropping the "A" once I'd got the "L". Both were worth doing because they enabled me to focus on learning to play better in a way which I couldn't without those goals ahead of me (it's a personality thing: I need something to work towards, and have few other opportunities). But neither set of postnoms generally finds itself on any letterhead or anything I write to anybody - their purpose was served even before I gained them really, because I'd achieved what I intended to just by sitting those exams successfully.
MRCGP (member of the royal college of general practitioners)
Both of the above worth doing because they give me the right to apply for jobs in my chosen career.
Then ATCL (associate of Trinity College London) in recorder playing. I had applied next to do LTCL, the licentiate equivalent, but for some reason they've issued me with LGSMD, or licentiate of Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Same qualification since the two colleges merged, but means I could technically have both sets up after my name, rather than dropping the "A" once I'd got the "L". Both were worth doing because they enabled me to focus on learning to play better in a way which I couldn't without those goals ahead of me (it's a personality thing: I need something to work towards, and have few other opportunities). But neither set of postnoms generally finds itself on any letterhead or anything I write to anybody - their purpose was served even before I gained them really, because I'd achieved what I intended to just by sitting those exams successfully.
QUOTE(Phoenix River Song @ Jun 16 2009, 05:02 PM)
Oops, sorry I dont know much about it, but I think I should have just read a bit more before posting! Having looked at your post and found the website, it sounds very interesting. Had you had much contact with Kodaly before you started the course? (I think it is obvious that I havent- or if i have then they didnt tell me that it was Kodaly!)
I'll PM you - don't want to bore the pants off everyone any more than necessary!
Current qualifications:
BA (Hons) Oxon - Bachelor of Arts from Oxford University. In Mathematics.
LTCL - Licentiate of Trinity College London. In singing
DipABRSM - Diploma of the Associated Board of the thingummy wotsit. In teaching singing.
Handed back 'cos I don't pay the rental any more:
ACA - Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. In accountancy.
I can't think of any time I used my postnominals while I was an accountant.
These days the current ones are on my business cards and publicity materials, and on pupils' exam certificates, but that's all.
BA (Hons) Oxon - Bachelor of Arts from Oxford University. In Mathematics.
LTCL - Licentiate of Trinity College London. In singing
DipABRSM - Diploma of the Associated Board of the thingummy wotsit. In teaching singing.
Handed back 'cos I don't pay the rental any more:
ACA - Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. In accountancy.
I can't think of any time I used my postnominals while I was an accountant.
These days the current ones are on my business cards and publicity materials, and on pupils' exam certificates, but that's all.
QUOTE(Clare1986 @ Jun 16 2009, 05:50 PM)
MusB (Bachelor of Music - not a BMus as when Manchester University were still awarding the RNCM degrees they gave the BMus to them!), PGCE SpIT (PGCE in Specialist Instrumental Teaching) and DipABRSM (Diploma in Clarinet Teaching).
I think they were all worth it. There were many parts of my music degree that I didn't enjoy - I didn't seem to quite fit in with the other musicians so I was very surprised to get a 2:1. The PGCE is the qualification that I'd recommend to everyone - yes it's a year of a lot of hard work but it's worth a lot. I didn't find the DipABRSM too difficult, maybe as I'd been surrounded by clarinet teaching in a very intense manner for the past few years. I wish I could do the next step up but there are too many practical considerations getting in the way.
I had been reading old posts on PGCE vs PGCE SpIT vs CTABRSM vs DipABRSM Teaching. All very interesting.
QUOTE(katyjay @ Jun 16 2009, 08:46 PM)
Current qualifications:
BA (Hons) Oxon - Bachelor of Arts from Oxford University. In Mathematics.
LTCL - Licentiate of Trinity College London. In singing
DipABRSM - Diploma of the Associated Board of the thingummy wotsit. In teaching singing.
Handed back 'cos I don't pay the rental any more:
ACA - Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. In accountancy.
I can't think of any time I used my postnominals while I was an accountant.
These days the current ones are on my business cards and publicity materials, and on pupils' exam certificates, but that's all.
Well they do say Mathematics and Music go well together.
From my nursing career, I have:
RNMH (Registerd Nurse in Mental Handicap (now known as Learning Disabilities))
ENB 998 Teaching and Assessing
ENB 936 Professional Development
Certificate in Venepuncture
NVQ Assessors Certificate
Minibus Driving Certificate
Dignified (hmm..debatable!) Control and Restraint Techniques Trainer and Assesors Certificate
Certificate in Sign Language (BSL and Makaton)
Plus lots more from attending study days.
I used the RNMH when applying for jobs or writing official letters.
In Music (apart from grades), I just have a Dip. Mus (Open) (Diploma in Music Open University)
Almost completed a BA(Hons) Humanities with Music Degree. (Also with the OU).
I use the Dip. Mus. when writing to students or entering them for exams.
RNMH (Registerd Nurse in Mental Handicap (now known as Learning Disabilities))
ENB 998 Teaching and Assessing
ENB 936 Professional Development
Certificate in Venepuncture
NVQ Assessors Certificate
Minibus Driving Certificate
Dignified (hmm..debatable!) Control and Restraint Techniques Trainer and Assesors Certificate
Certificate in Sign Language (BSL and Makaton)
Plus lots more from attending study days.
I used the RNMH when applying for jobs or writing official letters.
In Music (apart from grades), I just have a Dip. Mus (Open) (Diploma in Music Open University)
Almost completed a BA(Hons) Humanities with Music Degree. (Also with the OU).
I use the Dip. Mus. when writing to students or entering them for exams.
Venepuncture sounds interesting, what is it ????? 
QUOTE(fsharpminor @ Jun 17 2009, 02:20 PM)
Venepuncture sounds interesting, what is it ?????
Taking blood for testing!
QUOTE(dcmbarton @ Jun 16 2009, 11:59 AM)
QUOTE(Phoenix River Song @ Jun 16 2009, 11:57 AM)
You must have felt very proud to have got to the end of six years degree study.
I was; trouble was, I was hooked!
Yes, studying does have that effect! I haven't done any serious study since finishing my Instrumental Teaching Certificate last year. It was a pilot course and was phenomenally hard work, so I have been really glad of the break. But I am sure before long I will be itching to get stuck into something again. Just trying to decide what......
Do I use them? Well, I use the music post-nominals (as in my signature) on my business cards and letterheads, but that's all. The other ones I have acquired over the years I don't use at all.
QUOTE(Clare1986 @ Jun 16 2009, 05:50 PM)
MusB (Bachelor of Music - not a BMus as when Manchester University were still awarding the RNCM degrees they gave the BMus to them!), PGCE SpIT (PGCE in Specialist Instrumental Teaching) and DipABRSM (Diploma in Clarinet Teaching).
SpIT??
They're havin' a larf! Reminds me of that silly dog puppet from the 1980s! Why not just PGCE SIT? Someone was rubbing their hands together in glee at getting that one through!(NB I'm not criticising the qualification, just the acronym made me chuckle!)
BMus(Hons) - self explanatory, the Honours bit took 4 years, there was an opt out Ordinary after 3
MA - a studied one, not the ones they give you for free from Oxbridge
FRCO- Fellow Royal College Organists
FTCL - Fellow Trinity College London
Lots of stories about what the rco really stands for; ARCO (A Reasonably Competent Organist), FRCO (Former Reasonably Competetent Organist), I know I'm up there to be shot at!
MA - a studied one, not the ones they give you for free from Oxbridge
FRCO- Fellow Royal College Organists
FTCL - Fellow Trinity College London
Lots of stories about what the rco really stands for; ARCO (A Reasonably Competent Organist), FRCO (Former Reasonably Competetent Organist), I know I'm up there to be shot at!
QUOTE(Misterioso @ Jun 17 2009, 07:13 PM)
QUOTE(dcmbarton @ Jun 16 2009, 11:59 AM)
QUOTE(Phoenix River Song @ Jun 16 2009, 11:57 AM)
You must have felt very proud to have got to the end of six years degree study.
I was; trouble was, I was hooked!
Yes, studying does have that effect! I haven't done any serious study since finishing my Instrumental Teaching Certificate last year. It was a pilot course and was phenomenally hard work, so I have been really glad of the break. But I am sure before long I will be itching to get stuck into something again. Just trying to decide what......
Instrumental Teaching Certificate sounds interesting. It is still being piloted?
QUOTE(guilmant @ Jun 17 2009, 10:23 PM)
Lots of stories about what the rco really stands for; ARCO (A Reasonably Competent Organist), FRCO (Former Reasonably Competetent Organist), I know I'm up there to be shot at!
I havent heard those stories- made me laugh.
BA(Hons) in Music
MA (like Guilmant, an earned one) in Music
FRSM - Fellow of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
LRSM - Licentiate of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
FTCL - Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London
FLCM - Fellow of the London College of Music (in different subjects)
LLCM - Licentiate of the London College of Music (in different subjects)
ARCM - Associate of the Royal College of Music
PGCE - Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Secondary education)
Plus a couple of honorary ones I was given in the past....
MA (like Guilmant, an earned one) in Music
FRSM - Fellow of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
LRSM - Licentiate of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
FTCL - Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London
FLCM - Fellow of the London College of Music (in different subjects)
LLCM - Licentiate of the London College of Music (in different subjects)
ARCM - Associate of the Royal College of Music
PGCE - Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Secondary education)
Plus a couple of honorary ones I was given in the past....
QUOTE(Holz Gedeckt @ Jun 17 2009, 11:16 PM)
BA(Hons) in Music
MA (like Guilmant, an earned one) in Music
FRSM - Fellow of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
LRSM - Licentiate of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
FTCL - Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London
FLCM - Fellow of the London College of Music (in different subjects)
LLCM - Licentiate of the London College of Music (in different subjects)
ARCM - Associate of the Royal College of Music
PGCE - Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Secondary education)
Plus a couple of honorary ones I was given in the past....
I think you need to join "Diploma Takers Anonymous" - MrB will have the contact details
Should I add my membership of Sooty's Magic Circle, (probably lapsed by now,) my Red Cross certificates in first aid and home nursing, my junior swimmer and my Blue Peter badges too? And then also my membership of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, (also lapsed) and Anglesey Show awards too? I feel that some of these would carry far more weight with many of my pupils than my music ones.
QUOTE(petrat @ Jun 18 2009, 09:53 AM)
Should I add my membership of Sooty's Magic Circle, (probably lapsed by now,) my Red Cross certificates in frist aid and home nursing, my junior swimmer and my Blue Peter badges too? And then also my membership of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, (also lapsed) and Anglesey Show awards too? I feel that some of these would carry far more weight with many of my pupils than my music ones.
The first aid training is very important in teaching. I dread the days I have to use first aid! Raises a question of how many people are trained.
How could I forget my First Aiders certificate!
And my Silver Duke of Edinburghs' Award
And my Queen's Guide Award!
And my second prize baby competition certificate from 1963?
*Sorry, Phoenix*
And my Silver Duke of Edinburghs' Award
And my Queen's Guide Award!
And my second prize baby competition certificate from 1963?
*Sorry, Phoenix*
QUOTE(Phoenix River Song @ Jun 17 2009, 10:57 PM)
Instrumental Teaching Certificate sounds interesting. It is still being piloted?
No - towards the end of the first presentation it was validated by RSAMD. It was set up to help remote students to become qualified teachers, because of the difficulty and cost involved in getting to the mainland and back on a regular basis. But it was really interesting, and I learned loads from it.
I'm starting to feel dreadfully inadequate.
QUOTE(Misterioso @ Jun 18 2009, 11:01 AM)
QUOTE(Phoenix River Song @ Jun 17 2009, 10:57 PM)
Instrumental Teaching Certificate sounds interesting. It is still being piloted?
No - towards the end of the first presentation it was validated by RSAMD. It was set up to help remote students to become qualified teachers, because of the difficulty and cost involved in getting to the mainland and back on a regular basis. But it was really interesting, and I learned loads from it.
I dont know how long courses normally take to validate but only asked out of interest for potentially studying the course, and also I knew someone who was on a course in London which, according to the website' is awaiting validation. (This has been the case for 5 years so my friend doesnt quite know how to explain it!!!) Studying is expensive enough without being in a remote location and having to factor in regular plane or boat travel! What an opportunity to have.
QUOTE(susiejean @ Jun 18 2009, 11:34 AM)
I'm starting to feel dreadfully inadequate.
I think that's the point of them.
QUOTE(susiejean @ Jun 18 2009, 11:34 AM)
I'm starting to feel dreadfully inadequate.
Please don't I didnt start this thread to make people feel bad. Life is the best teacher, not how many qualifications or exams you have. As someone else said here, their real learning began AFTER the qualification/study. Qualifictions are good to have, but they are not the be all and end all. Experience does count for something- teamed with knowledge and the improvement seen in your pupils. I know plenty of people on paper who should be able to teach, but in reality i have heard some horror stories- including first hand experiences of teachers at degree and postgraduate level music colleges.
Plus a lot of graduates are now finding it very hard to get work because employers want experience.
Anyway don't feel inadequate. This is not a competition thread, just a safe place to share what different routes and approaches we have. 7 years teaching is an achievement, and one that you could use easily if you take any further exams etc.
I know several graduates who would kill to have built up 7 years teaching experience!
What an interesting question!
Mine are
ARCM -Associate of the Royal College of Music which I did for Performance.
LRAM -Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music which I did for teaching.
GRSM Dip Ed. - Graduate of the Royal Schools of Music Diploma of Education which qualifies me to teach in schools.
I don't use them on a regular basis but if I give a concert I usually use GRSM Dip Ed which goes after my name in the programme or advert.
I always feel really proud to be reminded of the hard work that went into these qualifications over 40 years ago!
Barbara
Mine are
ARCM -Associate of the Royal College of Music which I did for Performance.
LRAM -Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music which I did for teaching.
GRSM Dip Ed. - Graduate of the Royal Schools of Music Diploma of Education which qualifies me to teach in schools.
I don't use them on a regular basis but if I give a concert I usually use GRSM Dip Ed which goes after my name in the programme or advert.
I always feel really proud to be reminded of the hard work that went into these qualifications over 40 years ago!
Barbara
I'm noticing that not many have DipABRSM. I wonder if it's a bit prohibitive. I would have loved to have had it, but I needed G8 first, and the time and money required for both exams was just a no-no for me. I've often wondered if Trinity might be a more realistic goal for someone who chases their own tail from dawn to dusk. Possibly not...................
QUOTE(susiejean @ Jun 18 2009, 01:32 PM)
I'm noticing that not many have DipABRSM. I wonder if it's a bit prohibitive. I would have loved to have had it, but I needed G8 first, and the time and money required for both exams was just a no-no for me.
I looked into this a few years ago ... I have grade 8 but on a different instrument. I'd probably have to have (re-) taken grade 5 theory to qualify to do grade 8. Despite having various diplomas - including ARCM with special harmony paper.
I ended up feeling there were just too many hoops to jump through.
I had assumed that it was because it's a more recently available diploma, but I may be wrong. What is the convention regarding the AB diplomata, does someone with LRSM then drop the dipABRSM in their listings, since the latter is a prerequisite for the former?
QUOTE(maledictis @ Jun 18 2009, 09:47 AM)
QUOTE(Holz Gedeckt @ Jun 17 2009, 11:16 PM)
BA(Hons) in Music
MA (like Guilmant, an earned one) in Music
FRSM - Fellow of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
LRSM - Licentiate of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
FTCL - Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London
FLCM - Fellow of the London College of Music (in different subjects)
LLCM - Licentiate of the London College of Music (in different subjects)
ARCM - Associate of the Royal College of Music
PGCE - Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Secondary education)
Plus a couple of honorary ones I was given in the past....
I think you need to join "Diploma Takers Anonymous" - MrB will have the contact details
QUOTE(anacrusis @ Jun 18 2009, 02:49 PM)
I had assumed that it was because it's a more recently available diploma, but I may be wrong. What is the convention regarding the AB diplomata, does someone with LRSM then drop the dipABRSM in their listings, since the latter is a prerequisite for the former?
I assume I will (I hope!). However, I have two DipABRSMs, one in performance and one in teaching. So if (when?) I get the LRSM in performance, can I still use the DipABRSM as a separate post-nominal because it's a teaching dip?
QUOTE(Clare1986 @ Jun 18 2009, 07:55 PM)
Hehe I know! They explained to us on the first day of the course that they chose SpIT over SIT as they thought it was too easy to say instead of sit by accident!
Yeah, that happens to me all the time when I'm asking pupils to sit down.
QUOTE(Holz Gedeckt @ Jun 17 2009, 11:16 PM)
BA(Hons) in Music
MA (like Guilmant, an earned one) in Music
FRSM - Fellow of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
LRSM - Licentiate of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
FTCL - Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London
FLCM - Fellow of the London College of Music (in different subjects)
LLCM - Licentiate of the London College of Music (in different subjects)
ARCM - Associate of the Royal College of Music
PGCE - Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Secondary education)
Plus a couple of honorary ones I was given in the past....
It's a bit cheaty to include letters which have been superseded by higher attainment is it not? If we were playing that game I would lay claim to
CertMath(Open)
BSc(CompSci)(Soton)
PGCert(Music)(Open)
MA(Music)(Open)
DipABRSM
LRSM
FRSM
ALCM
LLCM
FLCM
ATCL
LTCL
ARCO
AMBCS
MBCS CITP
FBCS CITP
CEng
Seems a bit OTT tho
QUOTE(confutatis @ Jun 18 2009, 08:52 PM)
Seems a bit OTT tho
You are a bit OTT darling
MA Cantab
ARCM (performers')
PGCE
CTABRSM
Dip TEFL (not a music qualification - teaching English as a Foreign Language)
ARCM (performers')
PGCE
CTABRSM
Dip TEFL (not a music qualification - teaching English as a Foreign Language)
QUOTE(chocolatedog @ Jun 18 2009, 11:09 PM)
MA Cantab
ARCM (performers')
PGCE
CTABRSM
Dip TEFL (not a music qualification - teaching English as a Foreign Language)
What is your MA im? (If you dont mind me asking!)
I had a pupil come from another teacher who was ARAM. I'm not sure what it is as everyone said she had no teaching qualification.
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