Soo... a few questions that I can't seemed to get answered anywhere else!
1) Can someone please plain and simple outline the diploma to me, I know about 35minutes of performance, but what is via voice etc and can you get sight reading books for diploma etc?
2) there is some differences on how much it costs...
3) what is this about the dress code?
4) How hard is it compared to grade 8 like it is a suitable upgrade or is it a huge leap?
5) Roughly how long do people take to prepare for it
6) are scales involved
7) finally.. do people feel it is worth it?
many thanks

Questions 1,3 and 6 can be found by reading the syllabus. you can find it online from This page.
It may also go some way to answering question 4 for you though if by upgrade you are thinking of it being like grade 9 you are some way off the mark.
Not sure where the current prices are but I'd start with the above link.

How long to prepare? Depends on too many variables like where you are at now, how long it takes you to learn things, what performing experience you have and possibly also the quality of the teaching you have had and are having.

Question 7........ I suppose people wouldn't do it if they didn't think it was worth it and it depends on how you define worth.

Some of the answers may differ slightly if you opt for a different exam board.

1. In addition to the performance component (31.5-38.5 minutes), there is the Viva Voce: you need to have programme notes (990-1210 words) prepared and be able to discuss your pieces, the composers, musical context, form, etc. with the examiners. Then there is the Quick Study: you have 5 minutes to learn a piece of about grade 6 difficulty and two pages in length. I don't know of any actual books, but to prepare I just looked at the grade 6 syllabus and tried pieces from there.

2. It depends on where you are from; in my part of the US, it costs ~$250...

3. I think this is subjective. My teacher told me to treat it as though I were giving a regular solo recital, so I wore a dress and nice flats (would have worn heels, but I'm paranoid about pedalling in them!). Then again, I'm comfortable in dresses - if I hadn't been, maybe I would have relaxed this somewhat. Basically, I think one should dress as well as possible without becoming uncomfortable.

4 and 5. These are difficult questions to answer because there is a huge variety in people who pass grade 8, and the skills tested in the diploma are a little different. I found grade 8 manageable - learned the pieces in 3-4 months (while also working on other things) and did decently well on them (26, 27, 27). The other strong component of my grade 8 exam was the last aural test (identifying musical period and discussing aspects of style) - the examiner specifically complimented this test and I think it was this and the pieces which led him to give me exactly 130 marks, even though the other aural tests and scales were weak. About two months later, my teacher proposed that I enter for DipABRSM the following session, on the grounds that my strengths for grade 8 were exactly the skills transferable to the diploma. This gave me 5 months of preparation time, which wasn't enough for me - I ended up failing the recital section by two marks. I retook the exam a few weeks ago (making it one year since grade 8), and though I don't know what the outcome will be I feel a lot more secure about it.

Sorry about the long-winded ramble, but the short answer is that it depends. The level of musical maturity expected for DipABRSM is higher than grade 8, but this aspect was not a problem for me since the examiners of both exams complimented my musical intentions. What did become a problem was the demands on technique, stamina, and ability to perform under pressure - though I was affected by pressure to the same degree in grade 8 and in DipABRSM, the difference in technical expectations and the sheer amount of music required meant that this pulled me below the passing threshold in DipABRSM. You need to assess your own strengths and weaknesses to determine how much of a reach DipABRSM is for you.

6. Not in the slightest!

7. Again, it depends. I personally feel that my playing has improved drastically - 1.5 years ago I never would have dreamed I was capable of performing a full, albeit short, recital programme at the level that I have. Performing for the diploma and in preparation for the diploma has gradually made me more comfortable with performance anxiety - though I struggle a bit, I can feel that I have improved, and my recent diploma performance was one of the least nervous I have ever had, with no memory slips! (Memory problems have plagued me for the longest time...) I have more confidence in my skills, and much more music seems approachable to me.

This is what the diploma has done for me, and I don't even have the certificate. The certificate itself is of somewhat less use to me, since I'm not formally studying music, but I still think it might be useful if I ever want to do a bit of beginner teaching on the side. But for me, the main importance of the diploma was to serve as a goal. Others for whom music is a primary occupation can tell you about the "practical" worth of the diploma.

no-one will spot it if I post it here...I'm planning to finally do a diploma next year...

BOO!

*jumps*

Excellent news!!

YAY.... which one?

ATCL

Thanks for the good wishes everyone!

good luck then......... that'll be fun! Teachers or performance?

Performing Thanks for your good luck wishes!

Good news barry-clari!!



Does this mean you have to play from memory if you go for the diploma?

Thanks for your good wishes



You can, but you don't have to : with the exception of singing diplomas, where for the most part you have to sing from memory (I say the most part - perhaps a singer will confirm that you can sing oratorio from the music in a diploma )

That's correct, oratorio can be sung from the music.

Oooh, all the best Won't wish you good luck because you won't need it

Yep, just call me Mrs Motivator

Barry, you'll walk it, and if, for whatever reason, you aren't barry-clari BA (Hons) ATCL by the end of 2011, there is officially No Justice In This World, and I shall write to my MP using my finest green ink. So there!

Congratulations in advance! That covers the "official" entry, getting your programme (I think I've started to spell that the British way thanks to too much time on this forum ) approved, getting through on the exam day, AND passing!

Pleased to hear that you're going for your Dip, Barry. Do keep us posted on your choice of programme, and when the exam will be - I think the date varies from place to place with Trinity.

Lots of luck - not that you'll need it.

I didn't spot this, but I did spot all the replies to it

All the best!

WRONG!! I SPOTTED IT TOO!!






Go for it Barry !!!

all the best with it Barry you'll be fab

All the very best Barry, look forward to hearing you play some of your programme at a forum event

Thanks pianophrase, and yes, this will happen, starting with Glasgow in April

I am also interested in your way to the diploma. Nice to hear, that you will let us take part on this.

And thank you for your answer. Right now I can't imagine to play 35 minutes from memory.

Woooo cant wait to hear it Barry!!!!

Call me an old grumpy-boots, but wouldn't it have been more respectful to the OP to announce this news in a separate thread instead of hi-jacking the OP's? A bit disingenuous, surely, to think no-one would respond to it? Just my opinion though.



I'm sorry I can't answer your questions, nomad248, but maybe you'll have some more responses in due course if the thread gets back on-topic.

1) Can someone please plain and simple outline the diploma to me, I know about 35minutes of
performance, but what is via voice etc and can you get sight reading books for diploma etc?
The diploma has a 35min recital. You will have to write programme notes (see syllabus to check word limit) and you Viva Voce is a discussion with the examiner/s about your repetoire and programme notes - this could cover historical aspects, difficulties in learning, structure and form etc.. You also do a Quick Study

3) what is this about the dress code?
Some smart, formal clothes are excpected to be worn simply because you are turning up to earn a qualification. Don't get to worried about this.

4) How hard is it compared to grade 8 like it is a suitable upgrade or is it a huge leap?
It depends on whether you just scraped a pass at Gr 8 or earned a convincing distinction. I'd say it's quite a big leap though and is not just a 'Grade 9'.

5) Roughly how long do people take to prepare for it
I am taking just under a year to prepare for mine between Grade 8 and diploma.

6) are scales involved
Scales aren't tested bu I would practice themeveryday as if they were because they are so incredibly useful. I'd add extra scales too such as scales in octaves and staccato arpeggios.

7) finally.. do people feel it is worth it?
I think it's definitely worth it particulary if you want to become a teacher or enter into a conservatiore. The diploma or other similar standard qualifications are sometimes needed to be considered for ceratin schoalrships. Good luck with your future music making

And good luck to you too b-c

To the OP - note that AB, TG and LCM all do diploma-level exams...the requirements are different for each. They each have requirements on their websites.

Barry-clari is taking an ATCL (with TG), which involves a 32-38 minute recital + programme notes. There are no pre-requisites

An AB DipABRSM is 35 minute recital, programme notes, viva voce and quick study. You must have G8 on the instrument you are taking the diploma in.

LCM have ALCM...and there are four different ALCM options!
1) Standard option 1 - Technical work, 20-25 minute programme, Viva voce, Sight reading, Aural tests. Pre-req is G5 theory.
2) Standard option 2 - Technical work, 20-25 minute programme and then one of Viva voce or Sight reading or Aural tests. Pre-req is G8 theory.
3) Recital option 1 - 40-45 minute programme, Extended essay (3000 words) and Viva voce. Pre-req is G5 theory.
4) Recital option 2 - 40-45 minute programme and Viva voce. Pre-req is G8 theory.

The thing to really look out for in the ALCMs is how the different options stack up your marks. In 1), the technical work (scales) is worth 12%...but take 2), and technical work is 24%! Nearly a quarter of the marks! Not one to take if you are a scale-phobe!

Each board has the syllabus online and these are great starting points with lots of details (possibly too much for a first read!!)

Oh, and in case anybody is wondering, one day I was curious as to how all the different diploma options compared - so I made a spreadsheet of the dips / pre-reqs / requirements / etc. And saved it because I was bound to want to look at it again someday

That's a really useful summary! I knew about ATCL/DipABRSM but had no idea about ALCM. Thanks.

Great post! Thanks Maizie! Really useful when Recorder teacher keeps hinting at Dips. Wondering how long before he's joined by Sax Teacher .