Hi, has anyone else read Clara Taylor's report on problems in exams? I found it really interesting. I couldn't believe the story of a candidate who stopped part way through their sight-reading test to take an incoming call on their mobile, and then resumed afterwards!!!!!!! She added that the break in the pulse was mentioned on the mark form!

Yes, I read it yesterday. Unbelievable (well almost!)

Maggie

is it readable online?

that is almost unbelievable... I wonder if the candidate complained or was suitably embarrassed??!

I think some articles are readable online, maybe not the whole thing. But I could be wrong - maybe worth a search around the website.

The article cited two examples of candidates with mobile phones; one apparently answered "Hello ? Oh Dad, I'm doing it NOW!" The other was in the middle of the sight-reading test, and stopped to take the call.

You might like to get on the mailing list for Libretto if you can't find it online; try a fax to 020-7467-8258

Maggie

I like your new signature, Maggie!

answering a mobile in the middle of an exam?!!! great!!!

Look- I think you can read issues of Libretto there, but I haven't actually tried it out.

Which issue is it? Could someone tell me, thankyou?

QUOTE

Which issue is it? Could someone tell me, thankyou?

It's 2005 no 1 - mine came yesterday.

Thanks Cecilia - I will try that out.
(not that I need to since I've read it - but out of interest!!)

Maggie

ps yes - it works. Well done. However the latest issue doesn't seem to be online yet. You can read previous ones though. I guess the latest will be there soon.

My Libretto came today, and I was also amused by the trombonist!!! Also by the people that just refuse point-blank to play scales in an exam - how stupid is that?!

Can you tell me about Libretto? Is it free? The article isn't online yet, can anyone give me the gist of what it said?

yeah i want to get Libretto

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Jan 12 2005, 07:13 PM)

can anyone give me the gist of what it said?

Yes this is roughly what it covered -

PROBLEMS IN EXAMS - CLARA TAYLOR, CHIEF EXAMINER

The scales re-player [/B]- the person that keeps on restarting the scales over and over again

Candidate, plus instrument in case, plus coat, plus music - not coming into the exam room properly prepared

Glasses left behind - many adults arrive without the right glasses and have to go back to get them

Mobile phone user - taking calls in the exam, even the middle of a sightreading test! (I like this one!!)

Actually I don't do scales - some candidates refuse to play any scales at all

Sad scales syndrome - accomplished pieces can be followed by poor scales

Mispronouncing singer - it can be hard for the examiner to find the songs on the syllabus if they are mispronouced (suggested that they are written down)

Accompaniments - accompanists are not meant to mouth the words to the singers! They can also drown out the pupil as they try to musically encourage.

A reminder that examiners are not allowed to page-trun or to tune instruments.

Clara finished the article by saying that standards had remained the same last year, with the average mark being 117.

QUOTE (trio @ Jan 13 2005, 04:51 PM)

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Jan 12 2005, 07:13 PM) can anyone give me the gist of what it said? Yes this is roughly what it covered - PROBLEMS IN EXAMS - CLARA TAYLOR, CHIEF EXAMINER The scales re-player [/B]- the person that keeps on restarting the scales over and over again Candidate, plus instrument in case, plus coat, plus music - not coming into the exam room properly prepared Glasses left behind - many adults arrive without the right glasses and have to go back to get them Mobile phone user - taking calls in the exam, even the middle of a sightreading test! (I like this one!!) Actually I don't do scales - some candidates refuse to play any scales at all Sad scales syndrome - accomplished pieces can be followed by poor scales Mispronouncing singer - it can be hard for the examiner to find the songs on the syllabus if they are mispronouced (suggested that they are written down) Accompaniments - accompanists are not meant to mouth the words to the singers! They can also drown out the pupil as they try to musically encourage. A reminder that examiners are not allowed to page-trun or to tune instruments. Clara finished the article by saying that standards had remained the same last year, with the average mark being 117.

How interesting. I wish I got Libretto too.

QUOTE (Student @ Jan 13 2005, 09:01 AM)

Clara finished the article by saying that standards had remained the same last year, with the average mark being 117.

Well, that makes me well below average!!

QUOTE (Silver pianist @ Jan 13 2005, 10:01 AM)

QUOTE (Student @ Jan 13 2005, 09:01 AM) Clara finished the article by saying that standards had remained the same last year, with the average mark being 117. Well, that makes me well below average!!

Ah! But this depends on the kind of 'average' - mean, median or mode. ..And does the 'averaging' include the marks of those who failed? (Sorry - can't resist!)

I did a quick calculation on the 2003 stats for G6 whilst I was waiting for my results (sad paranoid person that i am...): In 2003, for G6,

47% Pass
30% Merit
15% Distinction
8% Fail

So, SP - Be happy! ...we are in the top 92%!! ....................................

Cressida

QUOTE (cressida @ Jan 13 2005, 10:31 AM)

I did a quick calculation on the 2003 stats for G6 Cressida

Where did you get these stats Cressida? I have often wondered what these were, year by year, and even instrument by instrument.

Here.


...but it's only by year and grade, but not by instrument. THAT would be interesting...

Cressida

QUOTE (trio @ Jan 13 2005, 08:51 AM)

Accompaniments - accompanists are not meant to mouth the words to the singers! They can also drown out the pupil as they try to musically encourage.

Has anyone seen that Victor Borge sketch where he's supposed to be accompanying this opera singer, but he starts moaning along to the tune really loudly? It's really funny.

QUOTE (trio @ Jan 13 2005, 08:51 AM)

Actually I don't do scales - some candidates refuse to play any scales at all

QUOTE

Actually I don't do scales - some candidates refuse to play any scales at all

I did in fact have a student say this to me last summer, first lesson, transferring from another teacher (I think probably several other teachers!!). If there had been no interest in taking exams I could partly understand (though not agree with) this comment. But this student wanted to work for a grade, I think it was 7.

We didn't last very long.

Maggie

QUOTE

I like your new signature, Maggie!

thanks Jo !

I thought it was time to convince myself I could do one.

Maggie

QUOTE (maggiemay @ Jan 13 2005, 01:30 PM)

QUOTE Actually I don't do scales - some candidates refuse to play any scales at all I did in fact have a student say this to me last summer, first lesson, transferring from another teacher (I think probably several other teachers!!). If there had been no interest in taking exams I could partly understand (though not agree with) this comment. But this student wanted to work for a grade, I think it was 7. We didn't last very long. Maggie

Good grief. That is ridiculous. Why is it that so many people think you can have some sort of music transfusion and magically play an instrument without actually learning it??

Wonder will never cease.

I always used to hate scales (not any more) but I did them. And these days I know how useful they are.

You'd think a student who wanted to go in for grade 7 would have learned the value of scales by then.........

My husband had a piano pupil - and incredibly shy and diffident boy who was only learning because his mum wanted him to - who absolutely refused in the exam to even attempt a scale. The first he knew about it was when the board withheld the result and told him there was 'a problem'!!! I think in the end he passed with 100 and promptly gave up!

QUOTE (clarinetlover @ Jan 12 2005, 08:48 PM)

yeah i want to get Libretto

If you haven't already sorted it out and want to get it here's what Christine Morris said a while ago:

QUOTE (CMORRIS @ May 26 2004, 01:00 PM)

Dear All, If you want to start receiving a copy of Libretto - simply call our Marketing Department on 020 7636 5400.  They'd be delighted to add you to the mailing list.  We don't strike people off the list unless we're asked to!   The latest issue of Libretto went out last week - so if yours is missing, please give us a call and we'll be happy to check that we've got the right details for you and to send you another.  We'd also be pleased to send out back issues if there's specific ones that you've missed and would like to receive. Best regards CMORRIS Forums Administration

thaaaank you!

Is Libretto free?

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Jan 14 2005, 05:29 PM)

Is Libretto free?

i wouldnt have thought so

Yes, it's absolutely free.

I think I get sent it and I dont pay. Maybe I should keep quiet about that.

reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally woohoo!

It is free. I wouldn't be able to get it otherwise!!