Libretto 2009:2

24 Pages·2009·4.39 MB·English

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Music past, (cid:1) Teachers’ corner – how best to
motivate classroom learners
music future (cid:1) Raising an Amazing Musician – our
self-help guide to music education
ABRSM turns 120! (cid:1) Syllabus review – a new Bowed
Strings syllabus for 2012
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6 10
Welcome
As promised in this column in the last issue,
I welcome you to Librettoin its new rebranded
format. I very much hope that you will find this
format both fresh and clear, full of useful information
and interesting articles, with more for the eye to enjoy.
The new Librettois sealed with the new ABRSM logo.
Let me emphasise that none of this represents
change for its own sake. Rather, it is designed to 9 18
reflect what we have been told – much of it by
Librettoreaders – during the course of our lengthy
Contents
brand review.
All ABRSM stakeholders wanted us, at all costs,
to retain our fundamental values, such as reliability,
3 News ABRSM developments worldwide
rigour, quality and friendliness. Alongside this wish,
we recognised two further strands: first, that we
6 Music past, music future ABRSM enters its 120th year
should become a more integrated operation,
effectively joining up our range of services, whether
9 Inspirational giving Our work with UK-based charity
exams, publications, courses, seminars or online
Music for Youth
facilities; and secondly, that we should strive to be
more outward-looking and engaging, with a bolder
10 Syllabus review Nigel Scaife, Syllabus Director,
approach to all our communications.
updates us on the Bowed Strings syllabus review
As a result, you will find in this and in future
editions of Librettomatters of interest to a broader
12 Specialist services Exam visits under the microscope
constituency within music education. For example, this
issue features our new publication Raising an Amazing 13 Expert opinion John Witchell considers Ofsted’s latest
Musician, which we believe will be of great interest to report on music education in England
parents, as well as to teachers and pupils. You will find
less news from individual departments within ABRSM, 14 Parent power A new self-help guide for parents,
but more articles covering ABRSM as a whole and all teachers and pupils
sorts of wider topics across music education.
Our new logo aims to encapsulate these ideas 17 Examiner stories Ian Denley visits South
in a simple but strong visual image. It will be used Africa’s Western Province
worldwide to denote all ABRSM offerings, whether
18 Teachers’ corner How best to motivate all learners
exam services or other products, offline or online,
thus reflecting our ambition to be a ‘one stop shop’ 21 Diary dates Your essential run down of key events
to meet the needs of music teachers and learners.
Having carefully considered all the different 22 Clara’s CommentShare your views with our Chief
names by which the Board has been known across Examiner Clara Taylor
the world in the past, we concluded that the initials
ABRSM are the single instantly recognised common
factor. Our new logo also retains our royal Editor-in-ChiefTony Pinkham Libretto is designed for ABRSM by
connection, reflecting the importance attached to EditorLucy North Impromptu Publishing
2nd Floor Century House,
that by virtually all our stakeholders, and seeks at Insert & advertising sales 11 St Peter’s Square,
COM the same time to suggest musical elements. The Michaela Duckett Manchester M2 3DN
ME. chosen colour is different and bold. T [phone] T [phone]
MSTI I hope that this article illustrates the important E [email protected] www.impromptupublishing.com
REA ABRSM DesignerHenrietta Creedy
D ideas which underlie our change in image and
SILVIO/ reassures you that the same fundamental values 2L4o nPdoorntl aWn1dB P 1laLcUe © The Associated Board of the Royal Schools
© VE will continue to underpin all our operations. United Kingdom oref pMroudsuicc.t iAolnl riing hwtsh oreles eorrv iend p. aUrnt aisu pthroorhisibeidted
OTO: T [phone] without permission. The views expressed in
PH Richard Morris E [email protected] Libretto are not necessarily those of ABRSM
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News News 3
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IN BRIEF
0 (cid:1)New resources for
International Reps
Building on last year’s
Representative Review and
Development Project, we have been
working on two initiatives that will
AN help us and our International
H
G
ALLA Representatives to provide even
C better levels of customer service.
A
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U Work continues on our new IT
A
M/L system for Representatives. Soon to
O
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CK. be piloted, this will ultimately enable
O
ST Representatives to process all entries
© I
8 O: and results themselves, allowing us
HOT to issueexam appointments and
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certificates earlier. We are also
More than 170 applicants have registered for ABRSM’s inaugural International Young working on a new electronic
Composers’ Competition. Open to anyone aged 18 or under who has taken an ABRSM exam, information resource through which
the competition forms part of our 120th anniversary celebrations. In all, four prize-winning we can keep Representatives up to
speed with the latest ABRSM news.
compositions will be considered for performance at our 120th anniversary gala concert, which
takes place at London’s Cadogan Hall on 27 July. In March representatives from both age
(cid:1)Organ pilot launched
categories (14 or under and 15 to 18) courageously performed their scores at Music for Youth’s
2009 Regional Festival Series – an initiative co-organised by ABRSM (see page 9). As part of a complete revision of our
‘As we approach the deadline, we have had over 170 entries for the competition and I suspect Organ syllabus, we are appealing to
teachers to try out some new ideas
we’ll get more before the adjudication process begins,’ said Leslie East, ABRSM Executive
with their students. We established a
Director: Syllabus and Publishing, as Librettowent to press. ‘Entries have come from all over the
consultative group at the end of last
world and I’m particularly excited to have received pieces from China, the West Indies, South Africa
year and have since commissioned
and Indonesia. Our youngest composer so far is six years old!’
new sight-reading and transposition
‘ABRSM wants to recognise the creativity of our young exam candidates through this
tests and have also developed
competition,’ East added. ‘We feel that our 120th anniversary provides a great occasion to revised scale requirements and
celebrate the compositional talents of the young musicians who take our exams. We also hope to pedal exercises.
find pieces to put on future exam syllabuses.’ Prizes of £1,000 and £500 will be awarded to the
We are currently piloting the new
winners and runners-up in each category.
materials, having already invited
applicants with an email address
to participate. If you have not been
Diploma news for blind candidates
contacted and would like to take
part, please email us at:
[email protected]
ALE remain the same. Consideration will also be
MY S given to any compositional details that may not
OM/JERE tranSsincgriinbge cwaenldl iidnatote Bs raalsilole h.ave two options: they
C
CK. may perform directly from the Braille without the
O
© IST words, with 10 minutes’ preparation time, or
O: perform the test from memory with the words,
OT
H
P with 30 minutes’ preparation. Singing tests will
As a result of our recent diploma quick study be presented in different formats, however, with
pilot, new arrangements are now in place the lyrics and melody given separately.
for blind candidates. Entrants can choose to In all cases, tests will be recorded on CD –
take their quick study as a Braille memory or although candidates are expected to bring their
aural repetition test depending on their own playback equipment to their exam.
preferred approach. Those taking the Braille We have now updated the guidelines for
memory test will be given 30 minutes to study blind and partially-sighted candidates to
and memorise a short piece of approximately include these changes. In addition, we are
16 bars, while candidates taking the aural producing a selection of indicative tests
repetition test will be given 15 minutes. (starting with the most popular instruments,
Although both are shorter than our standard and thereafter by request), offering candidates
tests, the technical requirements of each guidance on what to expect in their exam.
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4 News
High Scorers’ Concert proves inspirational
ABRSM’s first ever High Scorers’ hours’ drive from Johannesburg – as
Concert in South Africa’s North well as those from the communities
West Province proved a resounding of Ottasdal and Potchefstroom, the
success in February. Attracting concert served to motivate and
parents, teachers, students and inspire candidates as they continue
friends, the event – which took with their musical studies.
place at the Hoër Tegniese Skool Our thanks go to staff at HTS
Klerksdorp – showcased 14 Klerksdorp for use of their school
candidates playing the violin, flute, hall and piano at no charge and for
alto saxophone and tuba with arranging refreshments and
Grades ranging from 1 to 7. publicity for the event – one that
Bringing together performers may well become an annual
from Klerksdorp – a small gold- occurrence at the request of all
mining town approximately two those involved.
German edition of Beethoven’s Piano
Sonatas published
AGerman edition of Barry Cooper’s critically
acclaimed Beethoven: The 35 Piano Sonatas
was unveiled at a special event during the
Frankfurt Music Fair in April. The ABRSM
publication has enjoyed enormous success since
Purcell book expands
its UK release in December 2007. At one stroke it
challenged the position and standing of all other
Extraordinary Lives series
ongoing critical surveys on the composer (the
most notable being the Vienna Urtext) – especially
June sees the publication of a new book exploring the since many have not yet delivered their complete critical commentaries.
life and works of Henry Purcell. Bruce Wood’s Purcell: ‘This commitment to the German market is indicative of ABRSM’s belief
an extraordinary lifeis the fourth in ABRSM’s that we can make a significant impact in this strong musical culture,’ said
Extraordinary Livesseries – adding to Davitt Moroney’s Robin Barry, Editorial Director at ABRSM. ‘The homeland of Bach,
revealing account of J.S. Bach’s life, Julian Rushton’s Beethoven, Schumann and so many other great composers does not have an
portrait of Mozart, and J.P.E. Harper-Scott’s study of indigenous music assessment system and there are signs that graded music
Edward Elgar. exams could find a more prominent place here.’
‘Readers may be wondering why we are publishing To support ABRSM exams in Germany we have recently published the
another book on “our greatest composer”,’ Leslie East, first five grades of Music Theory in Practicein German (Musiktheorie in der
ABRSM Executive Director: Syllabus and Publishing, said. Praxis). These are now readily available via our German distributor, Peters
‘Well, while the literature on Purcell is extensive, it is Edition Frankfurt.
largely geared towards an academic audience, or at least
a readership that probably accepts his greatness without
question. The beauty of Bruce’s book is that it challenges Representative conferences go worldwide
the author to explain why the composer is special.’
Wood’s task has been particularly challenging – not To celebrate our 120th anniversary ‘These events provide a
least as there are no records of the composer’s exploits and the launch of our new brand, wonderful opportunity to discuss
before the age of 14, his birth date (1659) is conjecture we will be holding a series of recent developments, share ideas
and the particulars of his death remain a mystery. regional Representative conferences and improve communication
‘What we do have of course is Purcell’s glorious this year. Building on the success of between Representatives and staff,’
music,’ East adds. ‘This book brilliantly encapsulates April’s two-day, London-based said Tim Arnold, International
his world – a society in which the composer lived a conference for European Operations Director.
chameleon life, creating music for spectacular Representatives, our South African Attended by a wide range of
theatrical events, for royal occasions, for intimate Representatives will gather in Cape ABRSM staff, these conferences
chamber performances, and for bawdy taverns. Against Town in July. Those from South East give us an opportunity to meet the
a vividly-drawn background of the politics, the events, the Asia are in turn invited to Bali in Representatives we liaise with on a
social conventions and musical institutions of the time, September, while Representatives daily basis and to develop a greater
Bruce explains just why the life and the music of Henry from the Middle East will meet in understanding of local situations as
Purcell are truly extraordinary.’ To purchase your copy in Dubai during October. they relate to our work.
June visit: www.abrsm.org/publications.
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News 5
IN BRIEF
(cid:1)New faces in Spain
and Andorra
At the end of December 2008,
Teresa Pont retired from her role
as our Representative for Cataluña
and Aragon, Spain, after more
than 11 years. We thank her for all
DRE her hard work and wish her well
PE
AVID for her retirement. Juan Vázquez,
M/D her successor, is already
CO absorbing himself in the role. We
Exciting developments in China STOCK. have also appointed Roser
© I Palomero Vendrell as our first
OTO: Representative in Andorra.
H
P Vendrell has been involved in
running exams in the country for
We are delighted to announce that we have been granted permission by the provincial
several years and we look forward
government to run a trial exam session in Shanghai. The session will be held in October at
to working with her.
the Oriental International Cultural Service Centre of Shanghai Waigoaqiap Trade Zone with exams
open to non-Chinese passport holders, Chinese passport holders living outside China and Chinese (cid:1) UK update
passport holders planning to study overseas.
In the UK we welcome new
This represents a highly significant development for the region for which we are now busy
Honorary Local Representatives
preparing. There is much work to be done to provide the necessary support for local music teachers
for the following areas: Dereham,
and their students in time for our exams in October this year. We are delighted to be working with Huddersfield, Ilford (Theory),
the Shanghai Cultural Exchange Agency in this exciting new venture. Skipton (Practical), Stirling,
Wakefield and Wells (Practical).
For contact details visit:
Diploma holders applauded
www.abrsm.org
Hong Kong Helpline
New ABRSM diploma holders from (cid:1) Teachers enjoy a
feast of learning
across South East Asia celebrated their opens for
considerable achievements at a special In recent months teachers in
Diploma Award Ceremony in March. Held business South East Asia, Hong Kong,
Macau and Taiwan have been
at Singapore’s Concorde Hotel, the event
was attended by family and friends and The Hong Kong taking advantage of a full
programme of seminars and
presided over by ABRSM Chief Executive Helpline, an
professional development
Richard Morris. advisory service for
events. Subjects have
Participants had travelled from Indonesia, candidates and teachers, has
included diploma quick studies in
Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, the recently been launched. Our staff will be on Singapore; aural tests in Bali; and
Philippines and Thailand to take part and for hand to answer any exam-related questions, advanced Theory of Music in Java.
Bill Thomson, our South East Asia Regional from technical questions on set pieces to more DEZ More recently our Professional
N
Coordinator, this is partly what makes this general enquiries about exam periods and NA Development Programme has taken
R
annual event so memorable. ‘Many of the syllabuses. Please email us now at: S FE pianists and examiners Vanessa
young musicians had crossed the South China [email protected]. Any queries M/LUI Latarche and Tim Barratt to Thailand,
O
Sea, the Malacca Straits and the Bay of regarding exam entries, such as requesting a CK.C Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan to
Bengal to take their deserved places at this specific venue or time, should be directed to STO work with teachers on repertoire
© I from the new Piano syllabus.
event, making it a truly international occasion the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment O:
for ABRSM!’ Authority at: [email protected] PHOT (cid:1)Showcase in Bali
Successful candidates from Bali
New online services in the UK In addition, new links give access to and Makassar, Indonesia, took part
information and advisory pages, allowing you in Bali’s annual High Scorers’
Applicants in the UK can now benefit from a to print Exam Programme Slips and copies of Concert at the Hyatt Hotel in
March. Our Reps for Indonesia,
range of new features as part of our online My Turn Next!– our leaflet offering advice for
Denis and Ineke Umar, were on
entry and appointment service. Visitors to the site students – and view guidelines for candidates
hand to provide support and
can print off maps and directions to exam with special needs.
encouragement, while the talented
centres; find out more about the venue itself, Your online account now provides a hub of
performers received certificates to
including whether its piano is an upright or grand; essential and easily accessible information – mark their achievements.
and view a calendar highlighting when we will be from preparing your entry, to briefing students
announcing the next batch of exam appointments. about attending, to viewing their results.
06-7 Lib2 120 anniversary2.qxd 28/4/09 16:06 Page 6
66 Celebrating 120 years
Music past,
ABRSM’s reach and role have expanded in the 120 years since its founding but its core values remain
When SoundJunction – ABRSM’s with it, the demographic of both candidates advances – and the average age of
award-winning website for and examiners. examiners is far lower than it was. We are
exploring music – launched in ‘Even in the ten years I’ve been here, attracting people from all stages of the
2005, it was hailed as a revolution in there have been significant changes,’ Scaife profession and many more freelancers
learning. It’s easy to forget that it was a new reveals. ‘We’ve brought in the Jazz syllabus who want to put something back into the
technology known as the postal service that and are currently piloting a Drum Kit system. I’m very confident in the next
helped the Board revolutionise music syllabus. Group learning has also been a generation of examiners.’
education in Britain 120 years ago. very important development; we’ve Taylor is also confident candidates are
‘At a time when the Victorian schools introduced Music Medals, adapting the treated with more pastoral concern than in
system was expanding, the penny post and graded system to embrace as many young ABRSM’s earliest days, when they faced the
railway travel made it easy to send music learners as possible. It’s ensured that the prospect of being cross- (and crossly)
and examiners around the country,’ explains quality of the music-making remains high examined by the likes of C V Stanford and
ABRSM historian David Wright. ‘Technology and it’s meant that the motivational benefits Charles Hubert Parry: ‘We’ve put huge
made everything ABRSM does possible.’ of an award can be given to learners in a effort into making examiners much more
Fast-forward to the 21st century and it’s different context – and at a lower price.’ aware of the little as well as the big things
clear how technological advances have It has also led to a wider range of that help a candidate; they go out of their
continued to change the way the musicians working as ABRSM examiners – way to make candidates feel as relaxed as
organisation delivers its services. a reflection, says Scaife, of ‘contemporary they reasonably can.’
‘Technology’s impacted a lot on the musical society’. ‘We often have orchestral ‘We have paid enormous attention to
international and administrative sides of freelance players examining as well as pastoral care and not just to the rigour
the business,’ says Nigel Scaife, ABRSM those with a more traditional teaching of marking,’ agrees Richard Morris, Chief
Syllabus Director. ‘The majority of entries background. And our international Executive of ABRSM. ‘We want candidates
for exams in the UK are now registered expansion has also led to real changes in to show their best.’
online. But we’re also interested in using the profile.’ This holistic approach has been mirrored
technology as a tool for teaching and Notably there are far more women in the array of ABRSM publications as well
learning. We also want to use technology examiners – not least ABRSM’s Chief as in the burgeoning professional
in a much broader educational context in Examiner Clara Taylor, Royal Academy of development programmes the organisation
the future.’ Music professor and a private teacher for runs for teachers. ‘We’re always looking to
Yet it’s not just the technology of over 20 years. refresh the products and resources we offer
ABRSM operations that has changed. The ‘It was a very masculine profession,’ she – hence our commitment to contemporary
curriculum has also been transformed and, acknowledges, ‘but we have made major music through our Spectrumseries of
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Celebrating 120 years 77
music future
unchanged, finds Paul Cutts.
EARLY ABRSM: THE HISTORICAL FACTS
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won’t be in my time – but I’m O:
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Project2:Libretto page 8 29/4/09 16:51 Page 8
New for strings
and brass
Coming soon
New syllabuses
for Cello, Double
Bass, Trumpet,
Trombone and
Bass Trombone
Featuring new
set pieces
Valid from
January 2010
Revised syllabus booklets for
Brass and Woodwind (in separate
booklets) and Bowed Strings will
be published in July of this year.
Full syllabus details will
also be available at
www.abrsm.org
09 Lib2 Support services.qxd 27/4/09 17:06 Page 17
Inspirational giving 99
Inspirational giving
In March, ABRSM extended its sponsorship agreement with Music for Youth (MfY), the UK-based charity
with a ‘worldwide reputation for its work in music education’. Tony Pinkham finds out how ABRSM is helping
to further the organisation’s work.
‘We’re absolutely delighted with ABRSM’s ongoing support,’
Lincoln Abbotts, Chief Executive of MfY, tells Libretto.
‘Ourpartnership was first established in 1995 and at once
allowed us to expand our Regional Festivals Series from 38 festivals
to 42 events UK-wide. This year’s series featured no fewer than 65
festivals! In all, it provided 1,700 music groups and around 45,000
young musicians with free access to live music-making opportunities,
regardless of their abilities or performance standards.’
For nearly four decades, MfY has showcased an eclectic mix of
musical styles performed by young people. The organisation
currently works with around 100,000 performers, 1,300 music
leaders and 50 venues annually. Three strands of activity, or values,
that are shared by ABRSM lie at the heart of MfY’s work:
performance, inspiration and engagement.
‘There is a real synergy between the two organisations – not least
given that we want to appeal to similar audiences,’ comments Penny
Milsom, UK Operations Director at ABRSM. ‘In addition to providing
promotional materials and occasionally sourcing motivational
speakers for the Regional Festival Series, we’re exploring ways in
which we can collaborate at a local level,
drawing upon our network of contacts.
For example, we might know of a good venue
or have links to a particular music retailer,
thus allowing MfY to stage an event there.’
‘The series is expanding all the time,’
Abbotts adds, ‘and such input is invaluable.
Of course any instrumentalist or singer can
get involved in the cycle just so long as they’re
under 21 and perform in a group of more than
two people. Those who stand out are ‘Put simply we want to speak to young people about
subsequently invited to take part in our the benefits of not only music-making but progression –
National Festival. Not that it’s a competition,’ and hence our collaboration with ABRSM. The Regional
he warns. ‘We instead employ mentors who are Festival Series is there to light a creative spark among
tasked with giving each group constructive all participants and our audiences. We in turn work
verbal and written reports on the day.’ closely with other national organisations to ensure that once that
Having succeeded MfY founder Larry Westland in January 2008, spark gets lit, it is further developed and nurtured somehow.’
Abbotts has been keen to further the charity’s ‘inspirational agenda’. ‘Both ABRSM and MfY are concerned with the development of
A former learning manager with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and young people in musical terms,’ adds ABRSM Chief Executive
Chorus, he is well practised in devising an array of music Richard Morris, who upon taking up his post in 1993 identified MfY
programmes that engage young people and their families. Crucially, as ‘one of the great doers in music education’. ‘And whilst the Board
Abbotts knows first hand of the benefits of performing in a major concentrates on individual performance and progress, MfY
venue, having played the flute at a MfY Schools Prom 26 years ago. complements this by offering platforms for group performance.’ UTH
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‘The fact that you can have a group that has only been playing for ‘Supporting MfY for another three-year term is illustrative of our R Y
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a few months performing alongside a highly polished band at our interest in developing musical talent at the grassroots level,’ he C F
SI
regional events creates a really exciting mix,’ he states. ‘It’s concludes. ‘That’s why our funding goes towards supporting the MU
©
incredibly inspiring and we’re certain that these festivals help to Regional Festival Series specifically and long may it continue.’ (cid:1) O:
motivate young musicians to continue with their musical learning.’ www.mfy.org.uk – Music For Youth HOT
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