Piano delight - abrsm

24 Pages·2012·5.42 MB·English

by  Henrietta Creedy

01 Lib3-12 Cover Asia.qxd 29/8/12 16:36 Page 1
Libretto
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ABRSM news and views
PPiiaannoo ddeelliigghhtt
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Best of brass
Exploring the new syllabus
Outside the box
Ways to bring breadth
to your teaching
New Piano syllabus
now available
Featuring over 150 brand new pieces across all 8 grades, the syllabus will be valid
from January 2013 and is supported by a set of teaching resources, including:
• 8 new volumes of Piano Exam Pieces, available with or without CD
• A book of Teaching Notes for all pieces featured in Grades 1 to 7
• Recordings of every piece available on CD or as audio downloads
Available from music retailers worldwide or www.abrsm.org/shop
1Grad–es7
Teaching Notes
on Piano Exam Pieces
2013 & 2014
1Grade
Piano
Exam Pieces
Recordings of the complete
2013 & 2014
syllabus
For further information on the 2013 & 2014 ABRSM: the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music
Piano syllabus visit www.abrsm.org/piano2013
03 Lib3-11 Contents-asia.qxd 31/8/12 08:47 Page 3
8 11
Outlook
Since the last issue of Libretto, ABRSM
has been busy publishing new
syllabuses for a range of instruments:
(cid:1)
Piano, Horn, E Horn, Baritone/Euphonium and
Tuba. Fully refreshed and renewed, the new
repertoire lists are available now and will take
effect from January 2013.
You can read more about these syllabuses
in this issue. On page 8, Anthony Williams
shares his personal favourites from the new
16 19
Piano repertoire lists - a selection he
describes as ‘the most varied, imaginative and Libretto
motivating you could ask for’. Then, on page 11
we look at some of the changes we have made
to invigorate our Brass syllabuses, while on
page 19 our Chief Examiner, John Holmes,
explores the element of choice in selecting and
preparing exam pieces. 16 A history in four hands
COVER STORY
At ABRSM we believe there is much more to ABRSM Syllabus Director
musical learning than graded music exams, 8 Piano delight Nigel Scaife explores piano
however. With this in mind, Richard Smith Anthony Williams takes a duets through the ages
suggests simple ways to introduce new ideas personal journey through the
and skills into lessons (page 14), and ABRSM’s new Piano repertoire lists 19 Routes to success
Syllabus Director, Nigel Scaife, highlights ABRSMChief Examiner
some of the wonderful piano duet repertoire FEATURES John Holmes looks at the
that can help to enrich musical knowledge, 11 Best of brass element of choice when
understanding and enjoyment (page 16). preparing exam pieces
Highlights from the new
Alongside such wide-ranging musical
Brass syllabuses 21 Music therapy explained
activities, exams have an important role to play
What’s involved and how this
in motivating and rewarding students. So, the 12 Jazz notes
can work as a career option
ABRSM team is already hard at work on the Tim Richards provides advice
next round of syllabuses, and in 2013 we will on interpreting the suggested
REGULARS
be publishing new repertoire lists for notes when improvising in
Woodwind, for use from 2014. As with ABRSM Jazz exams 4 News
everything we do, the aim is to help support The latest updates from ABRSM
14 Outside the box
high-quality music making by providing the
What can you do to broaden 21 Inbox
best possible teaching and learning resources.
and enrich your students’ Your feedback and views
musical experiences? Richard
Guy Perricone
Smith makes some suggestions
Chief Executive
Editor-in-ChiefTony Pinkham ABRSM Librettois designed for ABRSM by ©The Associated Board of the Royal Schools
EditorLucy North 24 Portland Place Impromptu Publishing of Music. All rights reserved. Unauthorised
London W1B 1LU 5th Floor Clarendon House reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited
Insert & advertising sales United Kingdom 81 Mosley Street without permission. The views expressed in
Michaela Duckett T [phone] Manchester M2 3LQ Librettoare not necessarily those of ABRSM;
TE +li4b4re (t0t)o1a2d1s 4a2le9s @43a6b2r sm.ac.uk Ew [email protected] m.ac.uk Tw w+4w4. im(0)p1r6o1m 2p3t6u p9u5b2l6ishing.com nadeivtheertris aerme ethnets p arondd uincstse rotsr seenrdviocresse da pbpye AaBrinRgS Min.
REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 292182 DesignerHenrietta Creedy
COVER PHOTO: CHRIS CHRISTODOULOU COURTESY OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC
04-06 Lib3-12 Asia News-2.qxd 11/9/12 11:38 Page 4
4 News
Syllabus update
and Principal Hornbooks contain
specially-commissioned repertoire for the
revised Brass syllabuses, while books and
New syllabuses for Piano and selected
recordings of Piano Exam Pieces, and the
Brass instruments are now available
Teaching Notes for Piano Exam Piecesare
online and in two newly-published
also available. In addition, our conferences
booklets. The syllabuses are valid from
in Birmingham, Manchester and London
1 January 2013 and include entirely new
will include sessions on the new Brass and
pieces for Piano and refreshed and
Piano syllabuses.
expanded repertoire lists for Horn,
(cid:1) You can find all syllabus information at
E Horn, Baritone/Euphonium and Tuba.
www.abrsm.org/exams, while publications
All other requirements remain unchanged.
and recordings are available from retailers
We have also produced a range of
worldwide and from www.abrsm.org/shop.
related publications and resources to help
support teachers and students as they To read more about our Piano and Brass
prepare for exams. Our Shining Brass syllabuses turn to pages 8 and 11.
Spectrum
for Piano Duet
coming soon
The latest addition in
our acclaimed
Spectrum series of
books featuring
contemporarypieces
will be published
in October.
Spectrum for
Piano Duet is a
Andy Chung Hok-chun with
Benedict Cruft, Dean of Music at the HKAPA collection of 21
newly-commissioned
First HKAPA student awarded new pieces ranging in
difficulty from Grade
3 to diploma level.
ABRSM scholarship
Some of the many
special features of this volume are:
Agifted young pianist from Hong Kong a conservatoire elsewhere. Our HKAPA seven duets with an easier Secondo
has been awarded the first ABRSM scholarship was established to mark 60 and a harder Primo part –great for
scholarship for study at the Hong Kong years of ABRSM exams in Hong Kong and student–teacherand mixed-level pairs;
Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA). celebrates our close ties with the local a set of six variations on a theme by
Seventeen-year-old Andy Chung Hok-chun music education community. Howard Skempton, each by a different
began his undergraduate studies at the The award will be available annually to a young, up-and-coming composer;
Academy’s School of Music at the beginning young musician from Hong Kong – pianist, and three pieces for piano duet
of September and will receive funding via instrumentalist or singer – applying for an and soundtrack.
the ABRSM scholarship for all four years undergraduate place at the Academy and To help bring the music to life
of the course. Andy, who lists Mozart, shows the seriousness of ABRSM’s support there is a CD packaged with the book
Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev as some of for music making in Hong Kong. ‘We are featuring recordings of all the pieces
his favourite composers, will be studying delighted to be supporting Andy as he performed by Spectrum creator Thalia
with the Academy’s Head of Keyboard continues with his studies,’ commented Guy Myers with either Timothy Salter or
Studies, Professor Gabriel Kwok, who also Perricone, ABRSM’s Chief Executive, ‘and Edward Liddall. The CD also includes
taught Andy on the Academy’s Junior look forward to helping many more young soundtracks for the pieces written for
Music Programme. and talented musicians from Hong Kong in piano duet and soundtrack.
ABRSM already provides scholarships for the years to come.’ Spectrum for Piano Duetwill be
students at conservatoires in the UK, but For more information about the HKAPA available in October from retailers and
this is the first time we have offered one at visit www.hkapa.edu. from www.abrsm.org/shop.
04-06 Lib3-12 Asia News-2.qxd 11/9/12 11:38 Page 5
News 5
The Musica Sinfonietta camp, Malaysia A new look
at Beethoven
Early next year we
will be publishing
the latest book in
our Extraordinary
Lives series of
biographies. In this
new volume,
Beethoven scholar
Barry Cooper
offers a fascinating
summary of key moments in
Beethoven’s life.
Cooper, who recently worked
on ABRSM’s critically-acclaimed
ABRSM reaching out the Philippines the Mandaluyong Children’s
edition of the complete
Choir are using their funding to put on
Beethoven piano sonatas,
Our recently established International concerts, a competition, workshops and offers fresh insights into
Sponsorship Fund is one way in which we seminars, and a choral fiesta. Beethoven’s personality and
are supporting music learning around the Finally, we’ve been sponsoring two motivations while challenging
world, and this year our first sponsorship schools in Uganda. Through the UK-based much of the mythology that
recipients have been busy putting their charity Musequality we are supporting the surrounds him.
funding to use within their local Tender Talents Magnet School near Kampala, In common with the other
communities. The Indian National Youth which provides an all-round education, with a books in this series – on Bach,
Orchestra has used its grant to give 20 special focus on music, for disadvantaged Elgar, Mozart and Purcell –
underprivileged young musicians a chance to children. Meanwhile, ABRSM funding is Beethoven: An Extraordinary
attend its annual workshops, while in helping the Kampala Music School to Lifewill provide essential
Jamaica the Providence Heights Community introduce a development programme for reading for anyone with an
Band has been able to set up a recital teachers, both at the school and in the interest in the life and work of
programme, repair instruments, buy new surrounding region. one of the great composers.
ones and pay for professional tuition. It’s inspiring to know that ABRSM funds Beethoven: an extraordinary
In Malaysia, we are supporting Musica are helping to encourage and support young lifewill be available in early
Sinfonietta’s five-day ‘camp’ which provides musicians from all backgrounds and from all 2013 from retailers and from
coaching, lectures and workshops with over the world. Look out for more on these www.abrsm.org/shop.
professional musicians and teachers, and in stories in the next issue of Libretto.
New for pianists Music in Words
updated
To complement the new ABRSM Piano syllabus for
2013 and 2014 we have published a range of Anew edition of our
resources for teachers and students. Our books of best-selling guide to
Piano Exam Pieces feature a varied selection for each researching and writing
grade, with 18 pieces included in each of the volumes about music will be
for Grades 1 to 7 and 12 pieces in the Grade 8 book. The available in November.
Piano Exam Piecesare available with or without CD Fully updated and
recordings of all pieces selected for the grade. You can revised, this invaluable
also buy audio downloads of individual tracks from reference tool covers everything you
www.abrsm.org/audioshop or buy the CDs separately. need to know to write effectively
In addition, our popularTeaching Notes on Piano about music, while the companion
Exam Pieces, Grades 1-7, provides information on what website will offer additional advice
examiners are looking for and how to achieve a secure and resources. From programme
and musical performance. Written by experienced notes to university essays, Music in
teachers and ABRSM examiners, this guide provides a Wordsis an essential handbook for
wealth of valuable advice. writers at all levels.
It’s worth noting that there are no changes to Piano scales and arpeggios or sight-reading, Music in Wordswill be available
apart from the addition of the natural minor option at Grades 1 and 2, introduced in January in November from retailers and
this year. All new Piano publications are available now from www.abrsm.org/shop. from www.abrsm.org/shop.
04-06 Lib3-12 Asia News-2.qxd 11/9/12 11:38 Page 6
6 News
PDP seminars put piano centre stage IN BRIEF
(cid:1)Meeting the examiner
in Malaysia
Teachers throughout Malaysia
have been benefiting from a
series of meetings with ABRSM
examiners. During each
hour-long event an ABRSM
examiner provides valuable
feedback on recent exams in
the local area and answers
teachers’ questions. Examiners
also talk about the assessment
process, discuss how teachers
and students can get the most
from the comments on the
mark forms and suggest ways
to achieve higher marks in
exams. This year we organised
six successful meetings across
Malaysia, in July and August,
and we are now planning to
run more meetings, together
More than a thousand piano with some in-depth seminars,
teachers from Singapore, during 2013. Look out for
Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong further details next year at
attended our recent Professional www.abrsm.org/
Development Programme (PDP) malaysiameetings.
events presented by Vanessa
(cid:1)Get ready for 2013
Latarche, Gary Matthewman and
NewExam Information &
Loo Bang Hean. Each of these
Regulationsbooklets for 2013
popular one-day seminars focused
are now available, in both
on pieces from the new ABRSM
UK & IrelandandInternational
Piano syllabus for 2013 and 2014,
editions. These invaluable
providing an invaluable introduction Teachers at a PDP
seminar in Kuala Lumpur booklets are packed with the
to some of the wonderful and varied Above: Presenter Loo Bang Hean information you need to enter
repertoire on offer. candidates for exams and are
available from music shops,
ABRSM representatives and
by request from ABRSM.
Enrol now for Singapore teaching course
You can also find the
complete regulations online
Erolment is now open for our next sessions. This allows teachers at www.abrsm.org/exams.
Certificate of Teaching course in to examine broad issues, such as (cid:1)Scale speeds
Singapore. The course, which begins in learning styles, lesson planning, now online
March 2013, combines the highly respected music technology and preparation for
We have created a new
CTABRSM qualification with studies performance while also exploring issues section on our website
towards our DipABRSM Teaching diploma. related to their own instrument, such as which gives up-to-date
It gives instrumental and singing teachers developing techniques, tone production recommended minimum
the opportunity to expand their knowledge and repertoire. speeds for scales and arpeggios
and understanding, develop new skills and At the end of the course, teachers for the majority of instruments.
reflect on their teaching. will be able to review their own teaching, We hope this will be a
useful resource for teachers
The CT ABRSM course takes place over make judgements about what works
as they help students
six months and consists of 11 study days, and what doesn’t, and introduce new
to prepare for this important
held in Singapore, together with techniques and approaches in
element of their exams.
distance/online work and support. The their lessons
You can find out more at
study days include general, or whole-group, To find out more about the CTABRSMcourse
www.abrsm.org/scalespeeds.
sessions alongside instrument-specific in Singapore visit www.abrsm.org/ctabrsm.
Discover ABRSM’s shop:
everything you need in one place
Providing an extensive range of publications, exam materials
and resources, our online shop offers a straight-forward
solution to fi nding everything you need in 4 easy steps:
• Select your exam using our exam music fi nder.
• View and choose repertoire from us and other publishers.
• Add scales, sight-reading, aural, theory or any other books you need
• Add to basket and let us take care of the rest.

To get started, simply visit
www.abrsm.org/shop
08-09 Lib3-12 PIANO SYLLABUS.qxd 22/8/12 12:51 Page 8
8 Syllabus news
Piano delight An early grade highlight
At the other end of the spectrum is one of
my youngest pupils. Having taken Grade 1
last year, he is now preparing for Grade 3.
He has happily (if temporarily, I suspect)
ditched his Star Warstheme for one of my
The new ABRSM Piano syllabus is now available. Here, ABRSM Piano
favourite pieces – In the Bayby Swinstead
syllabus selector Anthony Williams takes a journey through the (Grade 3, List B). I know that this student
can project a line and his pedalling, even for
repertoire on offer and highlights some personal favourites. a small boy, is really quite advanced so he
will be able to control the legato changes on
the bass notes well.
One of my students recently said to from the printed notes and the challenges
me: 'I don't want to play that, it's an of colour, balance and descriptive sense of Some attractive arrangements
exam piece.’ As if setting Pride and line reap huge musical rewards. Alan Bullard's cheeky arrangement of
Prejudice for an A level English literature Sullivan's The Policeman's Song(Grade 3,
exam suddenly makes the story dull and List C) will also prove popular, I hope. I am
uninteresting. But why should he know ‘There is something a real fan of arrangements. Although there
that ABRSM exam repertoire is the result is suitable original music for the lower
of more than 18 months’ work? A process here for everyone ... grades, it’s not always appealing and can be
that involves playing through hundreds of rather sophisticated for younger students.
a selection of the most
composers, collections and submissions Attractive arrangements can motivate
as well as consulting with teachers to find students to practise more technically
varied pieces you
those musical gems, old and new, that challenging repertoire while introducing
will captivate, motivate and enthuse them to compositions beyond those of their
could ask for’
young pianists while developing their own discipline.
musicianship and technique. A superb An entertaining and refreshing
piece was cast aside simply because it arrangement is Meet the Flintstones
featured in an exam book; his 'prejudice' The Skryabin Poèmemay not immediately (Grade 2, List C). It might, I know,
had hurt my 'pride'. appeal to some but I have a student who I encourage students (or us) to spend too
But I am a teacher, first and foremost, hope will play it next year – he's interested much time on the cartoon channel, but this
and share with other teachers and students in composition and relates instinctively to arrangement had to go in.
the passion for a colourful, varied, pieces a little less tonal. The feelings this Teachers of my
imaginative and inspiring list of repertoire piece evokes with its variety of touch, generation will love
that will provide them with wonderful articulation and abrupt changes of mood it and be practising
music to explore. If you can also use it for will test his control but above all I know the their ‘yabba dabba
an exam, that’s a brilliant added bonus! piece will live with him for years to come. doos', whereas
There are some truly fabulous pieces In List A, I'll be looking at the J. S. Bach students will be
in the 2013 and 2014 lists; a veritable Praeambulum for those with a good finger working on their
feast of ‘culinary’ delights. There is the facility. It’s a great introduction to the Bach
amuse-bouche, the cordon bleu, the roast Partitas and exciting to play. It does require
dinner, the sophisticated olive or exotic careful planning of dynamics and
fruit and, dare I say it, even the occasional articulation though, and needs a firmly
candyfloss and burger. The breadth of established three-in-a-bar from the
repertoire covers not only a variety of tastes start as the opening catches many out!
but also a defined span of ability within By contrast, the haunting and elusive
each grade. In fact, almost every piece has Shostakovich Prelude and Fugue in D with
N been chosen with a current or past student its delicate melodic Prelude and nagging
MI
A
NJ in mind. I’m sure I’m not alone though in Fugue subject works well with a rather
BE
ATE having favourites – pieces which naturally naïve, simplistic approach.
N: K excite me and that I know will inspire Two of Beethoven's early Op. 10 sonatas
O
CTI my students. feature in List B. Their typical mood swings,
RE
DI absorbing drama, persuasive lyricism and
RT
S. A Highlights at Grade 8 inventive, restless development sections
OTT For Grade 8 students, my choice on List C provide a backbone to a musically engaging
P
NDY has to be the Lili Boulanger D'un vieux list of Classical repertoire. I am also
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08-09 Lib3-12 PIANO SYLLABUS.qxd 22/8/12 12:51 Page 9
Syllabus news 9
control and variety of detached chords Grade 7 choices Anthony Williams is a pianist, teacher,
(slightly voiced to the top) with a precise Finally, I must mention the List C selection ABRSM examiner and ABRSM Piano
sense of rhythmic control and dynamic at Grade 7. From the desolate anguish of syllabus selector. He is co-presenting
shape, yet loving every note. And there’s Schoenberg's Leicht, zart, the fantasy of the seminars on the new Piano syllabus at our
also Chopin's Wiosna(Spring) on Grade 3, Shostakovich Allegrettoand the exciting UK conferences this year.
List B, a rare arrangement of a Polish folk rock groove of Christopher Norton's Sturdy
song – and it’s beautiful. Build, through to the seductive Gershwin The new Piano syllabus is valid for
song Do It Again, the gorgeous Ginastera 2013 and 2014. It is available at
Other gems not to miss (Danza de le moza donosa) and caustic www.abrsm.org/exams and in booklet
A lovely expressive Scarlatti Sonata in Prokofiev (Con vivacità) – there’s the most form. We have also produced a range of
G minor features at Grade 4 (List A). It is a delicious and exciting choice to make here. supporting resources available to buy at
very special piece needing musical shading, www.abrsm.org/shop.
subtle balance, a vocal expressiveness and Of course, there will be pieces you and your
harmonic awareness, and would make an students love and those you don’t. We will To comment on this article, please
excellent contrast to Emmanuel Oriol's always have different favourites and tastes, email [email protected].
Ne tirez pas sur le pianiste!(Grade 4, List C) but there is definitely something here
– a fun rag requiring humour and quite a lot for everyone. Here is a selection of
of control in the left-hand jumps. Then the most varied, imaginative and
again, you ignore the seductive Carl Vine motivating pieces you could ask
Semplice(Grade 4, List C) at your peril for and I, for one, can’t wait to
as it’s easy note-wise and a joy to play teach them.
and perform. Oh, and by the way, did I
MacDowell's To a Wild Rose(Grade 5, mention you could also
List B) never ceases to engage the more perform them for an
sentimental of students. It’s relatively easy exam if you wish? (cid:1)
note-wise, yet challenges abound in the
breadth and balance. Personally I love the
TárregaAdelita(Grade 5, List B), but I have
a soft spot for Spanish music. I’m also a bit
of a rebel when it comes to choosing pieces
from ABRSM’s Piano Exam Piecesbooks
and prefer to look outside for gems such as
Arne's Presto from his Sonata in A (Grade 6,
List A), an attractive, engaging and cheeky
piece of Baroque music.
Supporting
brass players
ABRSM have just launched new syllabuses for French Horn, E Horn, Baritone / Euphonium
and Tuba. In support of the syllabus launch, we have also published books containing
new pieces, commissioned from some of the fi nest composers of brass music working today:
Shining Brass Principal Horn
• A new series for any brass • A single collection of
player, covering Grades pieces and studies,
1-3 and 4 & 5. covering Grades 6-8.
• Two part books including CDs, • Score and part book
with piano accompaniments with CD
in B , E and F available
separately.
Now available from music retailers worldwide
or www.abrsm.org/shop
ABRSM: the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music
For further information on the new brass
www.abrsm.org
syllabuses, visit www.abrsm.org/brass2013