Performances and exams

i love the opportunity to see all the students perform...you do a great job.

Performances

Sonic Forum is a safe, non-judgmental performance opportunity which all students are expected to attend three times per year as part of their learning over time.
Why?

To know themselves better
To develop coping skills when under pressure
To be inspired by peers
To be motivated to choose new repertoire, and to learn it to a higher skill level
To have exposure to a broader range of music, which helps in developing individual musical tastes and identity
To be an active part of a supportive community.

Studio Forum is for students only in small groups of peers, twice a year.
The annual public Forum is at an external venue to an invited audience of family and friends. The cost is covered in your tuition fee, though a koha towards running expenses is requested at the external venue.

See Dates page for 2018 Sonic Forum dates.

It's (Sonic Forum) been such an eye-opener for us all and has been so enjoyable.

I can now understand how important it is to come along to Sonic Forum for the sheer experience of performing under pressure [post-Gr 2 exam thoughts]

NCEA &

Scholarship

NCEA Music students need to present a Solo Performance programme and I am happy to plan and advise for this as needed, according to guidelines provided by the school and NZQA. Students sometimes ask for extra practice with aural and written work towards particular standards, for which I have appropriate materials.

Exams

Exams can be helpful with motivation, and working to both deadlines and specific requirements. Practical exams provide performance experience, and theory exams test wider musical knowledge and recall alongside exam technique. Exams also provide a recognised benchmark.

He was very happy with the result! [Gr 1 practical]

Although there is no pressure to take an exam or a sequence of exams in the wider process of your learning programme I do ask you to express your interest, and I also make recommendations where appropriate. I am especially interested in making sure theory knowledge is a part of your learning so I encourage students to consider written exams, too.

AWESOME! all v excited. great results [Gr 3 & 5 theory exams with distinction]

Entry can only be considered when the following are in place: adequate lead time; a record of regular home practice; and sensible consideration of how busy you are with schoolwork and other commitments.

Thanks a bunch for this year! So pleased with how both (public concert) and my (Gr 8 practical) exam went, very pleased with how this year turned out.

ABRSM general information

See an ABRSM Grade 1 exam

Theory exams from 2018: Q & A practice from the ABRSM

Multi-choice quiz: Musical words and symbols, Grades 1-5 ABRSM

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