One of the things I get to do is travel to various places in (mostly western) Canada to conduct levelled exams for The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM). As a member of the College of Examiners for the RCM, I have had the opportunity to observe the great music education that is happening in places such as Burnaby, BC, various centres in Alberta, and Whitehorse YK.
I just returned from administering exams in Calgary and Red Deer, AB. Thank you to my centre reps at both locations for helping make the process run as smoothly as possible. A good centre rep is so very important for a successful assignment!
I was challenged during this set of exams by going out of my experience and comfort zones by assessing disciplines that I don’t normally see. So in addition to the normal piano exams from Level 1 to Senior Level, I also observed voice performances (I’ve done this a few times), keyboard harmony for ARCT level (I REALLY enjoyed these!) and even some violin and cello exams. I found the latter the most challenging, but thanks to the support and tutorial material supplied by RCM, I feel proud to have been able to successfully assess the string performances!
It is always a joy to watch young performers accomplish their levelled exams. And occasionally you come across some gems of interaction. Like one charming young performer in Red Deer, as he came to the end of Poole’s TARANTELLE:
ME: “You must really like that piece!”
“YES! I used to have a pet tarantula!!!”
To students who wonder if preparing for exams is really worth it, I offer a wholehearted YES! To prepare a list of repertoire successfully takes discipline, effort, and concentration – qualities that our young students need to feed and nurture!
I look forward to my next assignment to administer music exams!
