Ages and stages – Exam pacing

This is my standard progression, by age, through the exam grades. There is some wriggle room here but this is my general stance:

Classical, Musical Theatre and Drama exams

Step, Introductory and Intial exams: ages 6- 10

Grade 1 – 3 Minumum Age -10

Grades 2-3 Minimum age 12

Grade 4-5 Minimum age 14

Grades 6-8 Minimum age 16

This is due to the tone development of young voices as well as the content of the songs in these exams and maturity of musical skills.

It is so important that children learn to value their learning above and beyond the exam experience. I want to support children to become artists and fully rounded musicians. There are many activities that should take place between exams, including performances, festivals, recitals, seeing shows, workshops, all of which contribute to their love of performing or enjoyment of music making.

Exam results

Another great set of Exam results this term. Well done everyone. I hope you have enjoyed the process and using all the new skills you have developed to help you express yourself musically. Have a wonderful Christmas and we will be back on the week beginning 7th Jan for lots more fabulous singing.

Tips for Parents on how to keep Teenagers focussed on music

Dear Parents,

The teenage years present a lot of challenges for all parties as children seek to define themselves as young adults. The article below gives some ideas for helping your child keep music in their life. If they enjoyed classical before they sometimes want to switch to more popular music and this is a great way to help keep their interest. They often want to feel they can share music with their peers as isolation is a major factor in giving up. Joining a band, accompanying friends, organising charity concerts, going to shows, festivals and concerts etc can all help them keep sight of their goals.

How to stop teenagers from tuning out of music lessons

Happy reading

 

Beethoven on practice.

Dear all,

If you need some inspiration to practice……..

‘Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into it’s secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.’

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Happy practising

 

Opera singing and African Click Language sung by Njabulo Madlala

Dear all,

I have to share this as this singer is just fabulous.  Performing ‘The Click Song’ originally by Miriam Makeba, Njabulo’s voice is like velvet. Click languages are thought to be one of the first forms of vocal communication in humans and are still used today. Notice how he is having an amazing time, moving and dancing but his posture and stance are still really strong.

Njabulo Mandlala- The Click Song

More on Click languages here:

Click Languages

And information on Miriam Makeba:

Miriam Makeba

Happy listening