On Monday 20th the Music School hosted the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations. These exams happen three times a year and are often used to show progress in the chosen instrument. Depending on marks you can either pass, achieve a merit of if you gain over 85%, a distinction. They consist of three or four pieces, scales, sight reading and aural tests. To achieve good marks, regular, everyday practice for up to an hour is essential The higher exams also have UCAS points attached.

It is with great delight that we have heard that Sophie B (Lower Sixth) and Grace B (Upper Sixth) passed their Grade 8 examinations (the highest possible grade) with a distinction and a merit respectively. They both showed huge commitment with work (Grace regularly turned up at 7:30am to practice) especially on the technical aspects such as scales and aural. Mrs Holmes spent lots of time with them on the latter plus practising with them on their pieces. Both girls also played in front of Professor Nicholas Miller during a masterclass, to get even more advice. Their teacher Mr Holmes commented that “both girls show a huge amount of commitment and discipline to achieve these results which are totally deserved. They are a credit to the Music Department and an example to the younger pupils.”

Full results are:
Sophie B (Lower Sixth) Grade 8 Violin Distinction
Grace B(Upper Sixth) Grade 8 Violin Merit
Lydia A (3rd Form) Grade 5 Singing Merit
Toni T (3rd Form) Grade 5 Violin Merit
Dominic P (2nd Form) Grade 4 Singing Merit
Imogen R (4th Form) Grade 4 Piano Pass
Harriet P (2nd Form) Grade 2 Piano Merit