Having highlighted the common reasons for why graded music exams are referred to our head office for review in our previous post, we now turn our attention to Classical Performance diplomas. Referrals form an important part of our quality assurance processes and exist to make sure that all candidates are treated fairly and equally. Some of the most common diploma referrals are related to the programme performed so, in this post, we explore what candidates should be particularly mindful of when crafting this.
Performing own choice repertoire
Candidates can find repertoire lists for all of the instruments accepted for a Classical Performance diploma on our website. However, candidates are also welcome to perform their own selections too, provided approval is obtained in advance.
Our programme approval portal enables candidates wishing to perform any own choice repertoire to submit their proposed programme to us for review. Our instrumental specialist will then review the programme, making sure that it, in its entirety, meets the required technical and musical difficulty for the level of exam being taken. If it is approved, candidates receive a letter confirming this to hand to the examiner or upload to the portal when they take/submit their exam. If it does not meet the required level, the candidate will receive feedback as to why this was and be invited to submit a revised programme for review.
Some points to note:
- A programme approval is required ahead of any Classical Performance diploma where own choice repertoire is being performed. It is also required if a candidate wishes to perform a selected part of a work listed in its entirety on the repertoire list, or more of a work than is specified. For example, if a candidate wishes to perform only one or two movements from a sonata, or to perform a whole suite where only two movements are listed.
- The programme approval service only verifies that the proposed programme meets the technical requirements for the level exam being sat; instrumental specialists will not comment on the duration or balance of programme.
- The letter that is issued to a candidate whose programme approval application has been successful must be provided for the examiner at the time of the exam, whether this is handing it to them in a face-to-face exam or uploading it with the submission. Without this, the examiner has no way of knowing the programme has already been approved and therefore has no choice but to refer.
- Any programme that has been approved has been reviewed and approved holistically. This means that the approval letter issued is only valid for as long as the agreed programme is being performed, without any additions or omissions. If this programme is changed in any way – either by changing or adding/removing pieces – if it still contains own choice repertoire, this revised programme will need submitting for approval.
Programme timing and repeats
A key part of the assessment criteria for Classical Performance diplomas is ensuring that the performance duration falls within the timeframe specified in the syllabus for the level of qualification they are taking. For example, ATCL candidates are required to play for between 32-38 minutes – this excludes any non-playing time before, after or between pieces.
Related to this comes a second common referral reason for diplomas: the inclusion of repeats. Page 14 of our Diplomas in Performance syllabus states:
'All da capo and dal segno instructions should be observed. Repeats of the exposition/recapitulation sections and other long repeats, as well as those within variations, should not be played.'
In short, we want to see as much musical content within that specified performance duration as possible. If the performance duration does not fall within the specified timeframe for the exam being taken, or long repeats are included to try and meet this requirement, the exam will be referred.
If you want more information on what a referral is and what it means if an exam is referred, please do check out our previous blog: Understanding Trinity referrals for instrumental exams. And remember, we are always here to guide you with any queries you may have relating to exam prep. Teachers and candidates based in the UK and Ireland can email our support team or book a support call.
Comments & Replies