The Exam-Life Balance
I'm aware that a number of students across the UK are now fast-approaching their GCSE, AS and A-Level summer exams. I know how important these exams are and how stressful…
When I Grow Up? Musical Journeys
Some of you may have seen this feature on BBC Breakfast today about 20,000 seven to 11-year-olds who'd been asked to draw pictures of the job they want to do…
Review: ABRSM Songbooks Plus
At the end of October 2017, ABRSM published its new Songbook Plus series, designed to complement the existing Songbook range. There is a new book for each of Grades 1-5,…
Review: ABRSM Singing Syllabus 2018
A few weeks ago, ABRSM released its revised singing syllabus for use from 2018. This is the first update to the syllabus since 2009. ABRSM state that they have ‘refreshed’…
Taking Part in a Local Music Festival: A Performer’s Experience
Thank you to Ruth Carlyle for allowing me to reproduce this article which she contributed to my end-of-term newsletter in December 2016: Have you thought about taking part in the…
Review: ABRSM Flute Syllabus 2018-2021
As many of you will know, ABRSM released it's new flute syllabus this week to cover the period 2018-2021. Yesterday afternoon, I had the opportunity to play through many of…
Music Lessons and Revision
We're just entering exam season here in the UK. The bulk of AS and A-Level exams begin this week, and GCSEs soon after. Virtually all 16-18 year olds are affected…
Should We Care About the Sheet Music We Play From?
In the days of yore (well, let's say 20 years ago), when I wanted a piece of sheet music, I really had two options: either I went to a music…
DipLCM in Piano Performance: My Experiences
I almost subtitled this post: ‘Anyone can do a diploma if I can, three days after coming out of hospital, and minus my gallbladder’… As I think everyone knows by…
Why a Grade 1 Pass is a Superb Result!
We're very focussed these days on results. I am conscious that when I send my own students for flute, piano or singing exams here in Lichfield and beyond, it is the…