01 Lib2-12 Cover.qxd 8/5/12 13:39 Page 1 2012:2 www.abrsm.org LibrettoABRSM news and views Developing Jazz Techniques A four-day residential course for instrumental teachers 14–17 August 2012 The Beeches Conference Centre Bournville, Birmingham • Improve your jazz playing skills Closing date for booking: 16 July • Gain confidence in teaching jazz to your students • Add fun and variety to your lessons Developing Jazz Techniques is presented by renowned The course will cover all aspects of jazz playing and jazz educators Malcolm Edmonstone (piano) and Jeffery teaching, with a particular focus on: Wilson (clarinet and saxophone). • Rhythmic styles: swing, rock and Latin The course is aimed at teachers with some experience • Modes and scales and their use when improvising of jazz who would like to develop their playing and understanding further. • Chords and symbols and how to interpret them It offers an opportunity to work on your playing skills and • Phrasing and articulation strengthen your understanding of the background, theory • Improvisation and principles of jazz, giving you more confidence when using this idiom with your students. • Playing by ear and from notation For further course information, visit: www.abrsm.org/cpd or call us on +44 (0)20 7467 8226 03 Lib1-12 Contents.qxd 2/5/12 14:25 Page 3 8 11 Outlook s we went to print with this issue of Libretto, we welcomed Lincoln Abbotts as ABRSM’s new ATeaching and Learning Development Director. In this new role, Lincoln will be leading our ongoing work to nurture a stronger relationship with instrumental and singing teachers around the world. Our long term aim is to be in a position where we can provide the services, guidance and inspiration that teachers need to carry out their invaluable work in passing musical knowledge and 16 21 skills on to the next generation of musicians. We know that there is much to do here, but that we also have a solid foundation on which to build. One aspect of this can be seen in our current professional development provision, and in this issue we announce details of our forthcoming UK conferences and continuing professional Libretto development programme. There’s also information about 16 DipABRSM guidance: the our CT ABRSM Plus courses in the UK, which give COVER STORY viva voce and quick study teachers the chance to invest time and energy in 11 Preparing for performance A look at what’s involved, with developing their skills, knowledge and careers. Carole Jenner-Timms outlines advice from ABRSM experts I also hope that Libretto itself makes a contribution ways to ensure that your to your day-to-day work. On the following pages you will students have a positive 19 Music Medals in action find a number of articles on issues surrounding performing experience We find out what happened performance and what teachers can do to help their when a group of young students with this important aspect of being a musician. FEATURES violinists took their first Carole Jenner-Timms advises on performance ABRSM Music Medals preparation (page 11), whilst on page 14 we look at 8 Shining Brass A preview of the exam experience, from arriving at the venue to our forthcoming books for 21 Managing performance receiving the results. Finally, Marion Long completes brass players featuring new anxiety: a continuation her exploration of performance anxiety on page 21. pieces by top composers In her second article, Here at ABRSM we are excited about our new Shining Marion Long focuses on Brass books, due out in July to coincide with the 12 Cultivating musical sustainable solutions to publication of our new Brass syllabus. Turn to page 8 to conversations performance anxiety read more about these books, which provide a set of ABRSM’s Syllabus Director, newly-commissioned pieces for brass players. We also Nigel Scaife, on the value of take a look at learning at both ends of the spectrum: from encouraging students to REGULARS young violinists taking their first ABRSM Music Medals talk about the music they 4 News ABRSM (page 19) to advice and tips for the viva voce and quick are learning developments worldwide study elements of the DipABRSM diploma (page 16). Wherever your interests lie, I hope there is something 14 The exam experience 22 Inbox Readers’ here to capture your attention, spark your imagination and What to expect on the day and feedback and views support your teaching. how to prepare for it Guy Perricone Chief Executive Editor-in-Chief Tony Pinkham ABRSM Libretto is designed for ABRSM by © The Associated Board of the Royal Schools Editor Lucy North 24 Portland Place Impromptu Publishing of Music. All rights reserved. Unauthorised London W1B 1LU 5th Floor Clarendon House reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited Insert & advertising sales United Kingdom 81 Mosley Street without permission. The views expressed in Michaela Duckett Libretto are not necessarily those of ABRSM; T +44 (0)20 7636 5400 Manchester M2 3LQ T +44 (0)121 429 4362 neither are the products or services appearing in E libretto@ abrsm.ac.uk T +44 (0)161 236 9526 E libretto-adsales@ mail.com advertisements and inserts endorsed by ABRSM. www.abrsm.org www.impromptupublishing.com COVER PHOTO: CHRIS CHRISTODOULOU COURTESY OF REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 292182 Designer Josephine Garty THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 04-06 Lib2-12 News.qxd 14/5/12 09:40 Page 4 4 News New ABRSM role heralds fresh approach to work with teachers e are delighted to welcome Lincoln will be building on this as we WLincoln Abbotts as our Teaching continue to give greater priority to our and Learning Development Director. work with teachers.’ Lincoln took on this new role in April, Lincoln comes to ABRSM with a strong with responsibility for our professional background in music education. He was development courses as well as for previously Chief Executive of the UK’s developing a broader programme of Music for Youth charity and has worked at services for teachers. The new post the BBC and the Guildhall School of Music replaces the role of Professional & Drama. Throughout his career he has Development Director held by Richard been active as a flute teacher, composer, Crozier, who has retired after 17 years. conductor and workshop leader. ‘During his time here, Richard made a ‘Today’s music education landscape very significant contribution to our offers a wealth of opportunity where it is activities,’ commented ABRSM’s Chief vital for teachers to feel supported and be Executive, Guy Perricone. ‘In addition to inspired to further their own professional our exams and assessments, we already development,’ said Lincoln. ’It’s wonderful have in place a range of support for to be joining ABRSM at this exciting time to teachers, including publications, help provide support and inspiration for conferences, courses and online resources. teachers worldwide.’ South African teachers Booking open for awarded jazz travel grants UK conferences ur popular UK conferences for teachers Oare back, with events planned in Birmingham, Manchester and London between September and November this year. In putting together this year’s conferences we have drawn on recommendations from teachers e congratulate three young These will include one-to-one and previous delegates. As a result, we hope Wteachers from South Africa who instrumental coaching, lectures, that these events will again offer an engaging are this year’s recipients of the ABRSM instrumental workshops and lesson programme for a wide range of teachers. Centenary Travel Grant Fund. Flautist observations, all with a focus on jazz. We have sessions planned on a number of Ilke Lea Alexander, pianist and Ilke, Hayley and Justin have taken exam-related subjects, including: new Piano saxophonist Hayley White, and different career paths, involving a mix of and Brass syllabus repertoire, Grades 6 to 8 trombonist Justin Sasman will each teaching, performing and outreach work, aural tests and Jazz exams. In addition, our receive funding to travel to and study at but are all looking forward to the unique ‘From the Examiner’s Chair’ sessions will Manchester’s Royal Northern College of experience and challenge which this focus on Theory exams at Grades 1 to 5 and Music (RNCM) from September to grant will offer. ‘I’m extremely excited DipABRSMs in Teaching and Performing. December this year. about this life-time opportunity to study More broadly, sessions on simultaneous The Centenary Travel Grant Fund at the RNCM,’ commented Hayley. ‘I’m practice, creating a curriculum, improvisation was established during ABRSM’s looking forward to more exposure to the and interpretation should ensure that the centenary in 1989. Since then it world of jazz and the chance to be a conferences provide something for everyone. has given teachers worldwide the student again.’ Importantly, the scheme New for this year will be our Technology opportunity to study at one of the also gives participants the chance to Room, with staff on hand to demonstrate and UK’s Royal Schools as part of their take ideas back to their own country. For answer questions. There will also be plenty of professional development. This year’s Ilke, this is an opportunity to ‘learn and opportunities to ask general questions about grants were open to South Africa-based absorb what I can and then convey it, ABRSM and music teaching, with answers teachers with a particular interest with thought and adaptation, to my provided by ABRSM staff and presenters. in jazz. students and peers when I return.’ The conferences will take place on 22 and While at the RNCM, Ilke, Hayley and Look out for more about this year’s 23 September in Birmingham, 6 and 7 October Justin will have their own mentors and Travel Grant teachers, and their in Manchester, and 17 and 18 November in personalised study programmes, experiences at the RNCM, in future London.