Topic 1: Welcome to ABRSM · Sight-reading/singing tests illustrate the gradual, increasing difficulties which ... progressive development of essential instrumental or vocal skills

Topic 1: Welcome to ABRSM Key objectives: To engage with potential customers, promoting who we are, what we offer and how we can support teachers.

Introduction (10-15 mins)

• Welcome • Explain the nature of the discussion and the topic you will be covering • Introductions: first name, instruments taught, number of years teaching

• Prompt a few teachers to share their reasons for coming to this discussion Discussion (50 – 60 mins) Stimulus questions

Welcome to ABRSM (20mins) Representative PowerPoint presentation - Succinct introduction to ABRSM

- Includes Grade 1 video example • Have you entered for ABRSM exams, how many candidates and how was your experience? • Do you currently use a different exam board and why?

• Do you feel exams are a good way to encourage musical achievement and why?

‘Why take a music exam?’ These Music Exams, Chapter 1 Prompt points • ABRSM exam requirements • Incorporating exam requirements into lessons • Methods and tips for encouraging practice and inspiring exam performance confidence

The ABRSM Practice Notebook - Filled with useful hints and advice on practising and exam preparation - Allows teachers to record students’ progress and set goals - Includes a whole years’ lesson notes, end of year report, holiday

practice time-table and diary

Summary (10 – 15 mins)

• Summary of main discussion points • Provide contact details

• Thank you Additional stimulus materials:

• Examination Information & regulations: International edition 2011 • Motivating musical achievement: Welcome to ABRSM (booklet) • Your exam - Mini guide to exams for candidates, teachers and parents (flyer) • Getting started! What to expect at your ABRSM exam (flyer) • Libretto – ABRSM magazine offering articles on broad range of music education topics.

Topic 2: Teaching beginners Key objective: To promote that ABRSM exams are designed to motivate students of all levels and ages, giving a series of realistic goals and tangible rewards for their achievements.

Introduction (10-15 mins)

• Welcome • Explain the nature of the discussion and the topic you will be covering • Introductions: first name, instruments taught, number of years teaching

• Prompt a few teachers to share how many beginners they are currently teaching Discussion (50 – 60 mins) Stimulus questions

• Who motivates the learning experience – schools, children, parents, teachers? What role do each of them play?

Raising an Amazing Musician Advice includes: music making with the very young; recognising and encouraging musicality; choosing the right instrument; getting the most out of lessons; encouraging practice and music exams

• What do you think motivates adults to want to start learning an

instrument?

ABRSM Performance Assessment Alternative assessment that might be attractive to the adult learner

• Do you think there is enough support for young learners in schools?

Prompt points

• Differences in teaching young children and older beginners

• Methods to encourage young learners to practise

The ABRSM Practice Notebook - Filled with useful hints and advice on practising and exam preparation

- Allows teachers to record students’ progress and set goals

• Exercises and techniques they use to solve problems

• Identifying and nurturing young talent Summary (10 – 15 mins)


• Thank you Other related products

• ABRSM Prep Test (Various instruments) • ABRSM Scales, arpeggios and sight-reading publications for Grades 1 – 5 • First Steps in Music Theory, Grades 1 –5

• The Music Teacher’s Companion: A Practical Guide • ABRSM piano albums series for lower and middle grades

• Being an Effective Teacher online course for teachers www.abrsm.org/ecourse

Topic 3: Teaching groups Key objectives: To promote that ABRSM offers a wide range products, resources and professional development courses to support teachers.

Introduction (10-15 mins) • Welcome • Explain the nature of the discussion and the topic you will be covering • Introductions: first name, instruments taught, number of years teaching

• Prompt a few teachers to share the types and size of groups they teach Discussion (50 – 60 mins) Prompt points

• Advantages and disadvantages for teaching in groups • Main differences between teaching in groups and teaching individuals • How factors of size, age, instrument and level affect teaching techniques

• Methods and strategies used

All Together! Teaching music in groups An indispensable resource that celebrates the value of group teaching in today’s music curriculum. - issues central to group teaching - group dynamics and motivation

- practical and creative teaching methods

• Exercises and techniques they use to solve common problems • How to access both group and individual progress

Ensembles syllabus Designed to stimulate and encouraged musicians to make music together

• How to encourage supportive group dynamic

• Lesson planning for groups Summary (10 – 15 mins)



• The Music Teacher’s Companion: A Practical Guide

• Music Medals Ensemble Pieces (Various instruments) • Keyboards together, Books 1 – 5


Topic 4: Exam preparation

Key objectives: To promote that ABRSM exams are designed to motivate students of all levels and ages, giving them a series of realistic goals and tangible rewards for their achievements. ABRSM has a wide range of exam support resources.

Introduction (10-15 mins) • Welcome • Explain the nature of the discussion and the topic you will be covering

• Introductions: first name, instruments taught, number of years teaching • How many students they will be entering for a music exam this year

Discussion (50 – 60 mins) Prompt points

• Average number of months to prepare students for exam • Student performance recitals to encourage pupils to gain performance experience

• The exam experience – What to expect at your ABRSM exam

‘On the day’, These music exams, Chapter 3

• Coping with nerves or upset before an exam

• Warming up

Getting started! What to expect at your ABRSM exam (flyer) Your exam - Mini guide to exams for candidates, teachers and parents (flyer)

• Using ABRSM exam support publications

Specimen Sight-Reading Tests (various instruments) & Specimen Sight-Singing Tests Scales & Arpeggios (various instruments) Musicianship in Practice

• New Aural for 2011

Specimen Aural Tests from 2011 with and without CD, Grades 1 - 8

- Features minor modifications from 2011 - Practice examples

- Includes examiner rubrics Aural for 2011: Interview with Nigel Scaife and John Holmes (25mins), ABRSM podcast: www.abrsm.org/downloads

Specimen Aural Tests (from 2011), ABRSM website: www.abrsm.org/mockauraltests - Download mock aural tests

Summary (10 – 15 mins) • Summary of main discussion points • Provide contact details


• NEW Selected Piano Exam Pieces for 2011 & 2012

• Aural Training in Practice (New edition - published early 2011) • Libretto – offers articles on broad range of music education topics

• ABRSM Performer’s Guides to the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras (Diploma preparation)


Topic 5: Repertoire Key objective: To promote that as part of ABRSM’s commitment to excellence in music education, we provide a rich resource of published material to help everyone get the most out of music making.



• Selecting repertoire from ABRSM publications

ABRSM Publications catalogue from 2010

• Building on exam repertoire • The level at which students start choosing their own repertoire • Selecting music from different eras

ABRSM Performer’s Guides of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras - Includes detailed account of notation and performers interpretation for

each era - Specialist advice to singers, keyboard, string and wind players - Will help teachers and students achieve stylish performances

• Piano repertoire

Wide ranging piano catalogue - collections of repertoire for pianists of all abilities Beethoven’s 35 Piano Sonatas - Multi-award winning critical edition by specialist Prof. Barry Cooper - Full commentary, history and interpretation notes - Recommended for Grades 5 -8+

• Contemporary repertoire

Spectrum series of contemporary works

- Multi-award winning, available for piano, cello, violin, clarinet

• Repertoire for singers

The ABRSM Songbook - Features over 100 art songs, drawn from Grades 1-5 syllabus

- Award winning five volume series



• The Form of Music – Introduction to musical forms and structures from 17th Century onwards

• Extraordinary life series – Includes Bach; Elgar; Mozart and Purcell

Topic 6: Teaching resources

Key objective: To promote that ABRSM supports the continuing professional development of teachers through innovative courses, publications and online resources.


Discussion (50 – 60 mins)

Prompt points • Sources used to get teaching resources • Commonly used exercises and games • Favourite journal; magazine; method or teaching book

All Together! Teaching music in groups Includes: issues central to group teaching; group dynamics and motivation; practical and creative teaching methods The Music Teacher’s Companion: A Practical Guide Includes: Expert advice and teaching strategies; solutions to teaching problems; tips for lesson planning

• Online resources

ABRSM Teachers’ webpages: www.abrsm.org/teachers Includes information on ABRSM courses/seminars, teaching resources and links SoundJunction - Produced by ABRSM, this award winning online resource for teachers and students is full of materials and activities that can be used to support music learning: www.soundjunction.org

• How to keeping abreast of changes in music education and refresh ideas • Sharing ideas with other teachers

Being an Effective Teacher

A short online course designed to explore good practice and to develop confident, reflective Teachers. Booking and course information: www.abrsm.org/ecourse

ABRSM Online teachers forum: www.abrsm.org/forum


• Thank you Other related products:

• CT ABRSM Plus: Available in UK, Hong Kong & Singapore. New vodcast: www.abrsm.org/ctplus • Specimen Aural Tests (from 2011), ABRSM website: www.abrsm.org/mockauraltests • Libretto – ABRSM magazine offering articles on broad range of music education topics.

Topic 7: Syllabuses

Key objective: To promote that ABRSM exams are designed to motivate students of all levels and ages, giving them a series of realistic goals and tangible rewards for their achievements.



How are ABRSM syllabuses are created? Interview with Nigel Scaife, ABRSM’s Syllabus Director and Robert Sargant, Syllabus Manager (20mins). ABRSM podcast: www.abrsm.org/downloads

Prompt points • Flexibility and choice of ABRSM syllabuses

• Frequency and refreshment of ABRSM syllabuses

• New syllabuses for 2011

New Syllabuses from ABRSM (flyer) NEW Selected Piano Exam Pieces for 2011 & 2012 with CD, Grades 1 – 8 NEW Organ Scales, Arpeggios and Exercises NEW Organ Specimen Sight-Reading Tests (from 2011) Grades 1–8

• Using ABRSM syllabuses to build students skills and help them understand music in a wider context

• Choosing exam pieces – meeting different student needs • Most popular exam pieces amongst students and why • Keeping teaching fresh and fun • Scales, sight-reading, quick study and traditional song • New Aural for 2011

Specimen Aural Tests from 2011 with and without CD, Grades 1 - 8 - Features minor modifications from 2011 - Practice examples

- Includes examiner rubrics


• Thank you Other related products:

• These Music Exams (booklet) • New Syllabuses for 2010: Interview with Nigel Scaife, ABRSM’s Syllabus Director and Robert Sargant,

Syllabus Manager (14mins) ABRSM podcast: www.abrsm.org/downloads • Aural for 2011: Interview with Nigel Scaife and John Holmes (25mins), ABRSM podcast:

www.abrsm.org/downloads

• Specimen Aural Tests (from 2011) - download mock tests: www.abrsm.org/mockauraltests • Download syllabuses: www.abrsm.org/syllabuses

Topic 8: Sight-reading, Aural Tests and technical requirements

Key objective: To promote that supporting tests are an integral part of ABRSM Practical exams. Developing aural awareness is fundamental to musical training as it impacts on all aspects of musicianship. Sight-reading/singing tests illustrate the gradual, increasing difficulties which candidates will be required to face. The technical requirements at each grade comprise a progressive development of essential instrumental or vocal skills.



• The importance of Sight-reading, Aural Tests and technical requirements for all-round musical development

• Lesson exercises and ideas for developing sight-reading and aural skills • Techniques for integrating into group lessons

• Encouraging students to practice technical requirements • Using ABRSM supporting publications

Specimen Sight-Reading Tests (various instruments) & Specimen Sight-Singing Tests - Useful practice material for exam preparation - Tests explore different keys, styles and moods

Scales & Arpeggios (various instruments) Joining the Dots

- Five book series helps piano students build confidence at sight reading

- Warm-up, technical and simple improvisation exercises - Short characterful sight-reading pieces and duets

• New Aural for 2011

Specimen Aural Tests from 2011 with and without CD, Grades 1 - 8 - Features minor modifications from 2011 - Practice examples

- Includes examiner rubrics

• Encouraging students to increase their listening repertoire


• Thank you

Other related products:

• Aural Training in Practice (New edition available 2011) • Aural for 2011: Interview with Nigel Scaife and John Holmes (25mins), ABRSM podcast:

www.abrsm.org/downloads

• Specimen Aural Tests (from 2011) - download mock tests: www.abrsm.org/mockauraltests • Download syllabuses: www.abrsm.org/syllabuses • These music exams (booklet)

Topic 9: Theory of Music

Key objective: ABRSM advocates that developing literacy with the tonal language forms a key part of a rounded education for performers. We believe that a thorough understanding of all elements of music is essential for a full and satisfying performance at Grades 6-8, therefore pass level at Grade 5 Theory of Music or Practical Musicianship is a prerequisite for entering for higher grades. This discussion promotes the theory syllabus as a key driver for musical achievement and all ABRSM’s supporting resources.



Theory: why do it? (11mins) Interview with Clara Taylor. ABRSM podcast www.abrsm.org/downloads

Prompt points

• The importance of music theory for all-round musical development • Incorporating music theory into early development

First Steps in Music Theory – Step by step introduction to the essential elements of music theory, supports students from Grades 1 - 5

• Practical exercises and techniques • Creative learning ideas

SoundJunction - Produced by ABRSM, this award winning online resource for teachers and students is full of materials and activities that can be used to support music learning: www.soundjunction.org

• Techniques for memorising key signatures • Encouraging students to study away from lessons • Preparing for exams: common problems and teaching solutions

Music Theory in Practice Grades 1-8 - Each book contains worked examples and practice exercises

Music Theory in Practice Grades 1-5 Model Answers Theory of Music Exams, past papers 2009 Theory of Music Exams, past papers 2010 (Available Jan 2011)


• Thank you

Other related products

• Harmony in Practice • The Form of Music • ABRSM Theory resources (flyer) • Theory Workbook Grades 6 –8

Topic 10: Diplomas

Key objective: To promote that ABRSM’s fully accredited diploma exams carry worldwide recognition. The expectations and demands of these diplomas are very much a reflection of ABRSM’s unique and distinctive examining status. They are appropriate for a wide range of candidates and compatible with systems of assessment applied in higher education worldwide.

Introduction (10-15 mins) • Welcome • Explain the nature of the discussion and the topic you will be covering • Introductions: first name, teacher or diploma candidate


What should I do after Grade 8? ABRSM Diplomas. Interview with Clara Taylor. ABRSM Podcast: www.abrsm.org/downloads (12mins)

Prompt points

• Musical development and preparation after Grade 8 • Choosing the right diploma • Choosing a programme • Writing programme notes • How to study around other commitments

Writing Programme Notes: A guide for diploma candidates (online): www.abrsm.org/downloads Music in words: A Guide to Researching and Writing about Music - Much needed support and reference tool for students preparing for Diploma exams

• Developing performance style

ABRSM Performer’s Guides to the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras - Includes detailed account of notation and performers interpretation for

each era - Specialist advice to singers, keyboard, string and wind players - Will help teachers and students achieve stylish performances

� Developing teaching skills � Importance of professional qualifications

Summary (10 – 15 mins) • Summary of main discussion points

• Provide contact details • Thank you

Other related products

• Achieving Success (DVD) • Diploma Syllabus: Instrumental/Vocal Teaching • Diploma Syllabus: Music Direction • Diploma Syllabus: Music Performance • Diploma guide (A5 booklet, available Jan 2011) • Diplomas at a glance (online guide): www.abrsm.org/downloads • CT ABRSM Plus (UK, Hong Kong & Singapore): www.abrsm.org/ctplus

Documents

Topic 1: Welcome to ABRSM · Sight-reading/singing tests illustrate the gradual, increasing difficulties which ... progressive development of essential instrumental or vocal skills