I write during a rather chilly spell in the UK. It has been a rewarding term, not least giving piano lessons to children and adults of all ages and at different levels. Exam preparation is omnipresent in my world: this term I have been preparing pupils for Grades 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8 as well as a Diploma exam. Interestingly, I have seen a shift away from live exams in the last few years. For different reasons, not least convenience, candidates or their parents are opting for video exams, something which the ABRSM ushered in during the pandemic, for obvious reasons. To those who consider that this format constitutes a “dumbing-down”, I would say that this is not the case as the candidate has to effectively give a “mini-recital” of four pieces (not the usual three) and present it in such a way that it engages the examiner who is marking it. These exams foster self-reliance in the student, the ability to sustain a performance and confidence in the art of performing at the piano. Video exams are here to stay! They may not be for everyone: they bring their own challenges if, for example, multiple videos need to be taken until the candidate feels satisfied with their performance. However, I emphasise to my students that they should not strive for “perfection” (a dangerous word in my opinion) because we are all human and sometimes things do not always go entirely to plan in a musical performance – as indeed would be the case with a live exam.
I took on two new pupils this term – a little girl who is a beginner and an adult who learnt as a child but had not played for some years. I have also agreed to give some lessons to the older brother of a boy I already teach. This young man apparently learnt some years ago and has now returned to the piano but needs some help with his technique, which I am sure I can sort out!
In February I attended the annual Casio piano teachers’ conference in London where I was given the opportunity to try out the very latest digital pianos made by Casio, which was fun. Piano teaching can be a solitary business so it is always great to get together with fellow teachers and discover how they do things. I was also invited by Casio to an exciting music and drama awards in the West End, a glitzy event which recognises outstanding achievements in these fields.
The day after I returned from London I played for a wedding reception at Brympton House in Somerset, one of my favourite venues, so it was a hectic week!
March brought the Highbridge Festival of the Arts, at which three of my pupils were awarded gold medals and three gained silver medals with several Distinctions so it was a successful day! The pieces ranged from Grade 1 to a difficult piece by Liszt, for which my pupil was awarded 1st place and a very high mark. As he is currently studying for his ARSM Performance Diploma, this was a good opportunity for him to try out one of his pieces in public. Three of my pupils played from memory, which I encourage as it demonstrates a high level of involvement.
I have just received the song list for a wedding breakfast I will be playing for near Salisbury in May so I am busy preparing 40 songs for this event. Two requests that I have not been asked to play at a wedding before are “Chain of Fools” and “Cry me a River”. These rather moody songs are not your usual wedding fare but they are classics and I am looking forward to playing them.
Hopefully by then, summer will be well and truly on its way!
