Annual Review - ABRSM

ABRSM ANNUAL REVIEW 06-0715/5/0711:23Page 8“The Associated Board is now established as theprincipal forum for teachers and learners to discuss anddebate music education issues, with our websiteshosting around one million visits during the past year.”tuition for all those young people who demonstrate a wishor an aptitude to further their instrumental and vocalstudies. In so doing we have emphasized that musiceducation is a continuum from very first access through tothe highest levels of professional performance. As anexamining body naturally concerned with sustained,progressive learning, and yet at the same time encouragingopen access for all, the Associated Board is well placed toact as an advocate for the uniting of these potentiallydivisive music education interests.In closing, I would like not only to thank most warmly allthose who have contributed in their different ways to thewell-being of the Associated Board and its mission over thepast year, but also to celebrate and further encourage thecollaborative and holistic mindset which is essential inserving the music educational needs of all young people inthe future.Young musicians at the High Scorers’ Concert in The Hague.“Throughout the year theAssociated Boardreinforced its role as thekey supplier to, andsupporter of, theindividual music teacherand learner.”8nRichard Mor risChief Executive

ABRSM ANNUAL REVIEW 06-0715/5/0711:23Page 9Message fromthe ChairmanI did not have to be asked twice. When I was approachedabout the possibility of becoming non-executive Chairmanof the Associated Board, the positives effortlessly outweighed the negatives. Yes, there would be more meetingsto add to the list, but these meetings were focused round asingle theme: how to help maintain and enhance the qualityof musical performance in this country and overseas.I appreciate the way in which I have been made to feelwelcome, and even more I appreciate the legacy which Ihave inherited from my exemplary predecessor, John Baker.I also express my profound thanks to the examiners,representatives, course leaders and mentors who, during thelast year, have made such an important contribution to thework of the Associated Board and who continue to do so.I had in the past had opportunity to defend and declare therole of the Royal Schools of Music to the Higher EducationFunding Council, and through them to the government.Here was an opportunity to add such weight as I have tothe wider role of musical education and assessment.That said, I stress that my role is non-executive. It will beeasier to keep it that way and to resist the temptation tomeddle unnecessarily because I have found myself workingwith a lively executive team whose combined experiencegives integrity and strength to the organization.My first impression as I met the executive team and thenthe Board, was the common purpose of commitment toexcellence as the arbiter of policy, decision and action. Thisreaction was quickly complemented by a growingawareness that innovation where appropriate was also partof the texture of the organization. Richard Morris and histeam, as well as the principals of the Royal Schools, look tothe future as well as build on the past.S te war t Suther landChairmanOne great opportunity which does just that is thedevelopment of the international reach of the AssociatedBoard. The British economy more widely has transformeditself into one of the international leaders in providingservices overseas. The Associated Board has learned how todo this over the years, and it has done so withoutcompromising on need for the highest quality andstandards. Great possibilities lie ahead.n9

ABRSM ANNUAL REVIEW 06-0715/5/0711:23Page 10Exams andAssessmentsPupils from Worcestershire Music ServiceOne of the largest projects during the yearwas the creation of new tests for candidateswith special needs: Braille Memory, AuralRepetition and Alternatives to the AuralTests for all instruments. This involvedwriting and moderating thousands ofinstrument-specific tests across the grades,which were published at the end of the year.SYLLABUS DEVELOPMENTS“Using the MusicMedals pieceshas improvedmy pupils’sense of pitchand pulse aswell as theirrhythmic andaural skills.They havebecome animportant part ofmy teachingresources.”Nicola Daw,brass teacher10nGraded exams2006 was an important year for our piano,singing and jazz syllabuses, and for accessissues. In January we began a major reviewof the sight-reading and scale elements ofthe piano syllabus. The review, whichinvolved wide ranging consultation, willresult in a significant revision of theserequirements with effect from 2009. Duringthe year we also published a new pianosyllabus for 2007 and 2008, featuring newrepertoire lists and supported by recordingsand books of Selected Exam Pieces.Music MedalsWe continued to develop resources insupport of our Music Medals assessmentsfor group-taught pupils. The repertoire listsfor all twenty instruments were updated toinclude recently published materials and weproduced new volumes of ensemblerepertoire for groups of mixed brassinstruments and bass clef brass instruments.Our Music Medals Trainers’ Conference inMarch brought together 60 teachers fromUK Music Services who have been involvedin training their colleagues to use theassessments. This was a valuableFor singers, the focus was on developing new opportunity for us to provide guidance onall aspects of Music Medals and forapproaches to sight-singing. These wereparticipants to share experiences and ideas.piloted in the early part of the year and newbooks of specimen sight-singing tests arenow being developed for publication in 2008and use in exams from 2009. We also addedjazz flute at Grades 1 to 5 to the existing jazzinstruments of piano, trumpet, clarinet,trombone and saxophone; the expandedsyllabus was published in August togetherwith a range of jazz flute books and CDs.682 examiners wereinvolved in practical andtheory examining

ABRSM ANNUAL REVIEW 06-0715/5/0711:23Page 11289 Honorary Local Representatives helped with local organizationExams were held at 350public exam centresaround the UK and IrelandRichard Morris with Honorary Local Representatives receivingawards at the Annual LunchFOCUS ON THE UK AND IRELANDKey communicationsOur customer research has already had an impact on oneExam entries in the UK and Ireland rose to more than365,000 during the year with candidates taking their exams of our key communication tools - the ExaminationInformation & Regulations booklet; the UK and Irelandat 350 public centres and at numerous specially arrangededitionwas completely rewritten and redesigned in time forexaminer visits to schools and teachers’ homes.2007 to reflect more closely the needs of teachers.Teachers, parents and candidates also benefited from theCustomer focusProviding a high level of customer service to all those who return of our popular Mini Guide to taking an exam, thistime featuring newly commissioned illustrations.use our exams is of paramount importance and during2006 we put considerable energy into finding ways toWorking with HLRsimprove that service. Through a number of surveys weAs always our Honorary Local Representatives played a keygathered opinions from teachers, and feedback from thisrole in the administration of exams and in fulfilling ourresearch will be used to inform decisions relating to allcustomer service goals. To support HLRs in their work weaspects of exam administration.ran eight seminars around the UK, and to say thank youfor their input we made 36 long service awards to those2006 also saw the publication of our Customer Servicewho had been in the role for periods of 5, 10 and 15 years.Statement, which is applicable worldwide and covers allIn addition, Geoffrey Barham (Sutton), Rowland Chapmanstages of preparing for and taking an exam, and theexpansion of our online services so that teachers in the UK (Barnstaple), and Geoffrey and Brenda Rainbow (Stoke-onand Ireland can access their candidates’ latest exam results Trent) were presented with awards for their 20 years ofservice, and Pat Swales Barker (Haverfordwest), Helenonline and view a personal archive of past results goingRussell (St Andrews), Ann Ware (Skipton) and Helenback to 1994.Hopkins (Swansea) received awards for a remarkable 25years of service.n11

ABRSM ANNUAL REVIEW 06-0715/5/0711:23Page 12222 examiners took part in 362 international examining toursExams were held in 85 international centresOver 100 teachers’ meeting and seminars took placeAndorra INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY2006, over 286,000 exams were taken inAnguilla Duringinternational centres around the world, representingAntigua growth of 2% from 2005 and 21% over the last five years.Australia Almost a third of these were theory exams, with the restmade up of practical graded exams and diplomas. RunningAustria these practical exams involved the organization of 362The Bahamas examining tours with the participation of 220 examiners.Bahrain Working with representativesBangladesh None of this would have been possible without theof our international representatives, contactsBarbados dedicationand consultants. An ongoing programme of events ensuresBelgium that these key partners are informed of all the latestBelize Associated Board developments. In 2006 the ChiefExecutive, Richard Morris, and International OperationsBermuda Director, Tim Arnold, led conferences for representativesBritish Virgin Islands in Germany, Malaysia, New Zealand and the USA. In thein particular, we have witnessed a growing interest inBrunei Darussalam USA,Associated Board exams, and we are delighted thatBulgaria Tennessee’s Lipscomb University now includes AssociatedCanada Board diplomas as part of its music degree programme.Chile Online developmentsChina The internet played an increasingly important role in allof our international work with over 70% of examCyprus aspectsentries in Malaysia and 40% in Singapore made online. WeDominica also developed and piloted a new online examiner briefingthat will give examiners easy access to regularlyCzech Republic systemupdated online support, briefing notes and travelDenmark information.EgyptSeminars for teachersFalkland Islands In addition to conducting exams, our internationalFaroe Islands examiners led over 60 informal meetings for local teachers,members of our specially trained presenter panelFrance whilstgave 30 seminars for teachers, featuring a newly developedGermany DVD. Seminars were held in Bulgaria, China, the CzechDubai, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy,Ghana Republic,Japan, Jordan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, theGibraltar Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and the USA.12n

ABRSM ANNUAL REVIEW 06-0715/5/0711:23Page 13Teachers on a Centenary Travel Grant course in RomePlans were made to increase our workin this area with an additional 21examiners receiving presenter training.These seminars and meetingscomplemented the ProfessionalDevelopment Programme activitiesorganized in conjunction with theDevelopment Department for teachersin Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Macau,Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.In translationTo support a growing interest in ourexams amongst European teachers weproduced a number of resources inlanguages other than English: TheseMusic Exams, our guide to all aspectsof taking an exam, was made availablein German, Italian and Portuguese;Introducing the Associated Board ofthe Royal Schools of Music wastranslated into German, Italian,Portuguese and Spanish; and weproduced an Italian version of ourpopular Mini Guide for parents,teachers and candidates.Staying in touchThroughout the year Associated Boardstaff kept in touch with representatives,teachers, parents and candidates viatelephone and email but also throughface-to-face meetings. Invaluable staffvisits were made to Australia, Bulgaria,China, Cyprus, France, Germany,Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland,Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea,Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro,New Zealand, Romania, Serbia,Slovenia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan andthe USA.GreeceGrenadaGuyanaHong rMalawiMalaysiaMaltaMauritiusMexicoNamibiaThe NetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayOmanThe PhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarSt Kitts & NevisSt LuciaSt VincentSaudi ArabiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSouth AfricaSpainSri andTrinidad & TobagoTurkeyUgandaUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaZambiaZimbabwen13

ABRSM ANNUAL REVIEW 06-0715/5/0711:23Page 14NewResourcesSOUND JUNCTIONThe SoundJunction website, our online learning resourcefor young people, has gone from strength to strength. Sincelaunching in October 2005 the site has had over a quarterof a million visits and has won seven awards, including thehighly prestigious New Media Age and BETT awards.New content added to the site during 2006 has includedlesson plans and teacher packs, musical journeys round theworld, and a brand new Note Canvas Tool for learningabout music theory by listening, interacting and composing.Over 250,000 visits to www.soundjunction.orgSoundJunction won 7 industry awards“I have found teachers expressing surprise and delight at the depth andrange of support in SoundJunction the possibilities it offers the individuallearner are unique it has the potential to transform musical learningand experiences.”Helen Tierney, Head of Music at a comprehensive school and Associated Board examiner14n

ABRSM ANNUAL REVIEW 06-0715/5/0711:23Page 15EncouragingExcellenceScholarships and prizesThrough a range of scholarships,bursaries and prizes we encourage andreward the achievements of youngmusicians.Scholarships were awarded to 20students starting junior, undergraduateand postgraduate courses at four RoyalSchools of Music. These musicians comefrom Australia, Romania, Singapore,South Africa, the UK and the USA, andbetween them are studying the cello,violin, viola, flute, clarinet, french horn,trombone, bagpipes, organ, pianoaccompaniment, singing and percussion.In addition, four Macklin Bursariesprovided funds for existing scholars asthey continued their studies or launchedprofessional careers.For candidates taking graded exams anumber of awards are made on anannual basis. Well over 400 prizes andawards were given to candidates whoachieved high marks in theory andpractical exams during 2006. Atdiploma level, successful candidates inSouth East Asia and Hong Kongcelebrated their achievements atDiploma Award Ceremonies inSingapore and Hong Kong.Performance opportunitiesThousands of young musicians aroundthe world took part in High Scorers’Concerts. These events give studentswho have excelled in their exams theopportunity to celebrate theirachievements with family, friends,teachers and local communities. Theyalso provide valuable performanceexperience for learners of all ages, andat all levels, from Prep Test to diploma.In the UK and Ireland, Honorary LocalRepresentatives organized 20 HighScorers’ Concerts taking place in Bolton,Bangor, Bridgend, Chippenham,Darlington, Doncaster, Dublin, the Isle ofMan, Northampton, Paignton, Sunburyon-Thames, Swansea and Taunton.Concerts were also organized by ourRepresentatives in France, Grenada, India,Indonesia, Jamaica, Korea, Kuwait,Malaysia, Malta, Malaysia, theNetherlands, Norway, Singapore, SouthAfrica, Sri Lanka, the United States andUganda.For young musicians studying onAssociated Board scholarships at thefour Royal Schools of Music, ourScholars’ Concert at the Royal Academyof Music in October provided ashowcase for their considerable talents.During the concert, talented studentsfrom China, Bulgaria, Romania, Russia,South Africa and the UK performed arich and varied selection of music forharp, piano, cello, violin and voice.499 prizes andawards were givento exceptionalexam candidatesDiploma Award Ceremony in Hong KongMore than 50High Scorers’Concerts wereheld in19 countriesn15

ABRSM ANNUAL REVIEW 06-0715/5/0711:23Page 16PublishingThe publishing programme for 2006 was dominated by theissue of a new piano syllabus and the relevant supportingmaterials. However, there was also a major expansion ofrecording activity – a notable development during the year- and there were some interesting innovations. The latestaddition to the Spectrum series came along in October –Spectrum for Clarinet. And, for the first time, Theory ofMusic Model Answers were published for Grades 1 to 5,providing a helpful and practical resource for teachers andpupils preparing for theory exams. Overall, 182 titles,including 143 sales titles, were produced in the year. Inaddition, the Production Department prepared 125 printeditems for various Associated Board departments.New titlesThe key publishing event was the release of the new SelectedPiano Exam Pieces 2007-2008. The usual package of eightgraded albums, eight sets of CDs containing the completesyllabus selection, and the Teaching Notes for Grades 1 to 7,was supplemented this year by two innovations. WithRoland UK, we produced MIDI files of the Selected PianoExam Pieces for Grades 1 to 5. For those using Rolanddigital pianos, the files facilitated separate-hands and slowpractice. We also provided ringtones of a number of pieces,allowing students to show off their favourite piano exampiece on their mobile phones.Spectrum for Clarinet followed the model of Spectrum forCello, with 16 pieces, two at each grade, from a mixture ofwell-known and up-and-coming composers. The pieceswere chosen by Ian Mitchell who also contributed a superbCD of all the pieces with the initiator of the Spectrumseries, Thalia Myers, at the piano.16n

ABRSM ANNUAL REVIEW 06-0715/5/0711:23Page 172,138,078 ABRSM Publishing titles sold in 2006As well as recordings of piano exam pieces and theSpectrum clarinet works, CDs of syllabus pieces for oboe,bassoon and saxophone were released for the first time.Through this initiative we hoped to encourage the take-upof exams for these instruments by helping students andteachers to choose their pieces, and then to prepare for theexam using the minus-one piano tracks. These recordingswere warmly welcomed by the wind teaching community.There were significant additions to both the jazz and MusicMedals syllabuses. Jazz flute for Grades 1 to 5 was greetedwith great acclaim by teachers and the music press andthere was universal praise in reviews of our new books ofMusic Medals Ensemble Pieces for brass.Sales and marketingThe major development in this area was the appointmentof our very first ABRSM Publishing Sales Executive.Promo

USA: ABRSM Publishing attends the International Association for Jazz Education Conference FEBRUARY UK: first in a series of five workshops on contemporary piano pieces from Spectrum 4 UK: Music for Youth Regional Festival Series begins, sponsored by the Associated Board MARCH Germany: ABRSM Publishing attends the Frankfurt Music Fair