Simon – Congratulations on your achievement of the ABRSM Performance Diploma

Simon’s recent ABRSM Performance Diploma exam.

I had thought many times about attempting one of these exams.  The syllabus was kicking round my music shelves for years, occasionally glanced at it but I never felt I had the time to prepare. Then, following retirement things became easier and I decided to go for it! I got lots of encouragement from members of the club, several of whom have advanced performance diplomas. 
At the AB there are four levels beyond grade 8: associate, diploma, licentiate and fellow (NB this is going to change shortly – see the AB website). The associate and diploma levels only required a grade 8 pass to enter which I had from some thirty years ago. I decided to try for the diploma option. This has the same repertoire list as the associate (although the associate also allows a selection of grade 8 pieces of up to 10 minutes duration) but with a slightly longer recital time of 35 minutes instead of 30. Also you have to write your own programme notes on which you are examined, and you do a quick study/ sight reading. Each component – recital, viva and quick study – has to be passed in order to get your DipABRSM. 
So, I chose a programme lasting 35 minutes of contrasting pieces that I liked and thought went well together (Beethoven’s 1st sonata, Bach’s prelude and fugue in D major from Bk 2, Chopin’s C# minor mazurka from op. 50 and Fauré’ s 2nd impromptu). Then followed over a year of serious practice with monthly lessons from Stefan Hofkes, a very talented local conductor and pianist (now, sadly, absent from Bristol and resident in Spain). Much of this was done on our Clavinova in order to preserve the action of our ‘proper piano’ and the sanity of my wife, Jill. I shudder to think how many times I practised some awkward arpeggios in the Beethoven or those tricky semiquaver runs in the Bach Prelude but eventually they came to heel.

Consulting many of my music books and the internet, researching and writing the programme notes was huge fun. I prepared for the quick study by purchasing a book of past examples and working through these. I didn’t think I would be able to do the recital from memory so I considered trying to find a human page turner but after talking to some techno-savvy Club members I decided to buy a blue tooth page turner which works with my laptop.

Then I rehearsed playing all the recital pieces individually over 10 months or so at the Club meetings and had a full scale recital at ours a few weeks in advance of the big day. Plus several run throughs at the Music Club on the piano that is used for the AB exams (a Boston 212 grand) to get used to the action and the sound.
In the exam things seemed to go reasonably well, nerves moderately under control, and then it was wait, wait, wait until after almost 9 weeks I got an e-mail with the results (success !) and the promise of a certificate in the post. 
So, was it worth it – all the hours of preparation, the cost of the lessons, music, page turner and exam fee (over £300)?  Absolutely. I was challenged, stretched, and feel I have significantly developed my confidence and musical skills. 
And what next? – well, I enjoyed myself so much that I am now working towards the next level – the licentiate. The repertoire list is amazing. I had to make some hard choices of pieces to leave out before settling on the list that will make up the 40 – 45 minute programme. So, I am back at work in the mornings, cup of Assam at the little table next to the Clavinova, working up Berg, Fauré, Bach, Brahms and Chopin. Hopefully you will hear all these in the coming months.
In future AB performance exams will be digital – you film and record yourself on a mobile or laptop and submit the mp4 file with a large cheque. So you can use your own piano and record yourself as many times as you like until you get the performance you are happy with. This brings the AB into line with Trinity and possibly other exam boards. So, depending on your personality, possibly a lot less stress. If you do have the time, want to get really deeply into some amazing piano music and perform it to a knowledgeable, critical audience and get some letters after your name, it’s definitely worth considering.
Once again I’d like to say a huge thanks to the Piano Club for giving me the opportunity to perform my pieces and for the friendship and encouragement that have all contributed towards my journey to this result.