ABRSM Grade 3 Distinction

Today I had the great pleasure of presenting an ABRSM Grade 3 Distinction certificate to my pupil Elissa.

Elissa played a wonderful programme consisting of Handel: Gavotte in G, HWV 491, Ailbhe McDonagh: Anastasia (from It’s a Piano Thing, Book 2), Sarah Watts: Scary Stuff (from Razzamajazz Repertoire Piano) and finishing with Haydn: Andante (2nd movt from Trumpet Concerto in E flat, Hob. VIIe:1), arr. White.

The examiners notes were a pleasure to read: Gavotte in G, HWV 491 “Brightly played with a light touch and some effective nuance in the articulation of the melodic patterns.”, Ailbhe McDonagh: Anastasia (from It’s a Piano Thing, Book 2) “There was a feel for the one in a bar emphasis and the dynamic contours added shape and colour to the music.”, Sarah Watts: Scary Stuff (from Razzamajazz Repertoire Piano) “The tempo was well maintained and this created a feel for the musical mood.”, Haydn: Andante (2nd movt from Trumpet Concerto in E flat, Hob. VIIe:1), arr. White. “Gently played with a lyrically shaped and legato melodic line. Accompanying chords were neat and light and there was a feel for the light and shade in the dynamic shapes.”

Summing up the performance “The sequence of items was effective, showing the contrasts between the pieces and musical involvement was evident in the playing… Congratulations on a convincing performance.”

I would like to thank Elissa for her hard work as we finalised the preparation in the lead-up to the exam and also her parents for having confidence in me to teach her.