ABRSM Grade 3 Distinction

Today I had the great pleasure of presenting an ABRSM Grade 3 Distinction certificate to my pupil Erin. Her second distinction this year!

Erin played a wonderful programme consisting of  Handel: Gavotte in G, HWV 491, Haydn: Andante (2nd movt from Trumpet Concerto in E flat, Hob. VIIe:1), arr. White, Grechaninov: Riding the Hobby-Horse (No. 5 from Children’s Album, Op. 98) and finishing with Ailbhe McDonagh: Anastasia (from It’s a Piano Thing, Book 2).

The examiners notes were a pleasure to read: Handel: Gavotte in G, HWV 491 “…the final crescendo was well graduated and the pulse was firmly held, making this an assured performance.”, Haydn: Andante (2nd movt from Trumpet Concerto in E flat, Hob. VIIe:1) “There was some well crafted shaping within the phrases and the notes were all Secure.”, Grechaninov: Riding the Hobby-Horse (No. 5 from Children’s Album, Op. 98) “…there was clear attention paid to the realisation of dynamic detail which helped to make this a characterful performance.”, Ailbhe McDonagh: Anastasia (from It’s a Piano Thing, Book 2) “The lyrical qualities of the music were helped by the well sustained tone in the melody and some cohesive shaping of the phrases.”

Summing up the performance “A clear realisation of the phrase and line, together with good detail in articulation helped to give individual character and distinctness to each of the chosen works and they were aptly differentiated in their musical identities. The framing of the pieces was well judged, with suitable space between items to allow for changes in mood, and there was conviction and poise shown in most of the playing that helped to convey a sense of performance.”

I would like to thank Erin 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.