Students excel in ABRSM Practical Exams

Towards the end of the semester, 45 music students at Woodstock signed up to be tested by visiting examiner Margaret Cowling of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), London, which is a world-leading authority on musical assessment. Out of these 45, a record five students in Woodstock received a Distinction, which is the highest result, obtained only by those who score 130 or more out of the maximum 150 points in the practical examination.

The ABRSM examination has been held in Woodstock for several decades and there has been a consistently high number of students from Woodstock who have opted to sit these exams. The exams are held at different levels, starting at Prep, and then Levels 1-8, followed by a special Diploma test. "It is quite an achievement to get a distinction in these exams, especially in the higher levels where it gets much tougher," says Ravi Arthur, head of the Music Department.

Students were exmined in a total of 13 different instruments as well as voice. The instruments were: Clarinet, Piano, 'Cello, Trumpet, Horn, Violin, Percussion, Alto Saxophone, Guitar, Viola, Flute, Bassoon, and Bass. "The range of instruments performed in these examinations has been very impressive," added Arthur, "It is the first time the students have taken the percussion exam, and rarely-done exams in brass instruments and some string-based instruments were done, too."

The typical practical examination of the ABRSM tests the student's skill in sight reading, scales, oral presentation, theory, and ear test.

The five students who received a Distinction this year were: Jungshi Caius Jamir (Violin Level 3) of Grade 7, Mok Young Kim (Piano Level 8) of Grade 9, Tashi Ngudup Lama (Guitar Level 5), Tae Haeng Lee (Trumpet Level 3), and Rignor Wangchuk (Bass Level 3) of Grade 10.

The students receiving a distinction were called in for a special tea with the principal Dr. David Laurenson on Thursday, December 10th.