Students excel in ABRSM practical exams

Towards the end of the semester, 45 music students signed up to be tested by visiting examiner Margaret Cowling of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), London, 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.

The ABRSM examination has been held in Woodstock for several decades and a consistently high number of Woodstock students have opted to take this exam. "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. The typical practical examination of the ABRSM tests the student's skill in sight reading, scales, oral presentation, theory, and ear test.

This year, Woodstock boasted a total of 13 different instruments as well as voice. The instruments examined 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 also assessed."

The five students receiving a distinction 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 distinction were invited to a special tea with the principal Dr. David Laurenson on Thursday, December 10th.