Conservatoire records one of highest numbers of music students registered for annual examinations |26 July 2019

L to R: Maggie and son Terron Dangkow, and Luigi Ghiani, violin teacher (Photo source: NCPA)

• “We expect to have 100% passes as the students and teachers have worked extremely hard”

Every year it is customary for the National Conservatoire of Performing Arts (NCPA) to hold two theory and one practical for music students who are ready to take on such exams.

This year, the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) practical examinations were held on July 8, 9 and 10 at the School of Music, Mont Fleuri.

The director of Performing Arts, Pierre Joseph, explained to Seychelles NATION that this exam, which is usually held in July, allows the students to demonstrate their performing skills, knowledge of scales, aural and sight reading.

He added that they have to perform three pieces of different styles/era within their respective grade for their particular instrument, and this is worth sixty percent of the total marking.

“Altogether we registered a total number of 68 candidates this year which is one of the most ever recorded and we expect to have 100% passes as the students and teachers have worked extremely hard on those exams,” said Mr Joseph.

“One of the reasons that have provoked the 100% passes was the team effort of the music teaching staff to conduct a well-organised mock examination three/two weeks prior to the actual exam which was compulsory for all NCPA students. This stimulated a more committed work attitude in students who were behind in their preparation.”

He continued, saying that this year, the Conservatoire had the privilege of hosting James Lowry, an examiner with over twenty years teaching experience and ten years as an examiner.

“Mr Lowry spent the long hours of July 8, 9 and 10 at the School of Music to listen to and assess all the 68 candidates presented for guitar, voice, clarinet, flute, trumpet, saxophone, violin, cello and piano; the grade varied from prep-test to grade 7”.

“On behalf of the teachers and management of NCPA, we wish all students success and commend all parents for their dedication towards this annual exam”.

On his part, Antoine Souris, the head of music and music exam representative for Seychelles, made the following remarks:

“Music is after all a performing art, so a performance exam could keep students motivated with a hardworking manner to attain the set objectives of the different grades.

In an ideal process of preparing for a practical exam, students and instructors become more critical to aim for excellence according to individual capability, which as a result improves the students’ musical skills.

ABRSM exams are set at a very good standard and have a respectful reputation worldwide. The fact that music is a universal language, these exams enable our students to achieve the appropriate standard artistically”.

The accompanying photos show some students, parents and teachers taken during the ABRSM practical examinations this year.