SPRING 2019 The London College of Music is the largest specialist music and performing arts institution in the UK.
LCM Music Theatre Exams Please note that these internationally recognised qualifications attract UCAS points from Grade 6 upwards. How much? Grade 1: 45 (typically Year 7-9 with little or no performing experience) Grade 2: 51 (typically Year 7-9 with a very small amount of performing experience) Grade 3: 57 (typically Year 7-9 with some performing experience) Grade 4: 61 (typically Year 9-10 with some performing experience) Grade 5: 67 (typically Year 9-10 keen and confident performer) Grade 6: 77 (direct entry to this exam is at the discretion of PAC) Grade 7: 84 (you must have passed Grade 6 with Merit or Distinction) Grade 8: 96 (you must have passed Grade 7 with Merit or Distinction) DipLCM: 194 (you must have passed Grade 8 with Distinction to enter for this letter-bearing award) When? The deadline for entry is midnight on February 8 th 2019. The exam will be held in the second half term of 2019 and before the Easter holidays. How do I enter? This has changed from previous years and you PAC will no longer accept cheques. You/parent/carer/guardian will need to register online at eric.uwl.ac.uk and follow the steps as directed. A few points: Ensure that you spell your name exactly as you wish it to appear on the certificate under candidate The booker will be whoever is paying for the exam entry Under teacher you should put either: Paul Cook FRSA BA(Hons) LLCM LTCL LMusLCM LMusTCL DipABRSM CT ABRSM or Jill Padfield BA (Jt) Hons LRAM Centre select Ebbw Vale Session is Spring 2019 (Practical) Subject : Music Theatre Level is the grade you will be sitting.
How do I prepare for the exam? You will receive at least one rehearsal with (PAC) during my free periods/lunchtimes (in addition to your singing lessons with Miss Padfield). You will be responsible for the necessary research (see below) and practising in your own time. What else do I need? You should perform your exam in a basic black outfit. You can then add a suitable item of clothing for each song which would give an impression of your chosen character; for example, a shawl for Eliza Doolittle. You should also use simple props such as a chair, book, bottle etc. You also need to produce a programme note which tells the examiner a little about yourself and your programme of songs. I will help you with this. Grade 1 (Components 1 and 2 should not exceed 10 minutes.) 1. Perform from memory a song of the candidate s choice. 45 marks 2. Perform from memory a song of contrasting mood or style. 45 marks why the songs were chosen; what the songs are about; the characters who sing the songs; the mood of the songs (including the element of contrast between the songs). 10 marks Grade 2 (Components 1 and 2 should not exceed 10 minutes.) 1. Perform from memory a song written before 1950. 45 marks 2. Perform from memory a song written in or after 1950. 45 marks why the songs were chosen; the characters who sing the songs; the styles and moods of the songs. 10 marks Grade 3 (Components 1 and 2 should not exceed 10 minutes.) 1. Perform from memory: (2 x 25 marks) a song written before 1950; a song written in or after 1950. 2. Perform from memory a third song of any style and period. 30 marks 20 marks how the programme was chosen; the characters who sing the songs and the styles and moods of the songs.
Grade 4 (Components 1 and 2 should not exceed 15 minutes.) 1. Perform from memory two songs written before 1950. 50 marks (2 x 25 marks) 2. Perform from memory a song written in or after 1950. 30 marks the characters who sing the songs; the styles and moods of the songs; the narrative context of the songs. 20 marks Grade 5 (Components 1 and 2 should not exceed 15 minutes.) 1. Introduce and perform from memory: a song written before 1920; a song written between 1920 and 1970. 50 marks 2. Introduce and perform from memory a song written in or after 1970. 30 marks how the programme was put together; the subject matter of the songs; the characterisation of the songs; the contrasting styles and moods of the songs; the narrative and dramatic context of the songs; the genre to which each song belongs; the composer and librettist of the songs (no extensive background knowledge is required). 20 marks Grade 6 Components 1 and 2 should not exceed 18 minutes.) 1. Introduce and perform from memory: a song written before 1920; a song written between 1920 and 1970. 40 marks 2. Introduce and perform from memory: a song written in or after 1970; a song from any period. 40 marks the characterisation of the songs; the contrasting styles and moods of the songs; the narrative and dramatic context of the songs; the genre to which each song belongs; the composer and librettist of the songs (no extensive background knowledge is required);
the vocal and dramatic skills and techniques employed in order to perform the songs. 20 marks Grade 7 Components 1 and 2 should not exceed 18 minutes.) 1. Introduce and perform from memory: a song written before 1900; a song written between 1900 and 1940. 40 marks 2. Introduce and perform from memory: a song written between 1940 and 1970; a song written in or after 1970. 40 marks NB. ONE of the songs in Components 1 or 2 above should be preceded or followed by a section of spoken libretto, in character (the same character as the song), of approx. ½ -1 minute s duration. the characterisation of the songs; the contrasting styles and moods of the songs; the narrative and dramatic context of the songs; the genre to which each song belongs; the composer and librettist of the songs (some basic biographical knowledge is required); the vocal and dramatic skills and techniques employed in order to perform the songs; how the songs and spoken libretto were learnt and prepared for performance, including any problems and how these were overcome; a critical evaluation of the candidate s performance, including aspects of the performance which went well, and aspects which could have been improved. 20 marks Grade 8 Component 1 should not exceed 20 minutes.) 1. Present a programme of FOUR contrasted songs. These should be drawn from a variety of periods and genres, and should enable the candidate to exhibit a wide range of performance styles and characterisations, to a high standard. Each song should be preceded by a spoken introduction, and at least ONE song must be linked to a section of spoken libretto, in character, of approx. ½ - 1 minute s duration, either immediately before and/or following the song. 60 marks 2. Candidates will be asked to read aloud at sight a piece of libretto. The libretto will contain two speaking parts, of which one will be taken by the examiner, the other by the candidate. The examiner will instruct the candidate which rôle to read. Candidates are not expected to perform from memory, and may read from the text while they perform. Preparation time of approximately 1 minute will be given, during which time the candidate may try out short sections of the text if they wish. Specimen tests are available; see Section 7.1. 20 marks 3. Discuss with the examiner any or all (at the examiner s discretion) of the following: the characterisation of the songs; the contrasting styles and moods of the songs; the narrative and dramatic context of the songs; the genre to which each song belongs; the composer and librettist of the songs (some basic biographical knowledge is required); the vocal and dramatic skills and techniques employed in order to perform the songs;
how the songs and spoken libretto were learnt and prepared for performance, including any problems and how these were overcome; a critical evaluation of the candidate s performance, including aspects of the performance which went well, and aspects which could have been improved; the candidate s response to the passage in Component 2 above; wider background knowledge of music theatre, particularly in relation to the programme performed; a thorough understanding of relevant vocal and dramatic techniques, stagecraft, and performance skills. 20 marks Diploma please ask me for separate sheet When will the exam be? I won t know the exact dates for a few weeks after submitting your exam entry. However, it will most likely be in March but could be slightly before or after then. Make sure you arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of your exam so that we can have a short warm up/discuss cue lines and so on. Where is the exam held? Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Chapel, Mount Pleasant Road, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6JJ I don t know the exact postcode but this will get you to within a few houses of the venue. What else do I need to bring to the exam? Two forms of ID. Photocopies of the music in a folder for the examiner (I play from the original copies). A printed programme (two copies) of the titles of your songs, the names of composers and lyricists, date of composition, date and venue of first performance. The examiners also appreciate a little programme as you would expect to find at a concert. The programme should also include a short biog about you. Introductions You are required to introduce all of your songs and are graded on how well you speak. Your introduction should follow this format: For my first song, I will sing...title...from...show... This was written by...composer...in...year...and first performed at...theatre...in...city... At this point in the show (character) who is (describe character) is (explain what the character is doing and what the song is about). Further point Because the regime has changed at school, I cannot predict if I will be allowed off from work to play for exams. However, I have always been allowed to play for exams in the past. If I am not allowed to play I will be able to recommend a pianist to accompany you although you will have to pay them for their services. for further info please visit http://lcme.uwl.ac.uk/ or ask me. Good luck, PAC