Three Counties School of Music

HOW THEY WORK

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                                                                                                                                            Performance Diplomas

An outline of how the assessments work is given on this page. 


REQUIRMENTS FOR MOST ASSESSMENTS

  • All the assessments are now taken remotely including: Grades, Performance Certificates and Diplomas,
    Candidates' must now submit the following to the school via e-mail. 

  • An unedited YouTube link/ links of your performance to the school rather than attending an assessment in person. 
 
  • A signed /dated statement declaring that it is the named candidate performing on the video that has been submitted.
 
  • A portfolio in 'PDF format e-mailed to the school
 
  • Written programme notes (applicable to performance diploma level assessments only)
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Please contact the school in order to discuss options, or for further information. 
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Email: THREE COUNTIES SCHOOL OF MUSIC 


THE ASSESSOR LOOKS FOR:

  • Musicianship
 
  • Technique
 
  • Style
 
  • Musicianship
 
  • Phrasing
 
  • Communication
 
  • Enthusiasm
 
  • Memory (applicable for appropriate singing candidates)
 
  • Choice of programme
 
  • Understanding of dynamics, interpretation, tone, phrasing, intonation, breath control, vowel sounds
 
  • Technical skills (as applicable to the chosen instrument)
 
  • Basic musical knowledge
 
  • Evidence of the candidate’s musical interests / achievements and experiences as documented in the portfolio



REPETOIRE CHOICE
Most of our performance assessments allow candidates to choose their own repertoire. Therefore, candidates' MUST e-mail the planned programme into the school in order to check it is of the correct standard for the chosen assessment.
Email: THREE COUNTIES SCHOOL OF MUSIC 
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The school will then confirm if the planned repertoire is suitable for the chosen level of assessment. 

The School feels this is perhaps offering a candidate greater flexibility and programme planning experience. 

Marks are allocated for the choice of repertoire in most assessments, unless it is an assessment where repertoire lists are supplied.



GRADE ASSESSMENTS 

Marks are allocated for: 

  • ​Choice of Programme
 
  • Presentation of recital (including the introductions if applicable) & Performance
 
  • Mixed media Portfolio​


DIPLOMAS
The diplomas are available at three different levels:  
DipTCSM, ATCSM & FTCSM in most disciplines.

A high standard of performance is required for all the performance based diplomas.

​Marks are allocated for: 
  • ​Choice of Programme
 
  • Presentation of recital (including the introductions if applicable) & Performance
 
  • Mixed media Portfolio​


WRITTEN PROGRAMME NOTES
(Only applicable to performance diplomas)

Candidates taking performance based diploma assessments are also required to research and write brief & informative programme notes in performance order.
These should be submitted in PDF format. 
​
Marks are allocated for this section of the assessment.

Please contact the school for further information regarding the specific programme notes criteria. 

Email: THREE COUNTIES SCHOOL OF MUSIC   
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CHURCH ORGANIST DIPLOMAS
In addition to the organ performance diplomas, we also offer a Church Organist diploma, at three different levels. These are designed for church organists who play the 
organ regularly for church services, rather than performing recitals etc. 
This assessment includes, specified organ voluntaries, accompaniment, appropriate organ tests and a portfolio. 
Please contact the school for further information regarding the specific assessment criteria. 

Email: THREE COUNTIES SCHOOL OF MUSIC ​


MUSICAL DIRECTION DIPLOMAS
We also offer a diploma at three different levels which is aimed at directors of a musical group (either sacred, or secular).
This assessment includes, directing a choir/ instrumental group/ Orchestra etc in an agreed and varied programme.

Candidates must display the following:
  • Clear and differing conducting techniques
  • Dynamic and tonal contrast
  • Leadership skills
  • Musical ideas for interpretation
  • Use of effective phrasing /dynamics
  • Plus a portfolio. 

Please contact the school for further information regarding the specific assessment criteria. 

Email: THREE COUNTIES SCHOOL OF MUSIC 


COMPOSITION/SINGER SONG-WRITER DIPLOMAS
**Candidates wishing to take diploma assessments in composition or Singer-song-writer are required to submit the following:

Candidates' must now submit the following to the school
via e-mail. 

  • Short descriptive programme notes based on their compositions.
 
  • Portfolio of compositions - The number of compositions/ scoring etc needs to be correct for the level of chosen diploma. Please contact the school for details and further information. 
 
  • Submit to the school recordings in MP3 format via an email containing links to each piece/work. The pieces can either be performances of the work/works, or they can be electronically generated. 
 
  • Mixed media Portfolio (Emailed into the School in PDF format
 
  • Signed & dated declaration stating that the music is composed by the candidate in PDF format. 
 
  • Please e-mail the school for specific requirements for this diploma. 

 ​Email: THREE COUNTIES SCHOOL OF MUSIC 


Marks for most diplomas are allocated for:

  • Choice of Programme
 
  • Presentation of recital (including the introductions if applicable. (Church Organist assessments do not require introductions as they have different requirements). 
 
  • Written programme notes (not applicable to Church Organist diplomas)
 
  • Recital
 
  • Mixed media Portfolio



PORTFOLIO
(Required for most assessments)

The candidate is required to submit a portfolio containing clear evidence of the following:
  • The  candidate’s musical interests, activities, achievements etc. 
 
  • Music lessons and successful examinations
 
  • Music groups attended
 
  • Concert performances in which they they have taken part etc

This can be a mixed media portfolio.

There are marks allocated for this section. of the assessment.

PLEASE NOTE -  there are no portfolio requirements for the Performance Certificates.

Please contact the school for further information regarding the specific portfolio criteria. 

Email: THREE COUNTIES SCHOOL OF MUSIC 


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INTRODUCING THE RECITAL PROGRAMME 
(Only applicable to  to the higher grades and diplomas)

Introductions should be brief & informative. Candidates can just include the title of work, composer / arranger, or they can give slightly more detail.

Some assessments are exempt from introducing the pieces.

There are marks allocated for this section. of the performance assessments.

Please contact the school for more information. 
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Email: THREE COUNTIES SCHOOL OF MUSIC 
Three Counties School of Music