Piano exam entries.

If your child is taking a prep test or grade exam this term you will have had a letter, form, email or notification in their practice diary. These need to be returned next week with the fee( details n a previous blog post) and details including your child's full name and date of birth. I then send off one application for all my pupils.

Practical ABRSM prep test and grade exams will be at Christchurch, New London Road, Chelmsford, and will be held between Nov 9th and Dec 12th. We can't request a particular date, we are at the mercy of the exam board! You will need to take your child to and from the exam. ABRSM usually give us plenty of notice so arrangements can be made and thorough exam preparation made.

Further exam support ( advice, videos publications etc) can be found here: http://gb.abrsm.org/en/exam-support/

ABRSM theory exams will be held on Tuesday 3rd Nov at 5.30pm. Previously the venue has been Moulsham High School but again, we will be notified nearer the time.

Diploma exams are an entirely different kettle of fish and feature a choice of venues. Results take approximately 5 weeks. Good advice on diplomas can be found here: http://gb.abrsm.org/en/exam-support/preparation-for-diplomas/ and from my colleague David Barton here: 

http://www.davidbartonmusic.co.uk/top-tips-for-teaching-diplomas

Prep Test entrants receive their report and certificate on the day, grade exams are usually within 2 weeks, and theory exam results take 5-6 weeks to come through.

I hope all this info helps. I love helping pupils prepare for grade exams; they improve so much and transform into confident performers before my eyes. 

Fiona Lau

Chelmsford Competitive Festival update.

You need to send in your own entry forms and then the correspondence re time and date etc will come back to you.

The closing date for entries is Sat 24th September. And entries need to go to Jill Parkin 42 Blacksmith Close Springfield Chelmsford CM1 6SY.

Once entries are all in you will be notified the day and time of your child's class.

If you need a full syllabus they are available from James Dace. Programmes will also be available from them nearer the time.

Piano classes are usually held at Trinty Methodist church and the Quaker Meeeting House.

Every one in each class will get a round of applause and a certificate after adjudication and the winner will be notified.

Competitions are a great chance to practise performing, enjoy playing one piece, hear expert opinion from the adjudicator, hear other pianists, and get a certificate. They are friendly, supportive occasions and my pupils have had great fun and success in them over the years.

Fiona Lau.

ABRSM exam fees for 2015

Welcome to piano lessons 2015-16.

Dear Parents and Pupils,

Welcome to piano lessons!

This is what you need to know for effective piano lessons with me:

·        Please email me at fionavalerielau@hotmail.com with your email address so that you can be kept up to date with dates,progress, requirements, news etc.

·        I communicate many things for parents and pupils via this blog so please bookmark or favourite it and check it regularly: www.mrslaupiano.blogspot.com

·        Have a piano to practice on- digital or acoustic. A keyboard is not the same and will hamper progress.

·        Bring all your music etc to every lesson. Each pupil will need their own piano bag - available from Daces and Allegro or online from Amazon, Musicroom or Beaumont Music.

·        Regular practice is vital: Beginners need to do 10-15 mins a day but if you are preparing for an exam a minimum of 30 mins a day, rising to 1-3 hours for higher grade exams, recitals, competitions and diplomas. Parents, you will need to remind and encourage your children to practice- a practice chart with stickers really helps.

·        All music can be bought or ordered from Daces, Broomfield Rd, Allegro, High St, or online from www.musicroom.com

·        Please please please read the Practice Diary and use it to communicate with me especially if your child has lessons at school and we rarely meet.

·        Take every opportunity to play and perform (at school, at home, at church, or to friends) and to listen to music (live or recorded).

I look forward to the new year and hearing everyone play and develop,

Fiona Lau MA, PGCE, LTCL, Dip ABRSM (performing), CTABRSM, Grad Dip Mus.

www.fionalau.com

New term timetable coming soon.

Hi everyone,

I hope that you have had a good summer break despite the very dismal weather. Private pupils' lessons and lessons at Moulsham High School will begin on Tues 15th September and at The Cathedral School on Wed 16th Sept.

Meanwhile you could make sure that you have everything you need for piano lessons:

A piano. A digital or acoustic piano is vital, a keyboard just will not do.

A bag of your own for your piano music. Not one you share with a sibling but one of your own. Amazon have them and so do Allegro and Daces in Chelmsford.

The music you have been playing recently.

The activities you have completed from the Yellow Sheet.

A Wish List of pieces that you would like the learn. It's good you to choose some of your music rather than me always making the decisions.

See you soon,

Fiona.