The composition project this term has a nautical theme. Students must compose a backing track to the associated video which is 1 minute and 21 seconds in length. A template score has been provided in Noteflight which already has the correct number of empty bars laid out for each section. Providing the tempo remains unchanged and the number and position of bars are left as they are then notes input onto this score should fit in with the video.

The piece must be in rondo form, taking as the three themes, the poetic ideas of “Waves”, “Pebbles & Shells” and “Lighhouses”. The closing date for completion of the project is 24th March, 2012 which is a week before the next concert.

(Please note that at this stage it is not possible to hear the notes composed AND playback the video within noteflight, it has to be one or the other. If you open the video in a seperate browser window to the one in which you are running noteflight then it is almost possible to synchronise the two!)

Students taking piano and keyboard lessons in school will have been organised into groups to work on this project in their own time with tutorial guidance during lessons.

More information about the project along with links to some more sample scores have been posted on my noteflight forum

The next in my vodcast series on piano exams. In this video, watch Amelia sit her Grade 1 piano exam. This time, not one of my videos,  ABRSM have staged an example of a Grade 1 piano exam which is a great way to give candidates an idea of what it is like to sit the exam. If only Stanley Palace, the venue used for the Chester exams was able to offer a wonderful grand piano as in this video! At least you can expect the same professional, supportive attitude from any of the ABRSM examiners, though the papers on their desk might not always be quite so beautifully aligned.

ABRSM: Grade 1 Piano Exam Video

Justus’ and Maya’s videos were played back at the recent “Playing Together” concert along with some great performances from my students. Certificates presented at the concert included a Distinction in Grade 1 Theory for Ruth along with a number of merits for piano exams. For quite a number of my students, it was the first time they had performed in a concert and one trio even played a piece they had put together themselves.

The concert raised another £130 towards the bursary fund which this year has already provided a Zoom Q3HD Handy Video/Audio Recorder for use at Kampala Music School. This fund will also continue to provide piano lessons for Justus at the school. I have put together a “Concert Moments” video below featuring a few of the performances. Credit must go to David Woods for the excellent still images used.

 AUTUMN LEAVES PLAYLIST

“CONCERT MOMENTS” VIDEO

He was born in Nairobi but came back to Uganda at the age of four and has done all his schooling in Uganda. He is studying piano and having taken exams with the ABRSM, is working towards Grade 8.

He also plays the violin and cello with the Kampala Symphony Orchestra and has taken part in concerts at Kampala Music School. He has played cello with one of the most well known artists in Uganda Maurice Kirya.

Outside the music school, he is studying for a diploma in Information Technology at Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology.

Shown below is his contribution to my 2011 Autumn Leaves Composition Project

My Grade 1 Piano Exam Pieces Youtube Playlist

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EXAMS IN TWO WEEKS TIME!