Snape

Also forgot to ask… How were your pianists? Are they struggling with the music? We used the same one as usual and had rehearsals but he really struggled with the new music for all new grades 1-3. ( we don’t have a pianist usually, just a few rehearsals before exam) The practice was scary! DD’s teacher was changing lots of things, pianist was complaining it had all been written wrong! Nightmare, it took ages. So it must have been new to him. He is great with all the old syllabus music. Anyway when it came to the exam he played the classical dance piece at about twice the speed it should have been at and he played it fine in practice. She was number 1 as well, so really not expecting that!!! It was lucky really she was number 1 because I think the others would have been a bit taken back if they hadn’t heard the speed first. Not sure what they would have done. It was the first exam DD was upset about because she said she could not do it justice at that speed. Anyway her mark was good thankfully, but… her lowest score was the dance and she has never got less than 9 for it before, so it did make a difference if only by a mark or so. I thought the examiner would have stopped him. I don’t think they are supposed to really. DD’s teacher told pianist in break so at least all but the first 4 got nice slow music.

Hi there, My little 9 year old DD has just done the new RAD grade 3 and just had results back. She did well a good distinction but..... Not so everybody. All results but my little girls were down dramatically, some by 20 marks! most by at least 10. Teacher was a bit shocked to say the least! Lots of very disappointed children. Two students just scraped a pass who have always been mid merits and lots of children that normally get, or get near to a distinction got merits or low merits. The examiner was very harsh with all grades actually( hardest examiner yet apparently) but the grade 3's seem to get the brunt of it. The class started studying the old grade but then switched to the new grade when teacher had been on the course. Most of the girls in DD's class are 1,2,3 or more years older than her. They all work hard and have extra lessons and practice at home, most have had a few private lessons as well. I think if they have done all the old grades up to grade 3 and just then the new grade 3 it must be very difficult as it is so different. ( I do like the new grade 3 though) I have the video and it even seems a big jump from new grade 1/2 to 3, let alone the old one. Lot's of the moves seem to be joined up and it seems to my untrained eye they really do need a lot of core strength which they have been able to get away with out having so far and concentration. They also do not have the character exercises or the freemovement which a lot of children could claw back marks on. DD's class all really enjoyed the new work and music ( they felt like real ballerinas) ;-) It seems in DD's class the strong ones with good technique & turnout did well and the normal gaps in the marks grew a lot wider. I think the marking system has also changed so that probably played a part. I do think they must be marking a lot stricter, but this may not be a bad thing. Anyway they are all finding grade 4 quite easy!... The only problem is that with the new grade 4-5 coming this Jan I think, they will have done old grades up to 2, new grade 3, old grade 4, then New grade 5 ( It must be a nightmare for the children getting used to one thing and changing back and forth!) They will probably struggle again with new grade 5. It gives me a head ache! I wish they could have introduced them this January and gone for some continuity. Hey ho.

Hello, Does anyone know of a good Summer school (ballet based) for 9 year old's. ( They are not 10 until November) So I think too young for both of the York Summer schools and they are too young for RBS and Elmhust. ( and I know too late even if they were old enough) next year will be lot's of options! We are in Cumbria but children happy to travel and do a residential. They are grade 4 RAD, Distinctions all grades, so are OK. I know there is a RAD summer school. DD has done RAD things and enjoyed them and had a lot of fun but she would like to do a more serious one with other serious children. I have scanned old threads, can not seem to find anything for 9 year old's, they seem to need to be 10. Any ideas? Thank you

Hello eveyone, Thanks, it is good to know there is hope (did not know if they gave out a lot a swl places) eveything crossed, probably for a few years! ;-)

Hi, My daughter auditioned last year on a whim (first year your allowed to) She was 8. She got on the SWL RBS but no place came up. Has anyones child got in, in successive years after a swl? She is desperate to get in. Might also try Elmhurst this year. Do they look for similar things?