A survey of music syllabuses including alternatives which may be suitable for students who are dyslexic or neuro-diverse in other ways

Only the four music examination boards which are recognised by Ofqual are included in this survey:

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music; Rockschool; London College of Music; Trinity College of Music

Autumn 2017

Aspect of music syllabus	ABRSM	Rockschool (RSL)	London College of Music	Trinity College of Music
Music theory exams Grades 1 - 4	·       No rhythm writing or melody writing	·       All grades require reading and writing (words and music)	·       ‘Stave Music’: multisensory approach
Music theory requirement Grade 5 or above	·       Can do Grade 5 Musicianship instead ·       Can do jazz solo performance instead ·       Theory includes rhythm writing and melody writing	·       All grades require reading and writing (words and music)
Options other than single instrument/voice exam		·       Musical Theatre	·       Music theatre ·       Irish and Scottish traditional music ·       Chinese ·       Ensemble ·       Composition ·       School music performance ·       ALCM Piano duet and Piano Accompaniment ·       LLCM Piano Duet and Piano Accompaniment	·       Piano accompanying ATCL Pro-Music Diplomas. [These are being withdrawn and will no longer be available after 31 December 2017.]
No scales/technical exercises	·       ARSM	·       Performance Certificate	·       Leisure play exams ·       Recital exams ·       Performance awards ·       DipLCM Concert ·       ALCM Recital ·       FLCM ·       Rock Guitar grades
No sight reading	·       Prep Test ·       Performance Assessment ·       ARSM	·       Performance Certificate ·       Grade exams: grades 1-5 improvisation and interpretation instead ·       Grade exams: grades 6-8 quick study instead	·       Pre-grade 1 exams ·       Leisure play exams ·       Recital exams: either viva voce or extra performance piece instead ·       Piano Duet ·       Bass Guitar ·       Electric Guitar ·       Ukulele ·       Irish Traditional Music ·       Scottish Traditional Music ·       Rock guitar: improvisation instead ·       DipLCM Concert ·       ALCM Recital option 1: written essay required ·       ALCM Recital option 2 ·       ALCM Standard option 2: either viva voce or aural instead ·       LLCM Recital: programme notes required ·       LLCM Standard: provide programme notes and viva voce instead ·       FLCM ·       Acoustic Guitar - all diplomas: programme notes required	·       Grade exams (initial to Grade 5 only): aural, improvisation or musical knowledge instead. (NB aural includes having to look at a score) ·       Rock and pop exams all grades: improvising instead.
No aural	·       Prep Test ·       Performance Assessment ·       ARSM	·       Performance Certificate	·       Leisure play exams ·       Recital exams ·       Piano Duet grades 1 -5   ·       DipLCM Concert ·       ALCM Recital options ·       ALCM Standard option 2: either sight reading or viva voce instead ·       LLCM ·       FLCM ·       Acoustic Guitar: all diplomas: programme notes required	·       Grades 6 – 8: improvisation instead
No viva voce/discussion	·       ARSM	·       Performance Certificate	·       Recital exams: either sight-reading or extra performance piece required ·       Piano Duet grades 1 -5  ·       ALCM Standard option 2: either sight reading or aural instead ·       LLCM Recital ·       LLCM Standard: sight reading and programme notes instead ·       FLCM: programme notes required ·       Acoustic Guitar: all diplomas: programme notes required
No formal mark scheme; no pass/fail (comments only)	·       Prep Test ·       Performance Assessment		·       Pre-Grade 1
Choice of own piece(s)	·       Performance Assessment ·       ARSM: up to a third of the programme.	·       All Grade exams: 2 out of 3 pieces may be own choice ·       Performance Certificate:3 of 5 pieces may be own choice	·       Leisure play exams: 1 of 4 pieces own choice ·       Piano Duet grades 1 – 5: 1 of 3 pieces may be own choice ·       Piano Duet grade 7: 1 of 3 pieces must be own choice	·       Recital Diploma (need to submit programme for approval in advance)
Choice of own composition for performance		·       All Grade exams: 2 out of 3 pieces may be own compositions ·       Performance Certificate:3 of 5 pieces may be own compositions		LTCL Pro-Music Diplomas. [These are being withdrawn and will no longer be available after 31 December 2017.]
No public performance			·       Performance awards: assessment by D.V.D. (not live)
Assessment by DVD/ video			·       Performance awards: assessment by D.V.D. (not live)	ATCL and LTCL Pro-Music Diplomas. [These are being withdrawn and will no longer be available after 31 December 2017.]

Making Music Accessible

Karen Marshall has done a guest post on the Pianodao site, called 'Making music accessible'

The link is https://pianodao.com/2017/10/11/making-music-accessible/

TES SEN exhibition

A very worthwhile couple of afternoons spreading awareness at the TES SEN exhibition! 

Musical Activities Programme -MAP in Action

MAP

Rosemary Hodi has provided these pictures from the MAP (musical activities programme) 

developed by Katie Overy.

The first is Pass the beater, the second is In a cottage, the third is High Fives and the fourth Music has a beat. The photos show the Teaching Assistant I have been training running the session.

I have been running the MAP in Buckingham, Primary School. The children are Year 1 and Year 2. One has ADHD and dyslexia, another has difficulty with speaking in front of a group. The others two have suspected dyslexia. 

All the children love the games; the ADHD child is beginning to cooperate better while the quiet one is now confident enough to play and sing solo in front of the group. We have yet to assess since the programme is still running.

All permissions granted from parents.

Oxford Film Festival

I am Dyslexic

The short animation “I am Dyslexic” observes the struggle of being dyslexic in our current educational system. The film uses strong metaphors to portray these emotions, as we follow a little boy in his journey to climb a mountain in a world made of books. The film takes a look not only at dyslexia itself, but also at the loneliness and disillusionment that can come along with it.

After showing at the recent Manchester International Film Festival in March 2017, the film was screened at the Oxford International Film Festival in May 2017. The festival celebrated both international and local filmmaking talent. Featuring stars like Timothy Spall and Stef Dawson, the festival certainly makes for an international film experience. For more information about the film or the festival : http://www.oxiff.com/