Thoughts of an Adjudicator 

 

Preface

Is this YOUR experience of examinations?...

You’ve worked hard on your pieces and feel you are ready to take your examination. The day has arrived. Of course, you are nervous. No matter how well prepared you are, there will nearly always be some doubt, but you ARE ready.

You’re waiting for your turn to go into the examination room. You listen to the candidate that has gone in before you, perhaps your thoughts on their playing, alleviating thoughts of your own nerves.

The time has come. It is your turn now. Months, maybe years of hard work will now depend on the next 30 minutes to an hour. You have done all you can. Success or failure is in your hands, and don’t you just know it! There will however, be another thought on your mind... ‘I hope I have a nice examiner.'

You enter the examination room to a deathly silence. There is the piano and to one side, the adjudicator (possibly two). 

‘Morning, please be seated at the piano’ says the adjudicator. 

He gives a slight glance up from his paperwork. Did you see a smile, or was it a trick of the light? Your already fragile nerves are twisted that bit more, your stomach tightens further. Seated at the piano, you dry your hands from the sweat during that seemingly eternal, deafening silence as you wait to play.

This particular adjudicator has not attempted to break through that wall of nerves building inside you...

The result....Your examination has become that bit more difficult.

I certainly hope this has not happened to you, and I must tell you that this occurrence of an ‘inhumane’ adjudicator is now, almost without question, a thing of the past...but it is a past I myself can remember clearly.

 

 

Study and beyond

After years of hard study and commitment to my music (to this day, I am still studying. Please remember that the obtaining of Qualifications is only a start to the knowledge of a subject, not an end to it) 

I was given the opportunity to adjudicate for the Victoria College of Music. The chance to give to you, the candidate, what was not given to me: a friendly, welcoming smile, and warm words combined with a wish to make the examination experience as stress-free as possible. I know I am also speaking for my other colleagues in the Victoria College, and all the other Examination Boards here in England and throughout the World.

The Victoria College of Music prides itself on the way in which its adjudicators strive to maintain a relaxed atmosphere in the examination room and yet at the same time, giving the highest level of professionalism to each candidate.

 

I am proud to have received the following comments which were sent to the College:

'I was pleased and delighted to receive my Fellowship Diploma. Would you please convey my sincere thanks to Mr Alex Smith for his pleasant and professional manner on conducting the exam which put me at ease and took a lot of the tension away.'

                                                                                                                                   Stephen Henshaw FVCM

                                                                                                                                      Leyland Centre

 

'I have just presented three of my pupils for VCM examinations for the first time. The organization and procedure of the exams, the supportive and positive comments by the examiner, Mr Alex Smith, and not least, the friendly support of Mrs MacGregor the Glasgow Local Secretary, have to be complimented.'

 

                                                                                                                 Margaret Mack

 

                                                                                                                Glasgow Centre

 

'I did an examination in July in Manchester. The examiner was Mr Alex Smith. I was absolutely delighted with the way in which Mr Smith immediately put me at ease. Instead of the dreaded chore, my examination actually turned into a pleasure. I had a lovely time!

 

I am so glad that his attitude has also been favourably commented upon by other students. What a breath of fresh air!'

 

Jane Jerrard

 

Manchester Centre

 

Click here to view some pictures of me adjudicating and some pictures of the centres which I work at.

List of centres attended in the UK.

 

My satisfaction    

'I think as one can see, I find happiness and personal satisfaction in my work as an adjudicator for this College, and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to give praise where due and comment where necessary, to enrich and improve the musical life of all whom I meet. Finally I can tell you that we very much enjoy what you, the candidates play for us, the adjudicators...yes we do that too! We enjoy your music, and it is that enjoyment which makes equals.

We are in this together...for the love of music. I wish you all great success for the future'.

All the best,

Alex.