6 replies to this topic

[onemoretime]

Was just wondering if anyone had taught, or parent of someone aged 16/ 18 who took the Diploma?

 

And if so could recommend some music at the right level to look at over the holidays. It's for a Mezzo Soprano. 

 

Range low G to high A.

 

Student has a distinction at grade 8, and will be taking both GCSE and A level music prior to conservatoire audition for classical singing, not modern theatre or pop.  Currently tackling Mahler Symphony no 8, with no problems.

 

 

Thanks in advance. 

[Banjogirl]

What does her teacher suggest?

[tangerine]

So much depends on a young person's physical development when it comes to the voice.

 

As Banjogirl says, see what the teacher recommends. I personally would prefer my pupils to wait a little before they take a singing diploma, but every individual is different.

[fsharpminor]

Back in 1963 I had to wait until my 16th  birthday to take ALCM, as it was a minimum age in all boards  Its amazing so many  kids can get to A dip level much younger these days

[SingingPython]

As a parent of a similar aged soprano for whom diplomas are being considered for next year-ish, I'd guess that this is very individual.  My daughter's holiday singing will start with a choral course and end with a musical theatre group ...  Mind you, she's probably heading for humanities then possibly consider conservatoire training at postgrad level if it feels right then.  I will be interested to see what advice gets posted here.

[HelenVJ]

Impossible to advise without hearing and knowing the singer. Isn't the teacher recommending holiday repertoire? Ther's still a big gap between Grade 8 and diploma level  - which board were you thinking of? Trinity, LCM, ABRSM all have quite different requirements. Also the ARSM was introduced to bridge the gap between Grade 8 and first Diploma.

A holiday course might be useful, and she would get ideas about repertoire from the teachers there and from hearing other singers.

[violincjj]

DS did ARSM and researched repertoire for himself from the syllabi and following his own areas of personal interest, then discussed all the options and possible permutations with his teacher.