Learning and Developing Skills:
New - Music Assessment Scheme

Qualifications from Three Counties School of Music assessments scheme

In association with the
University of Gloucestershire

Patrons to the Assessment Scheme:

Professor Ian Tracey - Sir Phillip Ledger - Dame Emma Kirkby  
Jamie Owen - David Kirby-Ashmore - John Lenehan - Jane Parker-Smith
  Dr Andrew Padmore  - Christopher Barton - Professor David Hoult

Principal:
Dr. Ian Higginson

Quote
" Working for the diploma was an excellent opportunity to work towards a rewarding goal.
The feedback I received was very helpful and useful for later application to future performances"
international student

________________________________________________________________________

  Ever wanted to take a music exam?

Three Counties School of Music  is a new exam board working with the University of Gloucestershire
which was developed in 2010 for musicians by musicians, in order to provide stimulating, accessible, fun & affordable music assessments for everyone including students, staff and members of the community.

We believe our assessments are:

§  Affordable

§  Accessible

§  Great fun

§  Great for the CV

§  Great for self-discipline

§  Stimulating, satisfying and a real sense of achievement

§  No pre-requisites for Grades, Performance Certificates or DipTCSM level one Diploma

§  Grades, Performance Certificates & Diploma assessments focus on either performance or compositional skills, so there are no scales or aural questions to worry about. You can even play pieces you already know and get marked on your choice of programme.

Our assessments are intended to be an enjoyable way of measuring a candidates’ level of progress and musical ability, providing encouragement in their studies and a real sense of achievement.

We offer assessments in a variety of disciplines and at different levels and they are largely focused on performance or composition. They are an excellent way of realising your level of ability in a relaxed atmosphere, without the formality of performing under formal examination conditions.

 

·         If you wish you can study towards a musical qualification such as a grade assessment (from grades 1 - 8)

·         Instead you could work towards a performance certificate, or if you are above Grade eight standard you could opt to do a diploma

·         The assessments are intended to give you self-satisfaction and confidence and are often seen as character building and will improve performance skills and tell the world what level your talent is and give you a great sense of achievement

·         If you are training to be a teacher, this is an ideal opportunity to obtain an additional qualification which may be a very useful addition to your CV and an ideal talking point for an interview

The TCSM assessments are assessed by Ian Higginson, they can be taken at  Francis Close Hall Campus, University of Gloucestershire and are available in the disciplines below

________________________________________________________________

For further information or to request a syllabus, please visit the Three Counties School of Music website
www.threecountiesmusic.co.uk  or contact:

Dr. Ian Higginson
Principal - Three Counties School of Music
c/o Student Services, Bodley Building, Francis Close Hall Campus,
University of Gloucestershire, Swindon Road, Cheltenham, GL50 4AZ
Tel: 01242 230455  Mob: 07788153776
E-mail: ihigginson@glos.ac.uk  or  learning@threecountiesmusic.co.uk

_________________________________________________________________

Grade Assessments

Available at various grades in the following disciplines:
Voice (Classical, Musical Theatre, Popular Vocals, Chorister, or a combination)
Piano
Organ Performance
Strings
Woodwind
Brass grades
Guitar – grades
Sacred Music section – (Chorister)
_______________________________________________________________

Performance Certificates
Available in most disciplines including ensembles & Chorister.
_______________________________________________________________

TCSM Performance Diplomas
If you have already taken some music grades / Performance Certificates, you may wish to work towards a TCSM performance diploma. These also focus on performance or composition and on successful completion you will receive a feedback sheet and certificate.

TCSM diplomas start with a DipTCSM, which is a step beyond grade eight. The Associate (ATCSM) and Fellowship (FTCSM) diplomas are more advanced and these are an excellent way of confidence building and gaining a tremendous sense of achievement.

Diploma Assessments
Available in most disciplines including:
Voice (Classical, Musical Theatre, Chorister, Popular vocals)
Piano
Organ Performance
Strings
Woodwind
Brass
Guitar
Sacred Music option - Chorister & Church Organist
Composition/Singer-Songwriter

Tailor-made Assessments
A Candidate who wishes to include more than one discipline can also tailor-make a diploma assessment to suit themselves in the form of a combined performance or composition / singer-songwriter diploma.

______________________________________________________________________________

Diploma in Composition / Singer-songwriter

TCSM diplomas in Composition/Singer-songwriter are by Portfolio submission only, so you don’t attend an assessment for these.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Quote

"The TCSM diploma didn't have any of the stress of formal exams, I never wanted to take exams at all before, but it was fun and exciting to be working on such a high level without worries about theory papers and high costs."
Student and successful Diploma candidate