Comhaltas Music Exams - Entries accepted this Sat 1st December
- This Saturday, we will be accepting entries for those wishing to participate in the SCT music exams in the Spring. Any & all queries can be answered on Saturday in the registration room (10:30 to 12:30). Exam details attached for those wishing to enter the exams for the first time. It's highly recommended for children of all ages to enter the SCT exams as it helps to set targets and measure yearly progress. Any child who can play 6 or 7 tunes competently is well able to enter an exam if they wish. Guidance can be provided this Sat on the level your child should enter at.
- Cheque payment for exams should be made payable to Fred Finn CCE. All entries & fees go directly to Comhaltas Head office in Dublin. Head office organises and administers the exams.
- Please print out the attached form and bring to the class this Sat 1st Dec with full payment for your child's exam.
- Please see attached PDF for entry form & full details of the exams.
- Grupa Cheoil Auditions :Grupa Cheoil auditions for all age groups will be held in late Jan/Early Feb. We would encourage all interested children playing music for 2 years or more to consider auditioning for the grupa cheoils. It is a wonderful way to play music in a group, learn tunes, make friends and progress in music. Children are welcome to audition from around the county & from the Fred Finn Branch.
What are the Comhaltas Music Exams?-Comhaltas exams for traditional Irish musicians are run on an annual basis in the springtime.The system is similar to the classical music and drama exams you may already be familiar with. Many children find these annual exams very beneficial to mark and examine their progress in music. The Fred Finn Branch encourages children to participate in these exams on an annual basis. Children should be playing music for at least one full year before participating in these exams and would be expected to have a number of tunes off by heart for their exam.Exams are held in April/May and will be held in a venue in Sligo town this year for those attending Saturday morning classes. Date is assigned by Comhaltas head office.Full details on the exams can be found online at https://comhaltas.ie/ images/press_room/sct_ syllabus_2016_english.pdfMore information -If you are unsure which grade you should be entered at or need to check what grade you participated in last year, June McCormack can answer your questions next Saturday downstairs in the Gaelscoil. What’s involved in the Exams:-Those wishing to participate in CCE exams need to be aware that there are 4 aspects to the exam. It is not just about playing tunes. Those wishing to take part in the exams need to be fully prepared in all these 4 areas. Each of the 4 areas are graded equally. The 4 aspects for exams are:
- Performance of a number of tunes
- Reading of music from staff notation
- Informal musical discussion on the Irish music your child listens to, famous players on their instrument, the musical tradition of County Sligo, information on famous recordings of musicians from the early 1900s. (Children need to listen to recordings of Irish musicians regularly to be able to answer this part of exam competently)
- Aural questions- clapping a rhythm from the examiner, recognising notes as played by the examiner, recognising low and high pitches & other listening tests.
In the Fred Finn classes, music teachers can help assist your child in preparing for the exam and in appropriate tune selection. During February/March the branch will hold an information session or two for parents along with their children. This will be held from 9:45 to 10:30 just before Saturday morning classes. Parents also have to take responsibility to ensure their children are fully prepared and practiced for their exams, with the assistance of their teachers.Children should not be registered for the exams if they are not fully prepared in all areas above, as the exam experience could be a negative one without full preparation.