The most widespread music examinations board here in Singapore is the ABRSM and every so often the board would organise Professional Development Programmes (PDP) for music teachers in UK and around the world.
I went for the PDP 2008 today held at VCH and was quite an informative seminar on the 2009/2010 piano examinations syllabus.
The seminar was not FOC, participants have to pay S$100 to attend, but we do get a bunch of materials, handouts and advice on music pieces. As a colleague of mine told me, this was my first investment into the music teaching career and I really couldn't agree more.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
University of Melbourne Applications
My explorations of possibly studying music therapy came to a roadblock recently. By chance my colleague found a newspaper advert publicizing the auditions held by the Uni of Melbourne professor for music degree applicants, which led me to renew my explorations in embarking on this course of study/work.
I surfed online and realised that Melbourne offered a graduate diploma in music, and I thought to myself that perhaps I could do a grad-dip before applying to do a full Masters in music therapy. I emailed my idea to an Australian music therapist based in Singapore whom I had previously corresponded with, and she put me in touch with none other than a music therapist lecturer in Uni of Melbourne!
Through this lecturer I got to know that my current undergrad degree actually qualifies me to apply directly for the masters program. This cheered me on and knowing that I could apply with a fee waiver through OAL made me think even more seriously about actually doing it.
BUT, after corresponding with the lecturer some more to clarify some details, I came to a realisation that some of the application requirements for the course were quite daunting. Amongst these include:
1) Getting an academic reference AND one from a person who can attest to my musical ability. The latter I could get from my music teacher. But the former, I think my professors back in Cal would be hard pressed to even remember my name, nevermind write me a good recommendation.
2) The vocal part of the audition requires me to sing and play accompaniment on the guitar at the same time. Now sing and play the piano I can. The guitar, I don't know HOW to play one. And apparently it is an important part of the profession!
So, BIG roadblock. To do music therapy I have to learn the guitar. How easy is that??
I surfed online and realised that Melbourne offered a graduate diploma in music, and I thought to myself that perhaps I could do a grad-dip before applying to do a full Masters in music therapy. I emailed my idea to an Australian music therapist based in Singapore whom I had previously corresponded with, and she put me in touch with none other than a music therapist lecturer in Uni of Melbourne!
Through this lecturer I got to know that my current undergrad degree actually qualifies me to apply directly for the masters program. This cheered me on and knowing that I could apply with a fee waiver through OAL made me think even more seriously about actually doing it.
BUT, after corresponding with the lecturer some more to clarify some details, I came to a realisation that some of the application requirements for the course were quite daunting. Amongst these include:
1) Getting an academic reference AND one from a person who can attest to my musical ability. The latter I could get from my music teacher. But the former, I think my professors back in Cal would be hard pressed to even remember my name, nevermind write me a good recommendation.
2) The vocal part of the audition requires me to sing and play accompaniment on the guitar at the same time. Now sing and play the piano I can. The guitar, I don't know HOW to play one. And apparently it is an important part of the profession!
So, BIG roadblock. To do music therapy I have to learn the guitar. How easy is that??
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Music Teacher
So I followed up on the contact in my previous post. Turns out that music school principal has recently given birth! With the new life to care for she has handed over the running of her school to another partner while she more or less concentrates on only teaching a handful of students. So I guess the plan of opening another music school is more or less shelved for the moment. However, she did chat with me and promised to hook me up with her current school principal/partner, who can discuss with me terms and conditions of employment as a music teacher in the school. By the way, this is the said music school.
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