[Menvi-discuss] ABRSM Braille exam music

[Stephanie Pieck]

Thank you for this update Jeanie. It's disappointing to see the decline in
braille music support from ABRSM. You are also correct in noting that many
blind teachers rely on the board's braille output to build up their teaching
library. As far as I can tell, there is no other examining board that offers
similar support for braille readers, and I have found it difficult to use
the digital audio support materials for Canada's Royal Conservatory of
Music.

 

Steph

 

From: Menvi-discuss [mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of
Jeanie Willis via Menvi-discuss
Sent: Friday, November 24, 2023 12:47 PM
To: 'This is for discussing music and braille literacy'
Cc: Jeanie Willis
Subject: [Menvi-discuss] ABRSM Braille exam music

 

Hi All,

 

After making quite a few inquiries I have a bit of an update on availability
of ABRSM exam music in Braille.  It isn't good news currently:

 

Unfortunately they have not had the 2023/24 syllabus transcribed.  However
blind students can apply for an extension to use the 2021/22 syllabus in
2024.  They hope to have something in place again for 2025 either as a
download from their website as in previous years or ordering of specific
pieces for any instrument to be produced, however whether this will apply to
teachers or only students, and whether there will be a cost is yet to be
seen.  There thinking is that this will assist all instruments not just
piano and flute and were concerned that they were spending a lot on
resources previously that may not have been being used, only a few pieces
here or there as they didn't see many blind candidates coming through using
those pieces.

 

So, it sounds like they have completely missed the fact that blind teachers
rely on these and in many cases have chosen ABRSM over other exams because
of this availability.  They also don't seem to understand how little Braille
music is out there generally as they have said that they are fine with
candidates using any edition.  But as many will have experienced this can
leave a teacher and student working from two different editions that don't
match on crucial things like bar numbering and repeats as well as many other
little details of ornamentation, articulation, etc.

 

 

So if this is affecting you currently or you can see issues with the
proposed plan it would be worth writing to the access coordinator now.  The
more feedback they get the more they will understand the needs of both blind
teachers and candidates and hopefully put something back in place that suits
both.

 

For specific accommodations for an exam candidate you can e-mail:
specificneeds at abrsm.ac.uk

For more general feedback, requests and discussion of related topics you can
e-mail: accesscoordinator at abrsm.ac.uk

 

Jeanie

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