[Menvi-discuss] ABRSM Braille exam music

[Sandra Gayer]

Hello,This takes me back. When I studied music grades, I based my exam
piece choices on whether something was in Braille or not, rather than
what would be most suitable for me to play as an instrumentalist.

Very best wishes,
Sandra.

On 11/24/23, Stephanie Pieck via Menvi-discuss <menvi-discuss at menvi.org> wrote:
> 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
>
>


-- 
Sandra Gayer DipABRSM, LRSM.

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