Music
The GUILD Music Practical Examinations Syllabus is unique in itself as students and teachers are given a flexible system to work with. They can choose to in both play Classical or Contemporary music and a wide repertoire of works are selected to give students a sound foundation in musicianship. It is purposely designed to meet the needs of Teachers, Professional Musicians and Educational Institutions.
Examiners will carefully consider poise, musical control & co-ordination, style, tone quality and interpretation of the piece. The ability of the student to use technical control of fingers, hands, wrists, arms and employ the concept of economy of movement will be a strong deciding factor in the students’ assessment.
Music Theory examinations cover both classical and modern aspects of music. Students learn the formation of modern chords and it gives them more avenue for composition as they have to write melodies from a given phrase, for given words and from chords.
PRACTICAL GRADED EXAMINATIONS
This exam has been specially designed with well balanced attributes. It covers all aspects in the enhancement of the musical skills of students whose aim is to be music educators.
Students, who choose to take Practical Graded Examinations, are required to prepare all technical studies such as scales, sight reading, ear tests and the pieces required for the particular grade. They can still choose to play either classical or contemporary pieces or a combination of both. The pieces chosen must be of contrasting styles i.e. two pieces cannot be of the same style.
No grade lower than the Proficiency Certificate requires a pre-requisite in theory.
The Proficiency Certificate (better known as Grade 8) is a prerequisite for entry into the Associate Diploma. This Diploma consists of two parts: - Part One: Theory Grade 6&Part Two: Practical. Students are allowed to take each part in a separate exam but it must be completed within a span of three years.
The Associate Diploma is a prerequisite examination for entry into the Licentiate Diplomas which consist of two parts :- Part One: Theory Grade 7 & Part Two: Practical). Students are allowed to take each part in a separate exam but it must be completed within a span of three years.
Similarly for Licentiate Diploma which consists of two parts: - Part One: Theory Grade 8 & Part Two : Practical). There is an additional Part Three: Principles of Teaching Theory is a requirement for students taking the Licentiate Teacher Diploma. Students are allowed to take each part in a separate exam but it must be completed within a span of three years.
PRACTICAL LEVEL EXAMINATIONS
This exam is designed for musicians whose desire is to perform. Theory and other technical skills are kept to a minimum. Students who choose the Practical Level Examinations need only to play the number of pieces required for the Level. No technical studies such as scales, sight reading and aural test are required. They would also need to prepare a short information segment in a small folio on the pieces played. The pieces chosen could be classical or contemporary or a combination of both. However they would need to be of different styles and no two pieces should be of the same style e.g. two waltzes.
Students taking the Level 8, Professional Performance Diploma and Diploma in Public Performance are not required to obtain a pass in any level of the Theory of Music Examination. However, those taking the Professional Performance Diploma and Diploma in Public Performance should have passed a Level 8 and Professional Performance Diploma respectively.
MUSIC THEORY EXAMINATIONS
Music Theory under the GUILD gives students knowledge of both classical and contemporary theory. Not only do they learn about classical chords, its formation and progression they are also taught the formation of modern chords giving them a wider concept of music.
Composition plays an important role in music education. Students are taught composition when they have to complete an eight bar phrase and adding a melody to a given set of words. The GUILD gives students another method of composition when they have to write a melody to given chords.