Seven Oundle pupils, Matthew Ho (18), Francis Yiu (16), Fin Stowers Veitch (17), Charlotte Ma (16), Miles Aho (18), Ed Willey (18) and Tom Arnold (18) have recently been awarded music diplomas. Matthew gained a distinction in his viola DipABRSM. Francis and Fin’s Dip ABRSM diplomas are on the violin and Charlotte’s is on the piano. Miles gained an ATCL piano diploma. Ed and Tom gained Rock School diplomas on electric bass and electric guitar respectively.
Considered to be the equivalent of the standard expected in the first year of an undergraduate music degree, the diplomas are a significant achievement. The pupils can now use the letters after their names, wear an academic gown with an elegant hood and will be allocated UCAS points.
Matthew, who has played the viola for five years since starting on the violin eleven years ago, gained a distinction in his viola DipABRSM. His diploma pieces were Viola Concerto in G by Telemann, Märchenbilder by Schumann and Sonata in E♭ by Brahms. Matthew is studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics and hopes to read Physics at Imperial College, London. He plans to work towards a higher level diploma (LRSM), and join a university orchestra – all whilst continuing to play the piano as well as the viola.
Francis, who gained a Dip ABRSM diploma on the violin, has played it for ten years and also plays the piano. He plans to study Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths next year at A level and hopes to go on to study medicine at university. His diploma pieces included Bach’s Sonata in E Minor, Beethoven’s ‘Spring’ Sonata No. 5 in F Major, Opus 24, Kabalevsky’s Violin Concerto in C major, Opus 48 and Danse Espagnole from La Vida Breve by Manuel de Falla (arranged by Kreisler)
Francis commented, “I hope to achieve a LRSM in the Sixth Form, which is the next level beyond a DipABRSM, and in the future hopefully, if I work hard enough, maybe to play a concerto.”
Fin, who also gained a Dip ABRSM diploma on the violin, has been playing it for eleven years and also plays the piano. His diploma pieces included Suite Italienne by Stravinsky, Concerto in G major by Mozart, two movements from Bach’s Partita no.2, the ‘Spring’ Sonata by Beethoven and Moto perpetuo by Frank Bridge. He is currently studying Maths, Chemistry, Economics and History and hopes to study Chemistry at university, continuing with his music as a hobby.
Charlotte has played the piano since she was around six years old and gained her Dip ABRSM diploma. She also enjoys classical singing (she is taking her Grade 8 next year) and composing music. For her diploma exam she played Prelude and Fugue No. 5 in D Major by Bach, Piano Sonata no. 8 in C minor by Beethoven, Intermezzo in A by Brahms and Le chat et la souris (Cat and Mouse) by Aaron Copland. Next year she will be studying Physics, Maths, German and English Literature and hopes to go on to study Law prior to a career in Corporate Law.
Miles gained an ATCL piano diploma, having been playing the piano for ten years. He also plays the viola, organ and the guitar, as well as taking singing lessons. His diploma programme consisted of two major works: Chopin’s two Nocturnes,Opus 48 and Beethoven’s ‘Pathetique’ Sonata. He is studying History, Maths, Further Maths and Economics and hopes to study History at Hertford College, Oxford starting next year. He plans to continue playing the piano and would also like to keep up his singing, whether it be in a choir or in a more relaxing close harmony group.
Ed gained a Rock School diploma on electric bass, having played the bass guitar since he was eleven. He also plays the piano, viola and sings. He played Teen Town and Three Views of a Secret by Jaco Pastorius; Spain by Chick Corea; There is Only So Much Oil in the Ground, What is Hip? and Down to the Nightclub by Tower of Power and finally Dune Tune by Level 42. Ed is studying Maths, Music, Chinese and French at A level and has been offered a place to study Chinese at Cambridge next year
Ed commented, “I enjoy composing and singing greatly, and hope to continue these at University and beyond along with my bass playing.”
Last but by no means least, Tom also gained a Rock School diploma. He has been playing the electric guitar for eight years and played Satch Boogie by Joe Satriani, Texas Flood by Stevie Ray Vaughan, I Remember Wes by George Benson, Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits, Song of the Wind by Carlos Santana. He is currently studying A levels in Maths, Latin, French, and Spanish and hopes to read Modern Languages at UCL next year where he plans to continue playing the guitar, both acoustic and electric, in London.
Director of Music, Quentin Thomas commented, “All seven pupils deserve our warmest congratulations for fulfilling these significant achievements that represent the investment of sustained effort and dedication in the pursuit of developing real ability and musical excellence.
It is a proud moment indeed when any person reaches the top of the music examination ladder and attains Grade 8, but gaining a professional diploma is another league entirely. Earning the right to have a bunch of letters after your name on all documentation for the rest of your life is testimony to the accolade of salutes and applause that these players deserve. The demonstration of independent learning, the honing of skills and the dedication of hours of sustained periods of practice along with everything that is healthy with learning an instrument – multi-tasking, multi-processing, communication skills, public performing, control of nerves, organisation, perseverance – all of this speaks volumes for a person.