Jodie Johnson is the ABRSM Student of the Year

A total of 101 students played at the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) practical exam and the Dominica Association of Music Educators (DAME) practical exams from April 23 – 25, and April 18-19 2013 respectively at the UWI Centre Open Campus (Dominica) Students were registered by the Henckel Muriel Music Workshop, Valena Letang, Christian Musical Class, Marie Music Studio, Jean Jacques Studio and Huguette Andrew St. Hillaire. There were also a few independent entrants.

Fifty six students played at the ABRSM exams: 13 received Distinctions, 15 Merits and 28 Passes while 45 students played at the DAME local exams; 14 received Distinctions, 24 Merits and 7 Passes. Jodie Johnson, a Grade 3 flute student with a total of 139 marks is the ABRSM Student of the Year. In the DAME exam Inoela Vital a Grade 2 saxophone student of the Valena Letang Studio was the top student with 145 out of a possible 150 points.

Special mention must be made of Jarett Jean-Jacques (8 years) who was examined on piano, trumpet, trombone, horn and euphonium at Grade 4 level and achieved distinction on trumpet and euphonium and merit on the other three instruments.

The students were examined on piano, recorder, voice, guitar, flute, clarinet, violin and saxophone for the DAME exam. In addition to those instruments, students also performed on horn, trumpet, euphonium and trombone in the ABRSM exam.

A High Scorers Concert will be held on Thursday 9th May 2013 at Fort Young Hotel at 7.00p.m. Students who obtained distinction pieces will be performing. Prizes will also be awarded to students who obtained highest scores in the various disciplines. Students who have demonstrated discipline, diligence and commitment from the various studios will also be recognized.

Although the concert is open to the public free of charge, DAME would appreciate donations to assist in its ongoing music education programme.