Dear Trinity College London South Africa Community,

In recent years, Trinity College London has made small yet impactful contributions to the local performing arts community by partially subsidizing exam fees of deserving students. We're aware of the substantial financial barriers standing in the way of many talented students, and endeavor to recognize and encourage the passion and commitment of students who might otherwise struggle to advance their studies. We do recognize examination fees are a tiny part of overall education costs, but nonetheless the subsidies have been welcomed by teachers and students. 

In addition to exam fee subsidies, this month's newsletter contains some useful information about the new digital exam path launching in July 2023 and we're eager to find out what you think of the new offering. You can also find links to recordings of recent Drama and Rock and Pop webinars, and lastly a recording of a presentation given to the Johannesburg SASMT.

We asked Trinity's UK examiner Chris Bennett to share his thoughts after examining across the country over the past month. As well as some useful advice for teachers and students, he was full of praise for our candidates' high level of achievement. Well done from the entire Trinity team. 

Please take note that exam entries for Trinity's Oct and Nov exams close over the coming week, depending on region. 

Enjoy the well deserved mid-year break and we look forward to touching base next term.

Best regards,

Peter Borchers - Trinity College London National Manager for South Africa, Botswana and Namibia

peter.borchers@trinitycollege.com

We received some heartwarming feedback in response to the Trinity "bursary" system described in the introduction. Meant to partially subsidize exam fees for an upcoming exam session, the impact could not have been better described than as follows.

Annika: "After our household fell apart, I was broken, and I was sure that my music was the first thing that was going to go. My clarinet and music are what kept me going in life. But my teacher ensured me that I don’t need to stress anymore. She came with the surprise that I was awarded with a Trinity bursary. My life came back, and I had a reason to live again. Thank you, Trinity. I love you."

To fin out more about the application process, please email Peter Borchers.

*Exciting Changes Coming to Trinity’s Digital Music*

We are very pleased to tell you about some exciting improvements that we’re making to our Digital Grades and Diplomas next month - July 2023.

A new, pieces-only option for all candidates, bringing even further choice and flexibility to the Classical & Jazz Digital Grades. This will offer a pathway for those who prefer to showcase their musical achievements through a programme of repertoire instead of a combination of pieces and technical work.

From 4th July 2023, choose between two pathways:

• Technical Work Pathway: Perform three repertoire pieces as well as technical work and receive a mark for the overall performance
  OR
• Repertoire-Only Pathway: Perform four pieces of repertoire

Submission Time Extended to 28 Days for All Digital Music and Drama Exams

Once candidates have received the link to their submission form, they will have 28 days to submit their exam, instead of the 14 that we currently operate.

Trinity Catch-Up Viewing

Drama Syllabus Info

Watch a recording of the June 2023 Drama webinar run by the London team in which the 2023 drama syllabus changes were discussed in detail.

Click here to watch the recording

Passcode: .ARR3q^@

Please note the passcode includes a dot at the start!

Rock and Pop Update

Watch a recording of the recent SA specific Rock and Pop information session run by the UK based Trinity RnP expert, Toby Davies.

Click here to watch the recording

Passcode: rP+2Q+z&

Some other useful RnP info:

Book and e-song store

Rock & Pop Practice Room

Additional song list 

Significance of July 1

On July 1 1979 Sony released the first Walkman, ensuring future generations could listen to their Trinity repertoire on the move. July 1 2023 happens to be significant for another reason; it's the closing date for this year's Music and Drama face-to-face exam entries in many centers across the country. Don't delay, enter now!!

Please download a copy of Peter's recent SASMT presentation here, or alternatively you can watch him narrating the slides here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fvp00be0B0.

Examiner Comments

Chris Bennett

Trinity Examiner May/June 2023

We caught up with Trinity's UK examiner Chris Bennett after he spent the past month examining hundreds of music students across SA.

What was your overall impression of the SA exam candidates?

The overall standard has been very strong - it's been so encouraging to see the way that face-to-face examining has bounced back since the pandemic. The organisation across the centres this month has been excellent - please pass on my thanks to the Trinity SA team.

What was the highlight of your trip?

Too many highlights to mention really - but arriving into Cape Town in glorious sunshine at the end of May was wonderful - I'm told it's not always like that in the Western Cape in the winter!! 

Any advice for SA music students and teachers after your lengthy trip? 

The most important thing really is to keep up the good work, there is some excellent musicianship in this country which is fantastic to see. As for exam technique - if a student makes a mistake in an exam, either in a piece or a technical work, they will always be given credit if they are able to scoop it up and keep going - restarts are of course permitted but it's always encouraging if a candidate can keep going after slipping up, rather than having to start again from the beginning. Secondly, with Piano candidates: please do encourage them to take advantage of the couple of minutes after you've come into the room to try out the piano - they will always be invited to play for a moment or so to try out the instrument, and this is not assessed in any way, so definitely make the most of this.

 Social Media

'Meet Your Rep'

Jenny Du Plessis joins the Trinity ZA team as the newly appointed representative for KZN. "I really hope to be a welcoming and "nothing is too much bother" representative for the pupils and teachers in KZN."

She shares what most excites her as the KZN representative, and gives us some insights into her own musical journey, here.

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Submitting Digital Exams

Exam Fees 2023

How to Enter 2023

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