Music Exam marking fiasco

raddy59

Many thanks to you and your friend.
I think I am in the official complaints process at the moment. I was trying to find out just how bad I was technically to just miss a pass as performance is my strong point.
They could have answered like your friend has suggested,but they didn't but raised the 12 bar blues canard.
The problem is with this incomplete report and feedback and the resit fast approaching I don't really know what to address. Is the program varied enough? Was the communication lacking? Was my technical performance so dreadful to overshadow a good performance. Who knows? I don't.

I think I may swing it past the Director as a final shot to at least get some guidance for my £400 exam fee


Thanks again

Manxman_in_exile

At least two good bits of advice in the comments from jobbingmusician's friend.


First, read the complaints procedure because it always helps if you follow the correct process exactly. (OP - you seem to be unsure whether it is being treated as a complaint or not? I would have thought you need to know this).


Second, I think you need to be absolutely clear that you have not been marked correctly/fairly and that you do have a legitimate cause for complaint. You don't want to appear to unreasonably stubborn about this. (But from what I've read here it does seem as if something has gone wrong here).


Also, have you thought about posting on the Students' board on this forum? There are sometimes threads on there about university complaints and someone may be able to comment about that aspect.

raddy59

All they had to say at the outset when I first asked was that I just didn't, in the examiners opinion, hit the mark. Where then could I have gone. They didn't. They didn't reply until I took it higher.

They didn't answer my query but raised a stylistic point which they said affected the whole perdormance, not on the report, that was ridiculous as anyone who knew anything about music would know (bearing in mind the examiners for a Jazz Licentiate where 2 choristers - nothing wrong in that if they at least have some knowledge of what they are examining ?)

So I now query this and get no reply - contacted the Director last Wed. with a promise of an "urgent response". Still nothing

I would love to put this to bed, but seriously what would you do. I paid £400 for this exam, now borrowed another £400 for a resit next week and I still don't know what went wrong with attempt number 1!

So seriously, what would you do? I might just take your advice .

Manxman_in_exile

I would follow the complaints procedure. You really need to know where you stand with this and whether you have a legitimate complaint about the examination.


What would I do? Well, I have no musical talent whatsoever, That means I would never ever go for a qualification that was based on a one-off performance.


And the problem with your performance is that it was not recorded in any way and it depends solely on the subjective judgment of examiners there on the day. The point of me recalling my niece's experience was that a permanent record of her exam performance existed and it could be reviewed after the fact.


Please understand I'm not criticising you. Rather I'm criticising the way certain non-quantifiable subjects are assessed. (How do you objectively assess a subjective subject?).


Having said that, ensure you are following the university's complaints procedure and follow it through. Assuming again you are sure you have been unfairly done by.

t0rt0ise

If it were me I'd pay for a one off lesson with someone trusted in the field, play the pieces and take their advice on what changes to make.

raddy59

Manxman
Which is why I stayed on objective points
1. Performance comments were absent
2. You cant play 12 bar blues wherever/whenever you feel like it

But you make some good points.
For myself, there were some issues that needed looking at (not enough to fail IMO) but I have taken them on board as springboards to improving.

many thanks for taking the time and trouble to offer your advice

raddy59

tortoise
that's why I have a tutor - and he thinks the exam board are wrong in this case, tho' being longer in the tooth than I he says you never win. I am a little more optimistic - though that optimism is fading. I think integrity is a trait sadly lacking these days - even going so far as ignoring legitimate enquiries which quite frankly, as one who has had to deal with similar situations, I find appalling.

raddy59

Got a free resit

jobbingmusician

Excellent! Well done for persevering! (And I'm off to tell my friend.)

Manxman_in_exile

Well done!