DIPLOMA or DEGREE?
DIPLOMA or DEGREE?
Since many people asked me bout the difference between diploma or degree in music course, n many think that v can only do a degree after diploma in music course, i decided to copy this blog from "theimperialsnake"-----> " www.theimperialsnake.blogspot.com." ermmm....hope he wont sue 4 infringing his copyright ....haha....
Pls note that Italid words are added by myself.
"I have been explaining this to most of my advanced students on the difference between a diploma and a degree in music. And I think I want to explain it (again) here in my blog to those who are interested about music education,whether you are a parent, a music student, or just a general music lover.Diploma is offered by music colleges, music conservatoires, music academy while degree is offered by universities. If you ambition is to become an excellent performer, or you just love performing and would like to challenge yourself to perform a very advanced repertoire, then take the diploma because diploma examinations major in practical more than theory. A degree, however, is for those who wants to have a qualification in music but do not have strong command in playing the instrument (not necessary, a degree holder can play a instrument well too, but they do focus a lot on the history, theory n general knowledge or different culture, a 2nd instrument....etc ---my own opinion) or maybe you just want to become a lecturer or a teacher. I have a friend, who is a degree holder, Bachelor in Music, she tried to take the DipABRSM examination and failed very badly. "
"I have heard many stories from students, parents, and music teachers where music teachers with degree lack in the skill of teaching but I'm not saying it refers to all degree holders.In a diploma examination, you have to play up to at least 40 minutes of Classical music on a grand piano with 2 examiners (one specialist and one generalist), your whole examination is live recorded for future review, you have to prepare and present 2 copies of programme notes for the examiner's reading, then you'll be tested on your Sight-Reading and lastly, Viva Voce. Sight-Reading is a test where the examiner will place a new piece of music that you have not seen before, mostly a very rare piece and you're expected to play on the spot as perfectly as you can as a performer. Viva Voce is a question-and-answering session where you'll be asked about the history of the instrument you play, the composer's life, the pieces you performed earlier and the technique you used."(4 diploma---there divided a few programme---recital or performance, teaching, composing, conducting. Normally ppl take recital or performance.....the above explanation n process of exam refers to recital or performance.)
"In degree examination, you have to prepare thesis, do assignments, take a written test in a big hall with all the other candidates and perform a recital in the university's hall. That's it!(there r many subjects offered in music degree...some r electives....eg: essembles, orchestra, vocal, hormonasation, composing, conducting, history, cultural studies, music therapy, phycology, teaching, etc----depends on which university) Please remember this: The university is a place where all kinds of subjects are taught and music is just one of the subjects. Universities do not major in performing but more to academic. Music conservatoires, music academy are truly established solely for the purpose of music education in performing and teaching. The academy or conservatoire have no other subject, only music. Every classroom, teacher, lecturer are only teaching music.Other academic subjects like accountancy, medicine, science, etc...will require students to get the diploma and then advance to degree."
(I would advise u to take both diploma n degree programme at the same time if u are a full time music student. Normally lecturers n teachers in some universities are willing to teach both programme, n they will prepare you 4 both examinations. ------my opinion)
" So, to many people out there, they thought a diploma music is just below a degree in music. Let me tell you this. In music, it is different. Diploma and degree is two separate bodies. If you know a music teacher who is a diploma holder, you'll know now that he/she is majoring in performing on stage as a professional performer. So do not look down on teachers with diploma qualifications. In fact, I'm proud to say that we, the diploma graduates are professional artists."(it depends actually, but it's true that diploma holder is not necessary not as good as a degree holder especially in performing an instrument, sometimes it depends on which examination board(diploma) n which university(degree) ----my own opinion)
Since many people asked me bout the difference between diploma or degree in music course, n many think that v can only do a degree after diploma in music course, i decided to copy this blog from "theimperialsnake"-----> " www.theimperialsnake.blogspot.com." ermmm....hope he wont sue 4 infringing his copyright ....haha....
Pls note that Italid words are added by myself.
"I have been explaining this to most of my advanced students on the difference between a diploma and a degree in music. And I think I want to explain it (again) here in my blog to those who are interested about music education,whether you are a parent, a music student, or just a general music lover.Diploma is offered by music colleges, music conservatoires, music academy while degree is offered by universities. If you ambition is to become an excellent performer, or you just love performing and would like to challenge yourself to perform a very advanced repertoire, then take the diploma because diploma examinations major in practical more than theory. A degree, however, is for those who wants to have a qualification in music but do not have strong command in playing the instrument (not necessary, a degree holder can play a instrument well too, but they do focus a lot on the history, theory n general knowledge or different culture, a 2nd instrument....etc ---my own opinion) or maybe you just want to become a lecturer or a teacher. I have a friend, who is a degree holder, Bachelor in Music, she tried to take the DipABRSM examination and failed very badly. "
"I have heard many stories from students, parents, and music teachers where music teachers with degree lack in the skill of teaching but I'm not saying it refers to all degree holders.In a diploma examination, you have to play up to at least 40 minutes of Classical music on a grand piano with 2 examiners (one specialist and one generalist), your whole examination is live recorded for future review, you have to prepare and present 2 copies of programme notes for the examiner's reading, then you'll be tested on your Sight-Reading and lastly, Viva Voce. Sight-Reading is a test where the examiner will place a new piece of music that you have not seen before, mostly a very rare piece and you're expected to play on the spot as perfectly as you can as a performer. Viva Voce is a question-and-answering session where you'll be asked about the history of the instrument you play, the composer's life, the pieces you performed earlier and the technique you used."(4 diploma---there divided a few programme---recital or performance, teaching, composing, conducting. Normally ppl take recital or performance.....the above explanation n process of exam refers to recital or performance.)
"In degree examination, you have to prepare thesis, do assignments, take a written test in a big hall with all the other candidates and perform a recital in the university's hall. That's it!(there r many subjects offered in music degree...some r electives....eg: essembles, orchestra, vocal, hormonasation, composing, conducting, history, cultural studies, music therapy, phycology, teaching, etc----depends on which university) Please remember this: The university is a place where all kinds of subjects are taught and music is just one of the subjects. Universities do not major in performing but more to academic. Music conservatoires, music academy are truly established solely for the purpose of music education in performing and teaching. The academy or conservatoire have no other subject, only music. Every classroom, teacher, lecturer are only teaching music.Other academic subjects like accountancy, medicine, science, etc...will require students to get the diploma and then advance to degree."
(I would advise u to take both diploma n degree programme at the same time if u are a full time music student. Normally lecturers n teachers in some universities are willing to teach both programme, n they will prepare you 4 both examinations. ------my opinion)
" So, to many people out there, they thought a diploma music is just below a degree in music. Let me tell you this. In music, it is different. Diploma and degree is two separate bodies. If you know a music teacher who is a diploma holder, you'll know now that he/she is majoring in performing on stage as a professional performer. So do not look down on teachers with diploma qualifications. In fact, I'm proud to say that we, the diploma graduates are professional artists."(it depends actually, but it's true that diploma holder is not necessary not as good as a degree holder especially in performing an instrument, sometimes it depends on which examination board(diploma) n which university(degree) ----my own opinion)
posted by Phooi Fun at
2:16 AM
6 Comments:
Kp, music is something one should enjoy. Not about diploma or degree.No harm doing all the way if u have passion for this. IF not dun fucking waste ur time and money. lol
By
Anonymous, at 3:42 PM
Very interesting, Phooi Fun.
Do you plan to do a degree in Music?
By
J, at 2:48 AM
First, you should at least have the courtesy to ask for my permission to publish my post in your blog. Second, don't you think the requirement to study a music degree in university is lower than the requirement to sit for a diploma performing examination? Let's say you can only choose one. Which one would you take first?
Let's say you take degree for four years and then come out to learn the diploma syllabus under a private teacher. You're already 4 years older in your fingers' agility and memory. Your brain is basically 4 years older than other performers.
That is why professors love teaching young kids especially those child prodigy.
Of course it is best to study both but to do it at the same time, unless you're so damn free. Lastly, in future if you want to copy my post, please ask first and do put the link to my blog to show readers from where you took the post. Thank you in advance.
By
Anonymous, at 11:31 PM
First of all, please have the courtesy and some manners to ask the author's permission before you copy his post into your own blog.
Second, I have no intention to mean that degree holders are not as good a performer as diploma holders. All I meant was of all the degree holders I met, none is a better player than some of the diploma holders I know.
I even have a friend who puts diploma holders on the top of her list to hire new teachers. The reason is that, the requirement to study a music degree in university is so low compared to sit for a diplooma examination. Do you know with a grade 5 theory cert and perhaps a graade 6 or 7 practical cert, you can enrol for the degree programme.
Where else, in diploma, you have to pass the grade 8 practical in the same instrument to take the examination. So, which is higher in standard?
Which is more difficult: to play in front of two examiners or an audience or to sit in a hall with many other candidates for a writing test?
Yes, no doubt you need to revise and do lots of research for the writing test but imagine how many endless hours you have to practise on your piano (or other instruments) to perform live the best you could play in front of the scary, serious looking examiners.
Lastly, I am NOT saying that degree holders make the worse teachers or performers BUT they do lack "something" in their playing. Afterall, that's just my personal opinion. You may not have to agree.
By
Anonymous, at 11:39 PM
1st of all, i wound like to apologize to the snake 4 copying his blog without asking 4 permision. really sorry 4 that.
About the topic, which programme requires a higher qualification, i think it's base on what university or college, or examination board. I suggest others to do both programme at the same time, because i have many friends who r doing their music degree r also doing their diploma at the same time, and they told me that they learn a lot from these 2 progammes, both benefits them a lot from the different elements , aspects.
By
Phooi Fun, at 5:11 PM
Jessy, i am not planning to do a degree programme in music, but i am now doing my diploma programme.
By
Phooi Fun, at 5:12 PM
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