Musicians Excel at HBHS

The Trinity Guildhall music examination is an assessment designed to test an individual's skill in playing instruments or singing.  It provides a range of grade levels for all instruments and voice from the initial Grade 1 through to 8.  HBHS' top musicians last year have achieved Grade 8, with Joshua Mo receiving an overall 92% distinction certificate for violin in June, while Oliver Wilding also gained a distinction certificate.  The Grade 8 examination not only involves the musician's ability to perform, but it also requires technical skills such as sight reading and oral skills which test the performer's ability to perform and comment on the different aspects of a randomly selected piece.  The level of interpretation of the selected performance pieces is also very high, as the performer has to focus on the emotions and themes that are encapsulated within the music.

Moreover, Christopher Mo, who has previously received the top award for Grade 8 in piano in 2010, and Joshua Mo, who received his performance certificate in 2010, also succeeded in achieving their ATCL Diploma Certificate for piano in 2011.  ATCL, which stands for the Associate of Trinity College, London, is equivalent to the performance standard of the first year at university as a full-time undergraduate.  It requires a repertoire of approximately 32 minutes, featuring music written by famous composers during the Baroque, Romantic, Classical and 20th Century eras.  The pieces are very technically advanced, and require a high level of interpretation to be conveyed adequately to the audience.  The candidate is also required to write a professionally laid-out programme, which shows the performer's understanding of the repertoire.  Having two fifteen year old Year 11 students achieve this diploma, with only a few points away from distinction, is a tremendous achievement.

Josh Mo (Year 12)