FRSM

Requirements:

Recital - 50 minutes (+/- 10%)

Written Submission - 5000 words

Viva Voce - 20 minutes

Quick Study - Grade 8 standard

Grading:

Pass: 40 marks

Distinction: 73 marks

Total: 100 marks

My results: 47 marks

Programme:

Robert Schumann

Kriesleriana Op. 16

Francis Poulenc

Valse extradite de l'Album des Six

Ludwig van Beethoven

Sonata No. 31 in A flat, Op. 110

Venue of exam:

Date of exam (first attempt):

13 September 2017, Wednesday afternoon

Results of first attempt:

• 26/60 - Pass
• 8/25 - Fail
• 6/15 - Pass

Passed all sections, except Viva Voce, which means Failed for the entire exam, because it is required to pass every single section, in order to generate an overall Pass.

After receiving the results, I was upset because I thought my playing could be way better, but taste is subjective, so it is fine. What's more worrying is my Viva Voce, do I resubmit the entire Written Submission etc? Ultimately, I decided to re-draft my Written Submission, re-sit Quick Study and re-visit Viva Voce.

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Date of exam (second attempt):

5 March 2019

Results of second attempt:

• 26/60 - Carried over
• 12/25 - Pass
• 9/15 - Pass

So there you go, 47% (Pass is 40%) for FRSM, after two attempts.

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I was very happy! Especially since my Quick Study improved by three marks, and I completed the entire ABRSM Grades, phew...

But, how exactly was my piano learning for FRSM? Motivation, learning curve, reflections etc? Any difference from Grade 1 or 8 days? Got stress until tummy cramp (be it real or play pretend) anot? Who financed my FRSM? Did I pass simply because of the examiners' favours and connections? Am I truly a FRSM-er?

What is FRSM anyway? Does 'F' stand for Felloship and is this some church thing again?

The most important question:

FRSM got use anot? I think my Grade 1 damn cute la..

Who knows? Let it unfold...