Olivia M DipABRSM

Huge congratulations to Olivia M on passing her ABRSM Performance Diploma on the bassoon, entitling her to add DipABRSM after her name! This is a significant achievement at 15 (indeed, ABRSM were very surprised to have a minor apply). However, Olivia took the brave step to jump from grade 8, miss the ARSM level (which most students take next) and move straight to the first level of the specialist diplomas.

Olivia was one of only three students at the south east of England centre in Kent on the day of her exam, not surprising given the difficulties of practising with an accompanist and on-line and virtual lessons. The exam is very difficult to pass  with each component, including a performance section, viva, written performance notes and site reading needing to be passed. The exam is conducted by a specialist diploma level examiner and then reviewed through independent assessment. The ABRSM website states that the qualification is “roughly equivalent to a successful first year of a music degree”.

• Olivia started playing the bassoon when she was 7
• She was an Associate member of the National Children’s Orchestra for four years (aged 10-14)
• She was a member of the National Children’s Woodwind Orchestra at the age of 12
• She achieved Grade 8 distinction at the age of 14