Post by Steve Hopwood on Nov 27, 2008 16:57:58 GMT
Copied below is an email I sent to the AB yesterday. It is self-explanatory and copying it saves me some typing:
Hi there
I want to express my appreciation of exceptionally kind actions by an examiner today. Sorry, but I do not know this individual's name, so here are some details so you can identify him:
* Venue: Doncaster.
* Woodwind exams.
* Date: 25.11.08, 2.15 - 4.15 pm
I was the accompanist for these candidates.
The candidate relevant to this email is a hopeless 19 year old crippled by shyness. She turned up for the exam at exactly the moment she was due to enter the exam room, yet the examiner allowed her 10 minutes to warm up and practise with me.
With impeccable sensitivity, this examiner had quickly worked out the I have a great rapport with the candidates I accompany. He had arranged their standing position so that they and I had immediate eye contact with one another.
The young lady in question ground to a halt during her second piece; welling up in tears, she cried out to be allowed to start again. I could see that the exam could quickly collapse somewhat wetly, so I simply said, "Yes, or course we will start again" played the intro and we were off.
The examiner could have stepped in at any point and disallowed the second attempt, yet he chose not to. Such kindness deserves recognition, so I would like you to pass on my appreciation to him for this.
I do not expect a pass, of course - miracles do not happen all that often, I just want you to tell the examiner how much his efforts were appreciated today
.
With thanks
Steve Hopwood
In their reply, the AB told me the judge for the day was Charles Barns, so look out for his name, those of you daft enough to still be submitting candidates to AB instead of TG. If you get him, your kids are in good hands.
Hi there
I want to express my appreciation of exceptionally kind actions by an examiner today. Sorry, but I do not know this individual's name, so here are some details so you can identify him:
* Venue: Doncaster.
* Woodwind exams.
* Date: 25.11.08, 2.15 - 4.15 pm
I was the accompanist for these candidates.
The candidate relevant to this email is a hopeless 19 year old crippled by shyness. She turned up for the exam at exactly the moment she was due to enter the exam room, yet the examiner allowed her 10 minutes to warm up and practise with me.
With impeccable sensitivity, this examiner had quickly worked out the I have a great rapport with the candidates I accompany. He had arranged their standing position so that they and I had immediate eye contact with one another.
The young lady in question ground to a halt during her second piece; welling up in tears, she cried out to be allowed to start again. I could see that the exam could quickly collapse somewhat wetly, so I simply said, "Yes, or course we will start again" played the intro and we were off.
The examiner could have stepped in at any point and disallowed the second attempt, yet he chose not to. Such kindness deserves recognition, so I would like you to pass on my appreciation to him for this.
I do not expect a pass, of course - miracles do not happen all that often, I just want you to tell the examiner how much his efforts were appreciated today
.
With thanks
Steve Hopwood
In their reply, the AB told me the judge for the day was Charles Barns, so look out for his name, those of you daft enough to still be submitting candidates to AB instead of TG. If you get him, your kids are in good hands.
