Hallmarks of distinction is a series of conferences for music teachers in South East Asia organised by ABRSM, the exam board for the Royal Schools of Music. This unique series of inspiring presentations will demonstrate to music teachers how to increase the effectiveness of their teaching by using the ABRSM marking criteria. The conference will particularly focus on the Piano Syllabus 2015 & 2016.

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Applying the revised marking criteria

At the conference, ABRSM’s Chief Examiner John Holmes, in collaboration with pianist Gary Matthewman, will explore how examiners use the revised ABRSM marking criteria to assess different aspects of playing, and how to get the most from the examiner’s mark form comments. This will help teachers learn how to plan lessons effectively by highlighting what candidates should concentrate on. There will also be live performances of a range of pieces across all the grades, to demonstrate the vital musical ingredients which make for characterful, stylistic and communicative piano playing. The series – which was formerly known as PDP – is an opportunity for music teachers to network and to learn how to get the most of their teaching. For more information or to book a place at the conference, visit www.abrsm.org/teacherconference.