Digital Music Examinations were unheard of a couple of years ago. Were we comfortable with the way things were or did we just see no need for digital exams until the pandemic forced us to think differently? I, for one, am glad my students had the opportunity to continue their musical journey as well as their examinations thanks to the technology we have today. Zoom classes, online recitals, digital marksheets and exams through a screen with an examiner on the other side of the world- an experience I’m sure many will soon not forget. It has been an incredible journey with a steep learning curve which has certainly forced many of us to update our teaching methods (as well as our internet connections) to keep up with this new way of life.
Understandably, many teachers are eager to go back to in person examinations but many more are happy to have digital exams as an option in the years to come. Digital exams not only offer candidates the ability to appear for an exam at a place and time of their convenience but also takes away the pressure of a live performance that some candidates perform better without. One thing that does remain is the fact that LCME does continue to offer innumerable options for candidates of all ages and abilities from recital grades to performance awards (and everything in between) in the largest number of subjects among all boards. While we cannot wait for things go back to normal and meeting all our candidates in person soon, we also are grateful for this new way of learning, examining and expanding our music knowledge.