Splitting Grade 10 RCM exam into practical and technical

[cagal]

Has anyone out there done this?  I plan on taking practical in January then technical in June, but was curious of those who have done this think it may be harder or easier.  I have very limited time in which to practice to it is easier for me to focus on one aspect (although I do try to fit in technical whenver possible).  I am also most busy at work from January to April (in accounting profession in Canada) so I feel technical would be much easier to focus on during this time.

Any comments would be appreciated. My program as it stands right now:
Bach Fantasis in C minor (about 30% memorized)
Mozart Sonata K282 - first two movements memorized and third in progress
Schubert Moment Musical Op94 No2 - 50% memorized (won't take me long to finish)  I also started Debussy Arabesque #1 with quite a bit of memory but decided it wasn't to be but it could be a late option if necessary
Rachmaninoff Prelude Op 32 No 10 - just started
List E - TBD

Thank you in advance

[quantum]

What do you mean by technical?  Theoretical exams are completely separate and do not need to be taken in the same session.  Co-requisites do have a time limit, something around 5 years after the practical, in order to get your certificate.  

Grade 10 technical elements such as scales and arpeggios are part of the practical exam.  Supplemental exams are available up to two years after for the technical elements if you wish to improve your initial mark.  I am unaware of the possibility for separating the technical exercises to a different session.  

Realize that repertoire takes a big chunk of the overall exam mark.  Technique, even though the requirements are large, takes a relatively small portion of the mark.  

---
Exam out of 100 marks

Repertoire = 56 marks

The two studies are 6 marks each = 12
All technical tests are 12 marks = 12

Ear Tests = 10

Sight Reading = 10
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That is 12 out of 100 marks for scales, chords, arpeggios, octaves, formula patterns, and your exercise of choice.

[cagal]

RCM issued a policy update as follows in respect of splitting Grade 10 piano exam into two sittings:

•one consisting entirely of the candidate's repertoire;
•one consisting of technical requirements, studies, ear tests, and sight reading. Although the division of material in split examinations cannot be altered, candidates will be able to schedule the two sittings in either order.

This is a fairly recent change - I belive it was started in 2011.  It was specifically introduced in recognition that older students may have heavier course loads and also older candidates may be working, so the time required to be fully prepared for one sitting isn't always possible or can be very onerous.  This is very true in my case.

One big issue I have always had with exams is when the examiner stops a piece part way, which will happen with Grade 10 in one sitting.  I personally find it very unsettling. 

[quantum]

Got it:
https://examinations.rcmusic.ca/policy-updates

If it works for you, then by all means do it.  If there were to be a concern, it would be that you may not have the same examiner for each session.  With music exams being subjective in terms of marking, you may not be graded on equal terms for separate sessions.  Additionally, the examiner hearing your technique will be unaware of your interpretive abilities in repertoire, and vice versa.  Marks would have to be "added" together, as opposed to a single examiner that has the big picture of you as a pianist, and can visualize your overall grade.  

One big issue I have always had with exams is when the examiner stops a piece part way, which will happen with Grade 10 in one sitting.  I personally find it very unsettling.  

Become more familiar in thinking of and performing your pieces in a non-linear state.   Avoid always practicing beginning to end.  Practice, a piece backwards from end to beginning.  Practice jumping across a score at random places.  For example of a 32 bar piece: Bar 32, 28-30, 1-8, 4-16, 20-31, 9-24, 1.  Do all this without pause, maintaining the pulse throughout the disjunct transitions between sections of the piece.  Use the score if you need to.  If you know where you need to go, you can get there. 

Prepare and plan what you need to do in order to maintain a piece if there was a slip up or distraction.  The above exercise helps in that in teaches you to maintain focus when the linear timeline of a piece is broken.  Also practice recovering from memory slips, or note slips.  You should be able to get back on your feet quickly if something of the sort were to happen.  Preparing for these circumstances can remove much of the anxiety that surrounds them.  If you know you have the tools to tackle and fix problems or interruptions in performance, you will have less anxiety about them.  

[cagal]

Quantum - thanks for input; it made me thnk about why it bothered me so much before when I was stopped.  I think it was I felt that I did not necessarily show off all the hard work I put into the pieces especially if at the beginning there were slip ups, there wasn't the opportunity to really show what I was capable of.  Granted, I don't think I was completely prepared on earlier exams.  For 10, I am doing exactly as you describe by breaking pieces down in to distinct sections that I can jump to if I have a mental slip or whatever.  I actually feel very comfortable knowing where I am in pieces as for the first time ever I can actually visualize where I am going next.   You are definitely on point about knowing the pieces well enough to remove anxiety.

I think my question was really more out of curiosity than anything else.  This is a fairly new option and very different from the traditional approach, which is what I am used to although I have not sat for a piano exam in over 25 years.

I think I will go for the two sessions.  I am not doing this for any other reason than personal satisfaction and I think I would like to be able to play through my whole repertoire.  I would, of course, like to pass with high enough marks to qualify for ARCT, but do not know that I will actually pursue it should I qualify.

[thing2emma]

I split my exam, I did technical back in January, and I'm doing repertoire in a week. It was good for me because I don't have good practice habits and I would have not done well if I had tried to do it all at once.
The fact that having two different examiners is a good point, however, as much as it gives you twice the chance to have a bad examiner, it gives you twice the chance to have a good one to... which is worth it to me. Plus, I've been told the Grade 10 exams actually have two examiners in each exam.
As an aside, I may be mistaken but it looks like they stick you with the same examiner both exams anyway, my grade sheet only has one spot for a signature despite the markings saying it's incomplete. I guess I'll find out if that's true on Thursday, but it appears so to me.

[cagal]

I would really like to know how it works out for you.  I want to do my repertoire first; technique is definitely weaker for me.  How long was the technical exam?  Do you have to do more since the exam is split?  I know this is relatively new, but I think for me it is better due to time constraints for practice.

[cagal]

BTW - good luck on Thursday!  What pieces are you studying?

My repertoire is:
Bach Fantasia in C Minor
Mozart Sonata K282
Schubert Moment Musical Op 94 no 2
Rachmaninoff Prelude Op 32 No 10
Barber Pas de Deux

[nanabush]

Nice, Rach is ARCT as well

What studies are you playing?

...I did the grade 10 about 4 years before they implemented that, and I kind of wish that I was able to do it   I definitely remember spending more time trying to memorize the pieces, and getting asked to play the alternating dominant seventh pattern of Gb major was kind of a pain haha.

[cagal]

Nanbush,

I have not picked studies yet!  I should be able to do technical exam a year in June, so hopefully this gives me plenty of time.  I had my lesson last night and we discussed starting ear/melody playback training to get this part of the program moving.  I will likley start studies in the fall.  I really want to get my List A, B and C fully memorized (they are 50 - 75% done but it takes me forever).  I started the Rach List D a few weeks ago, but it is coming along great.  I just started List E last week, but I think I will be able to manage it farily easily.  He gave me a few choices and we selected based on where my strengths are.  I love the Takacs Toccata but there was absolutely no way I would have it ready for January.  Very cool piece though - I want to learn it "just because"