Going Solo: Victoria College of Music's new Musical Theatre syllabus

‘Victoria College of Music’s (VCM) Musical Theatre exams are about so much more than singing,’ says teacher Olive Powderly of Toccata House Music School in Drogheda, Ireland, ‘Examiners always mark my pupils as allrounders: encouraging them in so many diverse aspects of their work.’

‘The experience of an exam can be a daunting one at any time, but my students come out of their exams with smiles on their faces and say how much they have enjoyed the experience,’ adds Powderly.

The power of performance

Perhaps the clue to why this is can be found in the syllabus under the heading ‘What the examiner is looking for.’ It states:

Examiners are looking for an overall performance that incorporates all aspects of musical theatre. This includes the areas of acting, movement, correct vocal technique, facial expression, body language and characterisation. Examiners are looking not only for technical accuracy but an awareness of style and originality. While thorough research into performances is expected, candidates are encouraged to give performances their own individual interpretation where possible.

In other words, it is what the candidate puts into the performance that matters, not just the ability to sing. Confident use of all the space available, physical and manual gestures, basic elements of dance movement, plus all the aspects of dramatic art, are combined, encouraged, and stimulated by the examiner.

VCM

Victoria College has been examining Music as well as Speech & Drama since the 1890s but does not place Musical Theatre in either the Music or the Drama camp. It treats Musical Theatre as a unique subject in which performers are assessed for many varying facets of their work.

Luke Wright from Grimsby, who worked through the full range of grades and diplomas to gain a fellowship in his teens, feels his experience has influenced his future career. He says ‘thank you to Victoria College of Music for providing me with an option to consider getting involved in musical theatre in university, because the confidence it gave me was inspiring.’?

A refreshed syllabus

VCM's Musical Theatre exam syllabus, which has just been revised in its third edition since it began in 2009, has lists of suggested repertoires for each grade from a very basic beginner exam below Grade 1, through to Grade 8, followed by a full range of four levels of diploma for performers as well as for teachers. However, there is also scope for ‘Own Choice’ selections, provided the song is not already set for another grade.

Twenty per cent of the marks available at all levels are based on a friendly discussion between performer and examiner. This not only examines the performer's appreciation of Musical Theatre but really tries to help candidates ‘open up’, setting them at ease.

Accompaniment can be live in the traditional sense but the use of backing tracks is also encouraged. Candidates can have a ‘buddy’ present to enhance the dramatic effect or enable duets to be used. Lighting is optional, as are costumes. The quality of these is not directly assessed but the use the performer makes of them certainly is.

Virtual exams

Reuben Gericke of Holme Grange School in Berkshire performed ‘If I were a Rich Man’ from Fiddler on the Roof as one of three songs for his VCM Grade 7 and attained full marks. The examiner's report included the remark ‘Very confident stage presence: loved the surprise leap near the end!’

Reuben's teacher, head of music Richard Gobs, added, ‘We are delighted to use the VCM Musical Theatre syllabus with our students who particularly appreciate the freedom to select the songs of their choice! The list of suggested repertoire for each grade is varied, and the questions for the discussion are well chosen, encouraging candidates to think in greater depth about the plot of the musicals and the characters they are playing. With the onset of COVID, Victoria College stepped up to the mark and offered several flexible, alternative arrangements for taking the exams, including the use of video submissions and live Zoom appointments. The entire process of entering candidates is straightforward and not at all time-consuming. I would certainly recommend this exam board and syllabus to all those aspiring actors/singers wishing to enter exams in musical theatre.’

The gradual easing of restrictions has brought a return to face-to-face examinations in all VCM subjects, but the experience of using video-links has proved to have so many advantages (such as no minimum number of candidates, no need to congregate at exam centres, fewer safeguarding issues), that VCM has decided to offer virtual examinations (with or without pre-recorded performances) as an option indefinitely.

Details of all VCM exams, including Musical Theatre, can be seen at http://www.vcmexams.com or by emailing info@vcmexams.com. A free copy of the most recently revised Musical Theatre syllabus can be sent free of charge.