Recital, festival, exam...what are the difference?

When you start to learn an instrument or other activities (e.g. dance, choir etc), you would hear about recital. When you learn for longer, you may hear about festival and examination. What are they? Why do we need them?

Recital is usually more casual, it gives our hard working learners an opportunity to perform in public with encouragement and supports from their loved ones. Usually the performer will play one to two pieces from current level.

Festival is more formal with adjudicators. Performer would prepare at least one piece for the festival and enter to the category and level that suit. Category would include Baroque period, Classical period, Romantic period, 21st century etc. (different era of music). Performer would receive comments from the adjudicators and sometimes marks and awards would be given as well depending on the festival organization. It is a great opportunity for students who would like more exploration to performers outside of the studio and a great preparation for examination.

Examination is a well-rounded assessment. Students will not only prepare 1 or 2 pieces, but usually 4 pieces and up from different era, depending on the level. In addition, technique (e.g. scales, chords), sight reading and ear will be tested by an examiner. At certain level, theory will be tested in a separate examination which is called theory exam. After the assessment, students will receive a mark. When successfully pass a level, students will receive the certificate.

Is there one better than the other? It depends on your goal and your desire on learning the instrument, so there is no rights or wrongs. When you are learning an instrument, you may want to have an assessment at some points to know where you are. However, examination needs time to prepare, so the progress on other parts may slow down during the preparation period, but it gives students an ultimate goal.

Hope this short explanation gives you idea of each of them, have fun learning and achieving your goals.

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