‘Everything needs a bit of change after 25 years,’ says singer-songwriter Emily Barden, who has just updated Trinity's vocal exercises to include a set of short, modern pieces designed to take the singer from Initial to Grade 8.
Now, in the technical exercise section of exams, singers can still choose from unaccompanied song or Vaccai exercises, but they also have a new section which Trinity believes will appeal to a wider range of musicians.
‘Trinity's classical vocal exercises have been around for a quarter of a century,’ says Barden.
‘It's very much part of the Trinity ethos to help students find what suits them best, and these new exercises for the Vocal Exercises Initial – Grade 8 book are another option in the mix.’
They come with a piano backing CD – Barden believes that teachers playing in lessons can take their attention away from the pupil – including a sophisticated piano part to accompany the 12-bar pieces, each with words.
‘They are more contemporary and more fun,’ says Barden, who is currently working with Sing Up, Trinity College, Snape Maltings and West Sussex Music, where she runs several community choirs.
‘When I see the joy that people of all ages get out of singing, I really feel that these resources aren't just for singers taking graded exams – they are for everyone, wherever they are starting. At West Sussex Music, where I'm leader for singing and projects, I've trialled the pieces with singing teachers who have invariably said they are very useful as well as being popular with pupils.
‘They are challenging enough to remain a part of the Trinity classical syllabus but they are also useful for, say, rock and pop students who want to start learning some proper technique – or for an older person looking for exercises when they return to singing. And at 12 bars, with a text, they are not too onerous.’
Musical elements
The exercises have been devised as a series of mini songs, allowing students to develop skills within a performance setting, giving a practical application for each technical focus. Each grade contains three exercises that focus on developing musical elements related to pitch and tone, rhythm, and diction.
For many students, unable or unwilling to do the unaccompanied song and not engaged by the technical exercises, Barden's options will provide a lifeline.
‘Students don't always have a positive experience in this section,’ she says. ‘Some people said they would enjoy something more like a miniature song which would develop technique, and Trinity felt that it was important to provide something more accessible, contemporary and fun.
‘I think we've developed this very well but what is also important to me is the fact the whole book remains interesting and useful outside the exam system. It really can be used by anyone.’
Singing is frequently considered the best first step for the youngest musicians and it's an increasingly valued resource for musicians working with older people. Barden works with pupils from reception age, and her oldest is an 85-year-old in a community choir.
‘I'm a completely dedicated singer and I want others to share this. It's a joy to all ages, watching people come together through singing. When you meet people who were told at school that they can't sing or that they should leave, who then come back to it at 60 … I just feel how awful it is for a teacher to have told someone to stop!’
Valuing success
And with singing being such a personal art form, self-worth can rise and fall with success or otherwise.
‘When your body is your instrument, you're physically connected to the music you make. Such a personal form of music-making needs more than a onesize-fits-all qualification,’ says Francesca Christmas, Trinity's head of academic governance for music.
‘We feel that the different approaches and techniques in the range of musical styles needs to be acknowledged through qualifications that recognise the unique, personal nature of singing, which is why we are now offering three different ways that students can explore vocalisation and gain recognition for their achievements.’
And although these resources fall within the classical syllabus, Trinity is keen to emphasise they are useful to all singers, be it for the traditional exams for students performing classical or jazz repertoire, the Arts Award for learners who want to deepen their engagement with the arts, the rock and pop syllabus for musicians performing in popular music styles – or simply someone looking for a bit of technical help to get started.
