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Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
The International Drum Graded Exam

Introduction

In the wake of the SARS outbreak in 2003, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra organised the "Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition and the Hong Kong Drum Festival" to encourage Hong Kong people to rally round. Although the Competition was forced to be suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the general public’s eagerness to continue playing drum music has not abated. In the view of this, the HKCO launched the International Drum Graded Exam in 2020.

Supporting and Certifying Organisations: ‘Centre for Chinese Music Studies, Department of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong’ and ‘Department of Music, Hong Kong Baptist University’

Supporting Organisations: 'New Territories School Heads Association', 'Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council' and 'Hong Kong Island School Heads Association' 


Specialism Subject of the Examination
Chinese drums (Datanggu, Xiaotanggu, Biangu, Paigu)
Grading in the Examination
The grades of performance assessments are from Grade 1 to 8
Prerequisites
There is no age limit for candidates.Candidates under the age of 18 must apply through their parents / guardians, teachers or schools / music centres. Candidates aged 18 or above can apply on their own or through their parents / guardians, teachers or schools / music centres.
Contents of the Examination
Contents of the examination are as follows. Candidates should refer to and use the designated scores compiled and published by the HKCO for the Drum Graded Exam only.

Grade 1 to Grade 5
Part 1
List 1: One piece from Synergy 24 (2003 Original Primary Version)
List 2: One piece to be chosen by candidate himself / herself (choice of one out of the five pieces in the syllabus for the respective grade)
List 3: One piece from extracts of orchestral works
Part 2
Aural Test: Question and answer session on music theory and background knowledge of the repertoire
Part 3
Sight-reading: Sight-reading piece pertinent to the grade

Grade 6 to Grade 8
Part 1
List 1: One piece from Synergy 24 (10th Anniversary Version)
List 2: One piece to be chosen by candidate himself / herself (choice of one out of the three pieces in the syllabus for the respective grade)
List 3: One piece from extracts of orchestral works
Part 2
Aural Test: Question and answer session on music theory and background knowledge of the repertoire
Part 3
Sight-reading: Sight-reading piece pertinent to the grade
Examination Requirements
  • List 1 Synergy 24 must be performed from memory.
  • Candidates aged 6 or under and aged 60 or above (as of the date of entry) can be exempt from performing from memory.
  • With the exception of the assessment of Synergy 24 as stated above, candidates can choose to perform from memory or from score for the other segments.
  • All Chinese drums (Datanggu, Xiaotanggu, Biangu and Paigu) for the examination will be provided at the venue. Candidates must bring their own drumsticks.
  • The examination repertoire must be performed according to the score. No accompanists, CD accompaniments or sound effects will be allowed.
  • For the sight-reading segment, candidates have one minute to study the score silently before the examiner begins the examination.
  • Candidates who are taking the 6 to 8 grades are required to prepare two pieces from extracts of orchestral works for part 1 (List 3). The examination repertoire will be determined by draw on the exam day.
Date, Time and Venue of Examination
Please refer to the HKCO website and related documents for the latest information.
  • Date and time of examination: 22 April 2023 and 23 April 2023 (The exact date and time to be set out in a Notification for Examination sent to the candidate by email).
  • Examination Venue: The details of the examination venue will be announced in the Notification for Examination.
How to Apply
  • Registration method: Online registration (URL: https://mip.hkeaa.edu.hk/mip/HKCO )
  • Registration period: 20 January 2023 (8:30am HKT) to 20 February 2023 (5:30pm HKT)
  • Applicants must apply online within the registration period.
Examination Fees
Registration fee, assessment fee, examination venue, musical instruments required and a set of music scores for the examination are included in the examination fee. Once the examination fee is paid, it will not be refunded, nor can it be used to pay other examination registration fees or examination fees of others. Please keep the payment receipt for your records.

- Grade 1 HK$880
- Grade 2 HK$980
- Grade 3 HK$1,080
- Grade 4 HK$1,280
- Grade 5 HK$1,480
- Grade 6 HK$1,680
- Grade 7 HK$1,880
- Grade 8 HK$2,080
  • The examination will be taken in either Cantonese or Putonghua; For applicant who needs to take the exam in English or other languages, please mention during registration.
  • The music scores included in the examination fee will be mailed to applicants by post within two weeks after submitting the application form. Applicants who have not received the music score by 10 March 2023, please contact HKEAA immediately.
  • Additional fee: Once the application form is accepted, additional fee will be charged by the HKEAA for the following reasons (if approved): Late registration / Late payment of examination fees / Change of applicant identity / Request for additional translation services after registration / Change of application level / Change of exam date or time (same exam only).
Notification for Examination
A Notification for Examination will be sent by email on 4 April 2023, with a link for downloading the exam instructions.

Candidates who have not received their Notification for Examination by 10 April 2023 should contact HKEAA immediately. Candidates must take the examination according to the specific date, time and place listed on the Notification for Examination. If the candidates’ information on the Notification for Examination is incorrect, they should inform the HKEAA International and Professional Examinations Division by email immediately.

Candidates must read and follow the latest "Precautionary Measures at the Examination Centres" printed on the Notification for Examination before the examination.

Audio or Video Recording
Audio or video recordings of the examination will be made by the HKCO Drum Exam Unit for archive and internal use only.
Examination Results
The results of the examination will be sent by mail within six weeks after the date of examination. Candidates who have not received their results within 3 months may contact HKEAA International and Professional Examinations Division.
Certificate
Certificates for candidates who passed the examination will be sent to the candidates by registered mail / local courier post within eight weeks after the examination. Non-local postage will be borne by the candidate. (If the applicant is a school / music centre, the name of the recipient will be the school / music centre written on the entry form). Candidates who have not received their certificates within 3 months after the examination may contact the HKEAA International and Professional Examinations Division.

For more information, please visit the websites below:
Introduction:
Online registration:

Enquiry
For enquiry, please contact:
HKCO Drum Exam Unit
Address: 7/F, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building 345 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong
Tel: (852)3185 1640 / 3185 1624
Fax: (852)2815 5615
Email: dge@hkco.org
Website: www.hkco.org

HKEAA International and Professional Examinations

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