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Hong Kong Chinese OrchestraInternational 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. (*The examination fee includes a copy of the music score (for the corresponding grade), for more details please see the section of “Music Score for Examination“ in below)
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. (*The examination fee includes a copy of the music score (for the corresponding grade), for more details please see the section of “Music Score for Examination“ in below)
- Drum Graded Exam Pieces (Grade 1-3): https://bit.ly/3CewJbP
- Drum Graded Exam Pieces (Grade 4-5): https://bit.ly/3bboaCR
- Drum Graded Exam Pieces (Grade 6-7): https://bit.ly/3cDgYnp
- Drum Graded Exam Pieces (Grade 8): https://bit.ly/3ehUbhk
Grade 1 to Grade 5
Part 1
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
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: 10 May 2025 and 11 May 2025 (The exact date and time to be set out in a Notification for Examination sent to the candidate by email).
- Examination dates and times will be arranged and allocated by the HKEAA. Candidates are required to be present for examination at the examination date, time and venue specified on the admission forms. All applications for the rescheduling of examinations must be made in advance to the HKEAA . If an application is accepted, the candidate is required to pay an additional administrative fee of HK$362.
How to Apply
- Registration method: Online registration (URL: https://mip.hkeaa.edu.hk/mip/HKCO )
- FPS or WeChat Pay is also accepted. Registration period: 13 January 2025 (8:30am HKT) to 28 February 2025 (5:30pm HKT)
- Applicants are required to submit the application at the on-line registration platform: https://mip.hkeaa.edu.hk/mip/HKCO during the registration period. Schools / music centres and teachers can use the ‘upload pre-filled application information’ function, which can register up to 30 candidates for the examination at a time. Regarding the on-line registration procedures, please refer to the following guidelines for reference:
- Before registration, applicants are required to own a valid email address;
- Applicants are required to provide an image file of their Hong Kong Identity Cards/Passports (for verification purposes only and will be destroyed after the application is completed);
- Examination fees must be settled on-line by credit card as instructed. Only credit cards with 'Verified by VISA' or 'MasterCard Secure Code' will be accepted. FPS or WeChat Pay is also accepted.
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$900
- Grade 2 HK$1,000
- Grade 3 HK$1,100
- Grade 4 HK$1,300
- Grade 5 HK$1,500
- Grade 6 HK$1,700
- Grade 7 HK$1,900
- Grade 8 HK$2,100
- 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.
- 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).
Music Score for Examination
The examination fee includes a copy of the music score (for the corresponding grade). After completing the registration on the HKEAA website, applicants or candidates should bring their registration confirmation email to the office of the International and Professional Examinations Department of the HKEAA during office hours to collect it.
Examination score collection date: January 13, 2025 to May 7, 2025
Office address : 3/F, 17 Tseuk Luk Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon
General office hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm; closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
The examination fee includes a copy of the music score (for the corresponding grade). After completing the registration on the HKEAA website, applicants or candidates should bring their registration confirmation email to the office of the International and Professional Examinations Department of the HKEAA during office hours to collect it.
Examination score collection date: January 13, 2025 to May 7, 2025
Office address : 3/F, 17 Tseuk Luk Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon
General office hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm; closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Notification for Examination
A Notification for Examination will be sent by HKEAA by email on 25 April 2025, with a link for downloading the exam instructions. Candidates must take the examination according to the specific date, time and place listed on the Notification for Examination. If the candidate does not receive their notification for examination by 2 May 2025 or find their information on the Notification for Examination is incorrect, they should inform the HKEAA International and Professional Examinations Division by email immediately.Special Examination Arrangements
If a candidate requires special arrangements to undertake the examination, a written application must be submitted together with medical certificate(s) in Chinese when submitting the registration form. All applications for special examination arrangements will be submitted to the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra for review and approval, candidates will be informed of the result in writing.
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 and 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. (If the applicant is a school / music centre, the name of the recipient will be the school / music centre written on the entry form). The HKEAA will announce the posting of examination results and certificates via this webpage.
Applicants who have not received their result three months after the examination date should contact the International and Professional Examinations Division of the HKEAA. Uncollected certificates will be destroyed 5 months after the issue of certificates. After that, requests for uncollected certificate will be regarded as applications for replacement of certificates and supplementary fees will be levied. If the request is accepted, HKEAA will have the right to use the then available blank certificate for reprinting. The HKEAA will not be held responsible for any possible loss, delay or damage in mail causing the need of requesting for replacement examination results statements and certificates. Applicants or candidates who wish to apply for replacement certificates must pay the fee in accordance with regulations.
Applicants who have not received their result three months after the examination date should contact the International and Professional Examinations Division of the HKEAA. Uncollected certificates will be destroyed 5 months after the issue of certificates. After that, requests for uncollected certificate will be regarded as applications for replacement of certificates and supplementary fees will be levied. If the request is accepted, HKEAA will have the right to use the then available blank certificate for reprinting. The HKEAA will not be held responsible for any possible loss, delay or damage in mail causing the need of requesting for replacement examination results statements and certificates. Applicants or candidates who wish to apply for replacement certificates must pay the fee in accordance with regulations.
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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