ABRSM
Music Medals:
London, , United Kingdom
Publisher: The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Date of Publication: 2004
Primary Genre: Study Material - etude
Secondary Genre: Study Material - method
Music Medals:
London, , United Kingdom
Publisher: The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Date of Publication: 2004
Primary Genre: Study Material - etude
Secondary Genre: Study Material - method
Music Medals is a series of books designed for group brass instruction with similar and mixed-ability students and appears to be primarily directed at musicians in the UK. Parts are available for all brass instruments in treble clef; therefore, bass clef players will have to transpose, although the supporting website indicates that bass clef versions are undergoing research. Five levels are indicated in order of difficulty: copper, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. For the purposes of this review the copper and gold collections were provided. While each medal focuses specifically on the appropriate ability level, copper includes the first two levels and gold includes the last three levels. Each score contains approximately 22 duets, trios, and quartets, which combine similar and different ability levels, and the combinations are clearly defined. It is possible to play each line as a solo. The pieces are arranged in ascending order of difficulty and parts needed, with the more difficult lines phased in through the bottom parts of the duet, trio, or quartet. This transition makes the series easy to use in the mixed-ability class setting and it is easy to monitor individual student’s progress. The covers of the scores are color-coded and make use of brilliant and appealing shades of each medal. Engaging titles include “Heavy Metal Brass,” “Pavane for a Sick Elephant,” and “Rain Dance.” Notable composers include Derek Bourgeois, Philip Sparke, and Nigel Scaife, who also appears as the syllabus principal in the cover. The music selections are quite good and fit comfortably into the assigned designations with regard to range, technique, and rhythmic difficulty. This series appears to be similar to the Standard of Excellence and Essential Elements presently available in the United States, with appropriate supporting solo/ensemble, curriculum, and music theory study. This is a wonderful resource to develop individual and ensemble skills in a beginning or intermediate brass class (or both!). -David Stern Lewiston, ME