Coming to the end of year 2024 is likened to the blink of an eye, it was fresh in my memory on how we began the year and how quickly we have come to the month of December. The year started with so many expectations and aspirations; and many of you as students of L & J never ceases to amaze me and the teachers with your enormous potential.

Solace of Papan (Debut)

I could recall writing about a coming massive opera project along with the concert spearheaded by both composer Mr. Lam (our beloved principal) and librettist Mr. Chin San Sooi titled “Solace of Papan” in the annual newsletter for the year prior to this; it was brought to reality, and debut in the month of July 2024. Many of our string students who are also members of the P.J. Philharmonic Orchestra contributed much to the success of this original orchestral opera performance and, there were even some who acted in the stage play. That concert was truly a mark in the history of Malaysia, having the very first debut of a locally composed orchestral opera with many of the names of our students were recorded, leaving it as a footprint in that concert. Your performance and effort had invigorated many young musicians and even brought life to the Malaysian theatrical arena.

2024 Music Recital

In the mid of 2024, L & J had also organized a focused recital, featuring works from some of the greatest composers through the centuries, performed by our advanced/diploma students. It was a concert to display technical proficiency, interpretation and focal aptitude while bringing about the marvelous works of those composers to today’s audience.

Let's Discuss Music Diploma

In L & J, Grade 8 is just the prelude, and the diploma is where the students are introduced to a wide spectrum of beautiful and challenging repertoires, where playing the song and knowing the composer and the name of the piece qualifies a person to be a classical musician.

Many students and parents are curious about Music Diplomas, how these programmes are structured and how a student is qualified. In this year’s newsletter, we’ll demystify the topic of music diplomas, which is a very wonderful and rewarding journey to those who pursues it.

So, what is the difference between a Music Degree and a Diploma? In simple words, a degree is awarded by a recognized University, and a diploma is awarded by an Educational Institution. Generally, music degree programs require students not only to be proficient in playing the instrument of their choice, but to also be equipped with knowledge of music theory, score writing, composition, arrangement, history, interpretation and many other subjects relating to the art of performing, teaching, even the business knowledge of the industry. Whereas the diploma programs focus a lot on the art of performing.

The diploma qualifications generally comprise of 3 levels: The ‘A’ – Associate, the ‘L’ – Licentiate, and the ‘F’ – Fellowship; where ‘A’ is usually equivalent to the standard of a 1st year music undergraduate, the ‘L’ is usually equivalent to the standard of a final year music undergraduate, and the ‘F’ is usually equivalent to the standard of a postgraduate. The diploma students are largely exposed to myriads of songs from (not limited to) partitas, sonatas, to concertos, nocturnes or liebesträumes.

The ‘A’ remains the most popular among the students of L & J. When the student is exposed to a wide palette of repertoire, there come elements of curiosity, drive and challenge, which encourages the student to further develop skills, interpretation and understanding of classical music in leaps and bounds.

What is the appropriate age of a student when attempting the diploma? And is it only for those who aspire to peruse a career in music performing or education? To enjoy the benefits of the diploma programme, a student requires maturity and, of course, the skill at least of the Grade 8 standard to be part of this exciting program. Most of those students who are in the diploma program are at least age 18 and above; and no, you don’t have to be in the music career to get a diploma. In fact, many of the students who participated the diploma program are usually in the midst of tertiarily education, majoring in computer/data science, finance, business studies and other professional undergraduate studies; some are just about to graduate high school.

What about the exam board/institution for diplomas? In the Klang Valley, diplomas from Trinity College London (TCL), ABRSM remain the popular choices for music diplomas. London College of Music (LCM) is also one of those recognized body and they are more popular in the East Malaysia region. Traditionally, L & J largely prepares and equips students for the diploma exams according to the Trinity College London syllabus. However, beginning year 2024, ABRSM offered a very interesting range of diploma structures, where the format of exam is very appealing to the current generation of our times. ABRSM have revamped the entire diploma stack and even giving them new names e.g. ARSM, LRSM and FRSM. ABRSM did a great job in making these diplomas welcoming and approachable for musicians who desire to obtain a higher benchmark for themselves.

Hopefully, this writeup gives you a better idea on what is available in the classical music academic space. Like all things in life, pursuing these diplomas require hard work, learnability, maturity, persistent and consistency – upon achieving, it is highly rewarding and recognized internationally in the field of the classical music domain. Grade 8 is never the end. It is just the prelude to a richer and more colorful domain in music.

Before I sign off, I would like to congratulate those who passed their exams this year be it practical or theory, especially so for those who are already in the career of your expertise, but never stopped learning and pursuing higher heights, you are a true example for all the young people in our school.

On behalf of L & J, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Joyful and productive New Year ahead. Do travel safe and will see you next year. Cheers.

Cordially,
Max Lam
Head of Operations