The editor’s view

Music exams formed an important part of my childhood (see Ed’s Letter, p3), but ten years ago, I challenged myself to learn the trumpet and take Grade 3 within a year, writing my experiences up for the Oct 2008 issue. Despite being in my midthirties, I was gripped by fear before the exam itself, but the examiner made me feel more at ease than they ever used to. Scales, aural tests, pieces, however, were (happily) as rigorous as ever, and my distinction felt hard-won.