LCME Live Online Exams: recording guidelines

Recorded exams guidelines +

Live Online exams guidelines +

General & ID

All work submitted must be the candidate’s own. The entire performance must be performed by the candidate who is entered for the exam. Impersonation by another performer or use of a recording not made by the candidate will result in the examination entry being disallowed and may lead to further sanctions. Where our examiners doubt the authenticity of candidate work submitted for assessment, this will be investigated, and appropriate action taken.
The Candidate ID must be emailed with copies of the music to be performed. If the candidate does not have photo ID a responsible adult may verify the candidate by emailing their own ID.

Music published with an accompaniment must be performed with the accompaniment. This must be provided live with a pianist.
The accompanist does not need to be in full shot during the filming of the performance but must make themselves known to the examiner at the start of the exam.
You must email copies of the printed music. If we do not receive this, it may result in your examination being referred and the issue of the result being delayed. The original copies of the music must be shown to the examiner at the start of the exam.
Candidates must remove from their visibility any books containing technical work notation before they begin this component
Digital pianos are not permitted for Diploma exams.

Ensure your filming room is quiet, free from interruptions and devices are on silent mode (including the one you are using to film).
Ensure that the filming device has been checked for sufficient battery or is connected to a power source before the exam commences.
A laptop or tablet is sufficient for the exam. You will have already executed a connectivity test with LCME the day before your diploma exam.

When setting up Zoom, please ensure you have downloaded the App. You do not need to purchase an account. Using a separate USB condenser microphone rather than your computer’s on-board microphone will improve sound quality.
To select the USB mic, go to ‘Settings’ in the Zoom main menu. Click on the ‘Audio’ tab to open the audio settings. Click on ‘microphone’ and select yours from the drop-down menu. Under the microphone section, deselect ‘Automatically Adjust Microphone Volume’. Next click on the ‘Advanced’ tab and select ‘Show in-meeting option to Enable Original Sound from Microphone’. Then select ‘High-Fidelity music mode’.

The candidate must be in shot all the time, and their face, hands and whole instrument (piano keyboard only) must be clearly visible.
Piano and Drum Kit exams should be filmed from the side to allow an uninterrupted view of the whole performance.
Light levels and direction should be tested before the exam to ensure that the candidate is clearly visible on screen, and not in silhouette. The filming device and microphone should be positioned to ensure a good sound balance between the candidate and the accompanist.