P.B.E.S™ Level upgrading

All courses offered by PBE (which are in conjunction with P.B.E.S™) are either for strictly leisure based, academic or both. Newly enrolled students will be assigned to either Level 1, 2, or 3 upon registration. Along the course, there are three upgrading procedures – P.B.E.S™ casual evaluation, P.B.E.S™ assessments & P.B.E.S™ examinations


P.B.E.S™ CASUAL EVALUATION


P.B.E.S™ casual evaluation – The evaluation will be conducted by the student’s assigned PBE instructor during any period (after the minimum level duration) within the course to determine if the student is ready for the next level. The student does not need to ‘pass’ the current level to be officially upgraded to the next P.B.E.S™ level. The instructor will perform the necessary check-list to ensure that the student has studied and learn at least 85% of all subjects and be able to implement at least 50% of all improvisation techniques within the current level. The P.B.E.S™ casual evaluation is perfect for students who prefer the course to be completely leisure based with no examinations or any form of point grading system. The pace of instruction caters to the learning needs of each individual student to ensure adequate coverage of the syllabus. To conduct the P.B.E.S.™ CE (casual evaluation), your instructor will sign the CE form and either submit on behalf of the student OR present to the student to be submitted individually to the administrative office. The subsequent P.B.E.S™ student textbook and other relevant materials will be provided to the student upon giving the CE form. There will be no certifications offered to the student for P.B.E.S™ casual evaluation. Should students opt for certifications, they should consider either the P.B.E.S™ assessment or the P.B.E.S™ graded examinations.

The P.B.E.S™ casual evaluation is only available for students of Play by Ear Music School and not for the members of the public.



P.B.E.S™ ASSESSMENTS


P.B.E.S™ assessment – The assessment will be conducted by a different PBE instructor during any period (after the minimum level duration) within the course. The student will be assessed on the following elements:

Scoring
30 marks Song pieces
30 marks Contemporary music theory
10 marks Aural test
25 marks Improvisation
5 marks Sight reading of fake sheets

Duration of P.B.E.S™  assessment: 20mins

To conduct the P.B.E.S™ assessment, the student will require to book an assessment date with the administrative office using a accumulated valid. makeup lesson. Should the student has no makeup lesson credits, the student can choose to postpone any regular weekly lesson in replacement for the assessment. During the assessment, the instructor (tester) will assess the candidate based on the requirements and give a score. The instructor will provide the assessment form to the administrative office. Upon satisfactory competition of the assessment, an official certificate (mailed within 60 days), together with the subsequent P.B.E.S™ student textbook and other relevant materials will accompany the student’s graduation from the current level and promotion to the next level. The P.B.E.S™ assessment is only available for students of Play by Ear Music School and not for the members of the public.


P.B.E.S™ GRADED EXAMINATIONS


P.B.E.S™ graded examinations – The examinations will be conducted by an official graded examiner. There are 2 sessions within a calendar year which usually falls on June and Dec. Registration starts on Apr and Oct respectively. The candidate will be examined on the following elements:

Scoring
65 marks Improvisation
5 marks Sight reading of fake sheets
30 marks Aural test

Duration of P.B.E.S™  examination: 25mins
To pass, a minimum of 65 marks is required.
To conduct the P.B.E.S™ graded examination, the student will require to book an exam date with the administrative office. During the examinations, the examiner will assess the candidate based on the requirements and give a score. The result will only be revealed after 5 working days. An official score form together with the official certificate (should the candidate pass the exams) will be presented to the candidate within 60 days via mail. The P.B.E.S™ graded examinations is available for students of Play by Ear Music School and for the members of the public.