Some 117 students fromAnguillatook the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Practical Examinations this week.
The students were examined in Preparatory through to Grade 6 in Pianoforte and wind instruments over two very intensive days at the various music studios. The examinations were administered by Mrs. Brenda Dykes.
Brenda studied flute and piano at the Royal Academy of Music inLondon, gaining four diplomas and several prizes and commendations by the age of 19. After 5 years at the Academy, she studied for a year with Douglas Whittaker before embarking on a career as a flautist. For many years she played in duos with the pianist Terence Allbright, the harpsichordist Mary Potts and the guitarist Chris Kilvington.
She has given recitals atLondon’s Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room, and has played many times on BBC radio and television. She has appeared as soloist with orchestras all overBritain, most recently in the Concerto for Flute and Oboe by Salieri, and has given the first performance of a number of works written especially for her. In August 2006 she performed at the Esplanade Recital Studio,Singaporewith several local musicians, including the distinguished harpsichordist, Tien Yang.
Brenda currently plays regularly with the pianist, Robert Ferguson and also in a duo with the organist, Christopher Moore, with whom she released a CD of original works for flute and organ. In addition to performing, she also works as an examiner for the ABRSM and has for many years taught atAngliaRuskinUniversity,Cambridge, theLeysSchool,Cambridgeand the King’s School, Ely.
She is accompanied to Anguilla by her husband and is expected to leave the island to return to theUKon Saturday.
In a related development:
Glowing tribute has been paid to the late Music Teacher Mrs. Clorissa Nibbs who was laid to rest on Sunday. The Board was notified by its representative forAnguilla, Mrs. Daphne Jacobs Richardson of Mrs. Nibbs passing.
Within hours an email was sent by Mr. Luke Tillott, ABRSM International Operations Executive stating how sorry he was to hear of Clorissa’s death. He said “Mrs. Nibbs has been a committed advocate of ABRSM exams for so long, and her results indicated that she spent quality time in preparing her students with the required musical knowledge and skills for pianoforte exams. No doubt,” he added, “she will be sorely missed by all those that knew her.
The music fraternity inAnguillaechoes the same sentiments as ABRSM and would like the family to rest assured that Mrs. Nibbs is in a better place. During the said week when Mrs. Nibbs fell ill, she contacted Mrs. Jacobs Richardson to clarify the date and time when her candidates would sit the piano exams. She also indicated that she was not feeling well but was holding on by the Grace of God. This dedicated and hardworking music teacher was giving of her best to ensure that her students performed well, but the Lord had different plans. Her candidates were scheduled to sit their exams on Wednesday 16th May 2012.
On behalf of all music teachers, especially Mrs. Joycelynne Ashby who had a very close relationship with the deceased, Mrs. Jacobs Richardson states,
“Though her smile is gone forever, and her hands we cannot shake,
Her memory is our keepsake, with which we will never part.
God wrapped her in his loving arms and freed her from all pain.
Now her journey is finally ended, she will claim her great reward,
And find an everlasting peace, together with her Lord.”
Editor’s Notes
ABRSM (the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) is an internationally recognised educational body and charity that provides examinations in music. The organisation, which is based inLondon,UK, runs exams in centres all over the world. More than 620,000 candidates take ABRSM examinations each year in some 90 countries includingAnguilla.
– Press Release
