Diploma in Public Performance (Dip.PP.AGM)

I remember mentioning that I intend to further my musical studies and pursue my Licentiate diploma under Trinity College London (I can do it in Malaysia) to obtain my LTCL title. Currently, I have my AMusA (Associate of Music, Australia) title and I believe it's not enough.

Besides doing well for my exams in university, I don't want to let me musical skills fade off. Therefore, I'm giving myself a challenge and another goal: to sit for the Diploma in Public Performance examination by Australian GUILD Music & Speech Examinations Board.

If I pass this diploma, I would obtain a Dip.PP.AGM title after my name. What's so special about this diploma? Well, it allows me to choose my pieces (there's no limit at all to the number of pieces I want to play) to perform for an hour. And best of all, I get to choose the venue for my examination. I can have it even in the Chancellor Hall of the university where I'm studying, provided that permission is granted to use the hall.

I have already prepared some of the following pieces for my Diploma in Public Performance:

1. Bach - Suite No. 2 in A minor (partially prepared)
   
2. Beethoven - "Pathetique" Sonata (played)
   
3. Chopin - "Revolutionary" Etude (played)
4. Rachmaninoff (Rakhmaninov) - Moment Musical Op. 16 No. 4 (new piece)
5. Moussorgsky - The Great Gate of Kiev & The Old Castle from Pictures at an Exhibition (partially prepared)
   
6. Debussy - Hommage a Rameau from Images I (played)

Another thing special about this exam is that I can include an orchestral performance to perform a song or two while I have my break after about half an hour of playing. Yes, it is like a real performance in the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, if you like. This examination requires me to have at least eight audience members in the hall.

This Diploma in Public Performance is equivalent to the Licentiate examination, with the exception that professionalism and showmanship is much emphasised.

Wish me luck!

P/S: My entry on my recent Beijing trip is about to be completed. Insert some pictures and the audio files inside and I'm ready to publish the entry here.