The Maestro Online
Diploma Support
Prepare for Diploma examinations or scholarship applications, professional advanced tuition.
Not having studied music at university, and working full time, preparing for the FRCO paperwork was daunting!
Robin prepared me for Paper II. His wonderful blend of expertise and enthusiasm saw me through – crucially, by working through examples with me, he taught me how to use skills in harmonic analysis (from paper I) and historical awareness to analyse the set works for myself. His feedback on draft essays, tips for choosing quotes, and aural training were also invaluable.
I warmly commend him to you.
— Dr James Carpenter FRCO
Robin Harrison was a pleasure to study with in preparation for my FRCO written papers. As well as providing invaluable academic insight into the set works, Dr Harrison helped me refine my exam technique and structure my essays to achieve top marks. Thank you Robin!
— Francois Cloete FRCO
Robin taught me for FRCO Paper 2. His knowledge and expertise are second to none, not only in relation to the set works (Brahms) and Historical Studies (France 1920-2000) but also with regard to the Style and Period question. He was extremely helpful in citing numerous online and other texts/resources to aid further research within the relevant areas of study. As I had not studied music formally for over 30 years, he was also able to help me refine and improve not only the content and succinctness of my essay writing, but also my analytical skills, particularly regarding the Brahms set works.
His friendly and good humoured approach in the online sessions made them fun and engaging, enabling the seemingly daunting syllabus requirements to become achievable and ultimately leading to my pass in the recent FRCO Paper 2 examination. I would highly recommend Robin to others looking to embark on a similar journey!”
Simon – FRCO student
On a personal note, can I sincerely compliment you as a teacher. You have the gift of being able quickly to recognise both what a student needs to know and how they can personally achieve it. I’ve come across so many over the years (and not just in music) who seem to classify themselves as tutors because they know a lot about the subject and can tell a student what they’ve done wrong. That may or may not always be sufficient.
FRCO student
Aural Training Lessons, Theory Lessons and Musicianship Lessons
Enhance the inner ear, improve sight-reading, enable sight-singing and create an all-round musician.
Sample articles on advanced aural training can be found here:
Details about my article published by Routledge and how that connects to training the whole musician
Musicianship, Aural and Theory inspired by Kodály
Advanced Aural, Theory and Improvisation
Paperwork Lessons (Diploma, Undergraduate & Beyond)
Advanced Theory Lessons
Whether you need to complete harmonisations in a Sixteenth Century style, figured bass, a piece in the style of Bach, a Romantic era piano accompaniment or write a fugue, Robin will use practical techniques that enable you to ‘hear’, ‘feel’ and improvise exactly what you need. He has examined undergraduate end of year examinations for the Royal Northern College of Music and examined music diploma theory, history and analysis papers for the Royal College of Organists.
Analysis Lessons
Analysis lessons are one of Robin’s passions. Whether it be modern or traditional, you will find excitement in unravelling the detail!
Composition Lessons
Robin holds a Fellowship Diploma in Composition and offers composition lessons at all levels as well as examination support for GCSEs and A Levels.
Your Aural, Musicianship and Theory Teacher
Robin is a co-author for the Routledge Companion to Aural Skills Pedagogy: Before, In, and Beyond Higher Education (Routledge, March 19, 2021). He is Kodaly inspired and was on the Education Committee for the British Kodaly Academy. He has used relative solfege (the “Do-Re-Mi” system) extensively in workshops, masterclasses, individual and school teaching. The ultimate aim is to train the “inner ear” (the ability to hear music in your head and therefore perform it more musically).
