Fifteen Francis Patton Primary School music students have passed their music theory exams.

Their music teacher Mandy Oatley-Wells said the students were in Primary five and six and they took their Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Grade 1 theory exam.

"Out of the 15, 13 students passed with at least 66 out of 100 percent," she said.

"Of these 13, four passed with merit scoring between 80 out of 100 percent and one passed with distinction."

Ms Oatley-Wells said this was an extra-curricular activity that the students chose to participate in.

"The majority of the preparation time was at lunch hour and the students even came in for a morning during their half-term break," she said.

"The students had to memorise music terminology, compose rhythm patterns and write scales.

"Many of the students were asking when they could take Grade 2. What joy that was to a teachers ears! I feel that this is a huge accomplishment for them and one that they should feel very proud.

"This is an internationally recognised exam board held in the highest regards."

The students who took the exam were: Asia Smith, ten, who passed with distinction; Daraki White, ten, Chantae Hollis, 11, Keith Trott, nine, and Shaquille Smith, 11, all received merit awards.

Shomari Warner, ten, Chantal Stowe, ten, Beth MacLennan, ten, who now lives in England, Ashley Riley, nine, Deken Saunders, ten, Courtney Simons, ten, Kyrah Brown-Pontes, 11, and Tonya Robinson, 11, all passed the exam.

Piano player Courtney said when she was studying for the music theory exams she had a few challenges.

"I had theory class in the morning, sometimes at lunch and at the half-term break," she said.

"I had a lot of homework to do and I got the chickenpox after we started studying for this exam and had to miss some classes, but I was still studying at home in bed."

She said during the exam she had to answer ten questions that had several parts to each of them.

"I had to know the degrees and the scale, time signatures, what music words meant and tonic triads," said the former recorder player.

"I scored 76 out of 100 percent and I would like to do Grade 2 theory. I've already got the book!"

She said the theory has enhanced some parts of her piano playing.

"Some of the new things I am just getting on to in piano, I have already learned about in theory," said Courtney, who has been playing the piano for four years.

Courtney added that she would like to play piano professionally one day.

"I practice every other day and I have my piano lesson on Saturdays," she said.

"I play at concerts where all the students play on their own to show what they have learned. I'm always happy because I like playing music."