of examinations, The Royal Gazette can report.

Marlene Campbell, a music teacher who is adjudicating the exams in her home, told The Royal Gazette that this year the record number of students are taking the exams of the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Canadian version of the British based Associated Board examinations, "Five years ago when it first started in Bermuda, we had about 30 students,'' she said.

She attributed the growth in interest in the examinations to the fact that they are internationally recognised standards and are flexible and cater to very young students.

Students as young as six are taking the exams, she said. The oldest is 16-year-old Machel Charles, the first Bermuda student to take the History of Music exam.

Another first this year, said Ms Campbell, is the introductory level examination, an ungraded exam that allows young children to enter the programme earlier.