Top Score Music Academy Reviews

ronan maguire 2025.09.22

     

I was studying piano for years and had never even considered the ' Theory / Aural ' elements of music , other than learning some through the repertoire. An on- line class became available to me through the music academy l was with, and l was quite unsure of what to expect; would it be too difficult- what if l just don't understand it? ; would the tutor be interactive with us and would one feel comfortable to ask questions in front of the group?; would the class be interactive and fun ? I have to say Declan ' ticked ' all those boxes ! He was so nice , gave us all personal attention and was very attentive to any questions we had no matter how ' simple ' the question. The class was very much educational on our understanding of harmonies and chords , different rythms , and some great facts thrown in here and there about old time favourites from jazz to pop to classical ( from baroque to classical , romantic and modern ) litterally all types of music 🎶. Great fun and so informative. This class ' sparked ' my interest and love for the ' theory ' side of music which l would never had imagined possible beforehand. I decided to study the grade 3 / 4 ABRSM syllabus and Declan kindly offered to ' correct' my workbook on a weekly basis which l just emailed to him every week and he corrected all my work , giving me great guidance to at least know l was on the right train of thought / understanding. I went on to study the grade 5 ABRSM Theory and just got my results recently. I passed with Distinction. 3 years ago l would'nt have had the confidence to study the ABRSM Theory syllabus, not to mind achieving this mark. Many many thanks for all your tutoring and feedback Declan, and mostly, for initiating a love for Music theory that l probably wouldn't have discovered without your classes. Emma M

Useful Report

Dan Hull 2025.09.09

     

Declan's teaching is just excellent - my son did his GCSE in one year with him and passed with flying colours. His lessons are very thorough and well paced and the additional notes and other resources were so helpful for revision. I would highly recommend his services!

Useful Report

Aisling Gallagher 2025.09.08

     

My daughter studied GCSE music with Declan and achieved a Grade B. She found Declan to be very passionate about the subject, which was inspirational to her as a student. The resources he provided were first class and it was a very supportive environment in which to learn. As parents we were so happy with how at went that our second daughter has already signed up to study GCSE music with Declan too.

Useful Report

Kate Gormley 2025.09.01

     

My daughter wanted to do GCSE music but was only about Grade 3 standard at piano & was worried as other students in her school were much more accomplished on their instruments. I wasn't sure that remote teaching would work but I quickly realised that Declan had put a lot of time into developing a teaching method that works as well (if not better) than an in-person lesson. All we needed was an electric keyboard that could be hooked up to the internet and her iPad (Declan helped support us with setting everything up & advising what we needed to buy & download). I didn't buy a very expensive keyboard as we already had a piano and the little one we got worked fine. With Declan's help she was able to enjoy her two year course and got a good pass. He supported her with the performance pieces as well as her composition and ensemble. Declan is really patient and has an amazing suite of software tools to help with learning - this was particularly helpful for her as she has dyslexia and sometimes needs to approach schoolwork from a different angle. Her teaching in school was also very good but it was a large class and she would not have received the level of support with her composition etc that she got from Declan. Declan gave her the confidence to believe she could pass and 'hold her own' in a class of very talented musicians. She totally loved the music GCSE and although she is not keeping music on to A level it has hugely enhanced her understanding and enjoyment of music, which is, I think, a real gift for the rest of one's life.

Useful Report

Arun Bhat 2025.06.22

     

The music tutoring service has been excellent. I cannot thank Mr Plummer enough for all the help and resources he has given me throughout my A Level Music journey. He has boosted my confidence and grades in the exams and in the composition.

Useful Report

Alexander Hale 2024.09.01

     

Dr Declan Plummer is a highly skilled and extraordinarily gifted teacher of the theory, history, and practice of modern-day and classical music of many different genres and periods, who knows how to successfully convey his wide ranging knowledge of the theory of music to GCSE students and A Level Students alike from a variety of academic backgrounds. He explains difficult and demanding musical topics in a very clear, logical, way, and his Tutees generally achieve excellent academic results consistently year on year. He gives an Introductory Week of Musicology Tuition, free of charge, at the very outset, before the various GCSE and A Level Music courses begin. Not only does this help prepare prospective students for what is soon to come, it also helps to nicely inform students about their suitability for undertaking such academic musical studies. Overall, I was most satisfied with the GCSE musicology tuition provided by Dr Plummer, which led to my son being awarded the A* Grade in the Music GCSE within just one year of study. I can thus highly recommend Dr Plummer as an outstanding theory of Music teacher.

Useful Report

Cathy Loughrey 2024.08.29

     

Would highly recommend this GCSE course. Declan provides detailed, succinct and easily navigated resources online, which cover all areas of the set works. The class is held on zoom which gives great flexibility. My son thoroughly enjoyed the zoom class and there was great interaction/discussion between teacher and other pupils. Declan is very quick to reply to emails with any further queries and supplies plenty of past paper preparation along with marking and detailed feedback. We were mildly concerned initially about covering all GCSE content in only one year, but this was not a problem.

Useful Report

Telema Sotonye-Frank 2024.08.26

     

What was good about learning with Declan was that if you ever had any questions about stuff you didn't understand he was willing to stay behind and answer them or give extra help and provide resources.

Useful Report

Keefe Liu 2023.08.25

     

I’ve just collected my GCSE music results after only a year of lessons with Dr Plummer, and I’ve passed with flying colours. Initially, I was worried about how I would complete a course that typically takes 2 years in just one, but Dr Plummer made this experience a productive and enjoyable one. I’m soon going on to study A level music with him, and I’d definitely recommend his lessons to anyone looking for first class, innovative music teaching.

Useful Report

S Logan 2023.04.19

     

Declan Plummer is an exceptional music teacher. As well as having a wealth of knowledge to share with students he is kind and patient and gives generously of his time to explain areas of difficulty. Coming up to exams in GCSE or A level Declan runs extra classes to go through past papers and exam techniques. Declan is modest, approachable, incredibly dedicated and ever willing to help. He encourages and guides his students as much as possible. Could not recommend Declan highly enough.

Useful Report

Leona Coulter 2023.04.17

     

I can't speak highly enough of Declan's professionalism, enthusiasm and the quality of his teaching and GCSE resources. Matthew's GCSE course was entirely virtual because of Covid, but Declan ensured that everything was thoroughly covered and the time on Zoom went quickly. Matthew loved the composition module and was really well supported by Declan in this aspect as well. The mock performance at the Ulster College of Music was very helpful to calm nerves and prepare for the real thing. All in all, a brilliant experience. Thank you.

Useful Report

Joshua Coulter 2023.04.16

     

Declan was a great teacher for my GCSE music and got me through the exam with flying colours. Despite some worries at the start about personal feedback and assistance, Declan catered the lessons to ensure we all did well

Useful Report

Amanda Robinson 2023.04.13

     

My son and daughter studied GCSE music with Declan. He gave them an excellent foundation in theory and was always available when they needed to ask questions between classes. He went over and above what was expected of a teacher, showing great dedication. He has a wealth of experience and always made the classes so enjoyable. I could not recommend Declan highly enough. My children did GCSE music in one year and both achieved an A*. My daughter has gone on to study AS music with Declan.

Useful Report

Orla Hayward 2023.04.13

     

Excellent teaching with great attention to detail and extensive support material. I have no hesitation in recommending Declan as a teacher for the AS and A Level Music Course. Very good value for money.

Useful Report