BOTH ordinary and higher level Leaving Cert music papers were the most straightforward in years, according to Ms Louise O'Connell, the president of the Post Primary Music Teachers Association.

They were well within the spirit of the interim agreement, she said. "The 25 per cent extra pupils taking the Leaving Certificate this year should have been very well pleased," Ms O'Connell added.

This sanguine view was echoed by Ms Veronica O'Sullivan, ASTI subject representative and a teacher in the Ursuline Convent, Waterford. "We're very happy to report a very positive response from teachers and students to both the ordinary and higher level papers," she said.

"There was lots of choice," Ms O'Sullivan continued. "The language and layout of the questions was extremely clear. A lot of teachers felt this should encourage a very good response and uptake of the new syllabus," she said. The new syllabus will be introduced next September.

Students who have done the Leaving Cent exam this year should bring out a very positive message, she concluded.

There were only two minor quibbles with questions 1(a) and question 2 on the higher level paper. "It's nice to go out on a high note," Ms O'Sullivan said.