Music Exams
Music exams are entirely optional for students. For those wishing to take them, there are a variety of options.
Jennifer is a theory examiner for the two largest music examination boards, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and Trinity College London, and all her students have a 100% pass rate.
Examination Boards
ABRSM: Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
ABRSM is the UK's largest music education body, one of its largest music publishers and the world's leading provider of music exams, holding over 650,000 assessments in more than 90 countries every year. The board offer three types of assessments: practical grades, performance grades and online and paper-based music theory exams.
Trinity College London is a leading international exam board and independent education charity that has been providing assessments around the world since 1877. With over 850,000 candidates a year in more than 60 countries worldwide, Trinity qualifications are specifically designed to help students progress.
Choice of Exams
Prep Test
The Prep Test is designed to be as relaxed and fun as possible. No marks are awarded and there is no pass or fail. At the end of the assessment, every candidate is rewarded with a certificate which includes positive and helpful comments from the examiner. The Prep Test is designed both to provide a first assessment for pupils and to encourage the building of good musical and technical foundations before pupils enter for graded exams.
Students will prepare:
Tunes/exercises
Set piece/song
Own choice piece/song (about 16 to 24 bars)
Listening games/simple aural tests
Practical Grades
Practical exams are available at Grades 1 to 8, as well as a pre-Grade 1 Initial Grade for some subjects.
Students will prepare:
Three pieces
Scales and arpeggios
Sight-reading
Aural tests
Practical Grades
Available at Grades 1 to 8, this 100% assessed from recordings exam is all about performance. Students will prepare four pieces.
Theory Exams
Music Theory exams aim to give students a thorough understanding of the building blocks of music, starting with the basics of rhythm and notes, and going on to cover harmony and counterpoint, composition, and a broad knowledge of western music, including composers and their works, structure, style and period. For students taking ABRSM Practical and Performance Grades, Grade 5 theory is a prerequisite for entry to Practical and Performance Grades 6–8.
Diplomas
Whether you want to pursue a career in music, are currently working as a professional and wish to broaden your qualifications, or are purely after the satisfaction of achieving a personal goal, the Diplomas in Music Performance provide opportunities for musicians above Grade 8 to gain recognition for their performance skills, knowledge and understanding at an advanced level.
There are three diplomas:
ARSM (Associate of the Royal Schools of Music)
LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music)
FRSM (Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music)
The first diploma, ARSM, provides an opportunity for learners beyond Grade 8 to create and perform an extended programme of music and demonstrate their performance skills. Students can choose from taking a face-to-face exam or a digital exam assessed from a video recording.
The LRSM and FRSM provide an opportunity to create a performance that has a real sense of occasion. Students give a digitally assessed recital in a performance venue of their choice.
Accompanists
Accompanists are provided for students wishing to take exams.