A Music’All Guide to Grade Exams Making the Grade A Music’All Guide to Grade Exams

What is a grade exam? An accredited music exam conducted by an internationally recognized organisation i.e. ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), TCM (Trinity College of Music) or LCM (London College of Music)

Grade exams at Music’all ABRSM/Trinity College Practical exams Prepared with the instrument teacher during the lessons ABRSM Grade 5 Theory Prepared in the Grade 5 theory class as part of a group

Practical exams

Practical exams - Levels Pre- Grade 1: Medals/Prep Test (ABRSM) or Initial (Trinity) Grades 1-3 = Foundation level Grades 4-5 = Intermediate level Grades 6-8 = Advanced level (contribute to UCAS tariff for university entrance) Post grade 8 = ABRSM ARSM and Diplomas / Trinity Diplomas

The Exam £35 Prep Test- £88 Grade 8 3 exam sessions per year - Nov/Dec - Feb/Mar - June/July. Last date for applications usually two months before – announced in newsletter Music’All does admin, provides ABRSM private venue at a fixed date, organises accompanist where needed. Trinity candidates need to go to a centre.

Overview – ABRSM mark schemes ABRSM Practical Exam 4 sections Exam is marked out of 150 Pass=100<120 Merit=120<130 Distinction= >130 Pieces (3) List A. Baroque/Classical List B. Jazz/Romantic/XXth century List C. Study Each marked out of 30 II. Scales & arpeggios – from memory, according to syllabus specifications (tempo/articulations, etc…) Marked out of 21 III. Sight-reading – unseen piece, 30 secs to prepare. IV. Aural Tests - requirements change according to level. Tests aural awareness skills and musical ear. Designed to establish links between listening and playing music. Marked out of 18

Overview – Trinity mark scheme Trinity Practical Exam 3 sections Exam is marked out of 100 Pass=60<80 Merit=75<90 Distinction= >87 Pieces (3) 2 from list A (all styles) and 1 from list C (study) Each marked out of 22 II. Technical work (Scales or Exercises or Orchestral Excerpts) Marked out of 14 III. Sight-reading or Improvisation or Aural Tests or Musical knowledge (with sight reading compulsory from grade 6) Two tests to choose - each marked out of 10

Differences Trinity/ABRSM ABRSM is probably a more common option Similar standard but the mark scheme and contents are different. Trinity exams are more performance oriented and some elements of the exams can be selected Examiners are always pianists but not necessarily specialists of the instrument examined. This can be requested with Trinity however if the exam takes place at their main centre

Tips How to create a programme: Listen to as many of the pieces as possible (Spotify/YouTube/ABRSM CD). Aim = inspiring programme that makes the student want to practise his/her instrument! Good balance of tempi, keys, moods. Programme with variety and contrasts - think of it as a concert programme Each list offers 6 pieces (G8 more), but only 3 from each list are featured in ‘Selected Exam Pieces’. These are inevitably the ones that are most-played in exams Practice everything as often as possible: Including scales, aural tests, and sight-reading (not just the pieces!)

Tips Use published resources to prepare Check syllabus requirements Specimen sight-reading tests and other sight-reading books Aural test apps online Scales CDs, apps Pieces recordings Check syllabus requirements Make sure your child uses the current UK syllabus Scales & Arpeggios: specific tempo and articulations Aural Tests: be familiar with order of exercises and requirements Sight-reading: a Pass is ensured if the candidate keeps going whatever happens

Tips Get ready Be well-prepared! Remember that performance nerves will affect your child’s performance so they have to really know the music inside-out! We also encourage all students to book one (or several) Performance Platform slot(s) with us Performances at home

ABRSM Practical exam - Apps/Ressources Available on https://gb.abrsm.org/en/exam- support/practice-tools-and-applications/ For all Aural Tests Trainer (for grade 1-8) Speed shifter (for all) For Piano and/or Violin students Sight-reading Trainer (for piano up to grade 5) Scales Trainer (for piano/violin up to grade 5)

The Big Day Warm-up time on the day - at home, and at venue. Arrive in good time to avoid last minute panics Check your child has all the music, piano accompaniment score - and their instrument! - before leaving home Eat a banana and a biscuit! Nerves – are part of the experience! Try breathing exercises, stretching Make sure they check tuning with teacher/accompanist before beginning exam

Decide on performance order and tell examiner titles and composers before playing. Exam duration G1 = 12 mins, G8 = 30 mins. Experience can be anti-climactic after all the prep - short, and examiner, although friendly, has to be very efficient and get through exam, and write comments down.

Theory exams

Theory exams - Levels Available From Grade 1 to Grade 8 with ABRSM and Trinity Music’all prepares for the ABRSM grade 5 theory as it is a requirement to have passed it in order to progress to ABRSM Grade 6-8 practical. Trinity doesn’t have a similar requirement.

Grade 5 ABRSM Theory- Preparation Programme is very dense – talk to the teacher if your child misses any lesson in order to know how to catch-up Regular homework is given to support the progress – please ensure your child is regularly working at home Mock exams are organised during the classes Additional support is available if required

Grade 5 Theory- Exam registration Three exam sessions per year: November/March/June. Music’all usually enters the candidates for the June session The Grade 5 teacher advises the students/families if the student is ready or not to take the exam in June prior to the registration deadline It is frequent for the students to need extra preparation time and to take the exam in November or March the following year – it is important to feel ready and confident to pass the exam and not to rush it

Grade 5 Theory- Exam Two hours long written exam on a fixed date in a centre in Wimbledon The exam is marked out of 100. Pass is at 66, Merit at 80 and Distinction at 90 Results are released 6 weeks after the exam A student who fails the exam can try again at the next session, and Music’all can organise specific support if needs be

Why do grade exams? Enjoyment through achievement Motivation: working through a structure syllabus to a goal and a deadline Measure progress against benchmark Assessment by independent, professional examiner/musician Performance opportunity Certain grades represent valuable educational (and professional) qualification

...Why not? doesn’t suit every child children already face tests, exams etc in everyday school audition nature of exam can be an artificial and stressful experience a negative experience of exam or ‘bad’ results can put child off music rigid structure of repertoire/exams can be inhibiting long quote about music in book

A balanced approach No need to do every consecutive grade exam Focus on grades which represent significant milestones, or might help with entry to a school or music group. Teachers will also have view on important grades for specific instruments. Time out from grades essential: other repertoire, performance and ensemble experience Use syllabus as guideline for development and assessment of essential skills - scales, arpeggios, aural skills, sight-reading

Parental Support Communicate with teachers about your child’s suitability for grades, understand the time horizons, how will grade exam fit in with your child’s commitments. Double check what’s on the grade programme and often check practice and progress with your child Play pieces on syllabus at home - or other pieces by composers - will really help them engage with the music.

Practice support - read practice notebook, check right balance of different elements of exam. Nothing should be left to the last minute. Talk to teacher - give practice feedback, concerns, etc. Give your child performance opportunities at home - little recitals for relatives or friends, so they get used to performance. Make sure they always tell listeners what they are playing and who it’s by. Plenty of praise and encouragement!

Conclusion As a school we believe our students should be entered for grade exams (at least once or twice) during their time with us, for all the reasons outlined - motivation, benchmarking, skillset. But exams are NOT for everyone. Consult with teacher (and staff) if in any doubt. If you and your child decide to enter for exam, be involved and engaged and make sure your child is fully prepared. No point entering exam and not giving it very best shot.