Syllabus updates
Bowed Strings syllabuses from 2024
Key dates
- 8 June 2023: Online publication of Bowed Strings syllabuses (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) from 2024 (Practical Grades and Performance Grades)
- 8 June 2023: A series of print publications available for string instruments
- Violin Exam Pieces (Grades 1 to 8) – available in editions with or without download codes for audio recordings of all pieces in the books
- Cello Exam Pieces (Grades 1 to 5) - available in editions with or without download codes for audio recordings of all pieces in the books
- Initial Grade Exam Packs for Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass
- 8 June 2023: audio downloads of Violin and Cello Exam Pieces from 2024 available in Violin Practice Partner and Cello Practice Partner as in-app purchases
- Violin Mix: publishing 6 April. Viola Mix: publishing autumn 2023.
- 1 January 2024: Bowed Strings syllabuses from 2024 come into effect
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What’s new
Refreshed repertoire lists for all string instruments, featuring a wide breadth of music and composers
Violin:
- Repertoire extended to 39 pieces per grade
- 70% of the 2020-2023 repertoire retained (21 pieces per grade)
- the content of Violin Exam Pieces fully replaced (9 pieces per grade, Grades 1 to 8)
- new Exam Pack for Initial Grade
Cello:
- Repertoire extended to 39 pieces per grade
- Grades Initial to 5: 70% of the 2020-2023 repertoire retained (21 pieces per grade)
- Grades 6 to 8: all pieces from 2020-2023 syllabus retained
- the content of Cello Exam Pieces fully replaced (9 pieces per grade, Grades 1 to 5)
- new Exam Pack for Initial Grade
Viola and Double Bass:
- new Exam Packs for Initial Grades
- repertoire extended with greater breadth of composers
- the majority of the 2020-2023 Grades 1 to 8 repertoire retained
Validity of syllabuses
Bowed Strings syllabuses from 2024 come into effect on 1 January 2024. This means that:
- candidates can begin to present pieces from the new lists;
- candidates can continue to present pieces from the 2020-2023 syllabus lists during the overlap period (see below).
For Practical Grades, the scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural-test requirements remain the same as for the 2020-2023 syllabus.
Syllabus overlap
For candidates wishing to present pieces from the 2020-2023 syllabus lists, a one-year overlap period (up to 31 December 2024) applies in all countries. All three set pieces must be prepared from the same syllabus.
Brass syllabus from 2023
Key dates
- 2 September 2022: Online publication of Brass syllabus from 2023 (Practical Grades and Performance Grades)
- 8 September 2022: Print publications available for all brass instruments:
- SCALES & ARPEGGIOS for all instruments
- SPECIMEN SIGHT READING TESTS for all instruments
- 8 September 2022: Print publications available for all brass instruments:
- BRASS MIX: Includes a selection of Grade 1 to 5 exam pieces (accompaniments available separately).
- 1 January 2023: Brass Syllabus from 2023 comes into effect.
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What’s new?
- Refreshed repertoire lists and (for Practical Grades) scales and sight-reading requirements for all instruments and grade
- Repertoire
- more choice than before, with most instrument lists extended to ten pieces (30 pieces in total per grade)
- new repertoire combined with some of the most popular pieces retained from the previous syllabus
- duet option included in the lists for the first time - up to Grade 3
- revised list structure
- lists defined by musical characteristics rather than accompanied / solo and period of composition
- playing unaccompanied no longer a requirement, but is now optional
- focus on group teaching of mixed-instrument repertoire, with multiple pieces set across the Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, E Flat Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium and Tuba lists at Grades 1 to 5.
- Scales [Practical Grades only]
- a more realistic and manageable assessment load, with a focus on technical development and progression
- Sight-reading [Practical Grades only]
- revised parameters, such as keys, ranges and lengths to help strengthen progression routes.
- new tests written in a range of familiar and accessible styles
- for Horn and Trumpet, a new-style test at Grades 6 to 8 that combines the testing of sight-reading and transposing-at-sight into a single test
Syllabus validity
Brass syllabuses from 2023 come into effect on 1 January 2023. This means that:
- for Performance Grades
- candidates can begin to present the pieces from the new lists
- candidates can continue to present the pieces from the preceding syllabus lists during the overlap period (see below)
- for Practical Grades
- candidates can begin to present the pieces and scales and sight-reading from the new 2023 syllabus
- candidates can continue to present the pieces and scales and sight-reading from the syllabus during the overlap period (see below)
- the aural-tests remain unchanged
Syllabus overlap
For candidates wishing to present requirements from the preceding syllabus, a one-year overlap period (up to 31 December 2023) applies in all countries.
All exam requirements must be prepared from the same syllabus.
- for Performance Grades, this means all three set pieces;
- for Practical Grades, this means all three set pieces and scales and sight-reading.
For Practical Grades, candidates must be prepared to tell the examiner which syllabus they have prepared.
Piano syllabuses 2023 & 2024
Key dates
- 9 June 2022: Online publication of both Piano 2023 & 2024 syllabuses (Practical Grades and Performance Grades)
- 9 June 2022: Print publication of Piano Exam Pieces (Initial Grade to Grade 8) – with or without download codes for audio recordings of all pieces for the grade. Print publication of Teaching Notes on Piano Exam Pieces. Publication of a selection of set pieces as digital sheet music downloads.
- 1 January 2023: Piano 2023 & 2024 syllabuses come into effect
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What’s new
- Refreshed repertoire lists at all grades
- 70% of the 2021 & 2022 repertoire retained (21 pieces per grade)
- the contents of Piano Exam Pieces fully replaced (9 pieces per grade)
- a further 9 new pieces added per grade
- Greater choice of repertoire than before, with the lists extended to 13 pieces (39 pieces in total per grade) and with music by a more diverse range of composers featured
Validity of syllabuses
Piano 2023 & 2024 Practical and Performance syllabuses come into effect on 1 January 2023. This means that:
- candidates can begin to present pieces from the new lists;
- candidates can continue to present pieces from the 2021 & 2022 syllabus lists during the overlap period (see below).
For Practical Grades, the scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural-test requirements remain exactly the same as for the 2021 & 2022 syllabus.
Syllabus overlap
For candidates wishing to present pieces from the 2021 & 2022 syllabus lists, a one-year overlap period (up to 31 December 2023) applies in all countries. All three set pieces must be prepared from the same syllabus.
- Refreshed repertoire lists at all grades