abrsmintro04

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Motivating

musicalachievementWelcome to ABRSM



Contents

2 Welcome to ABRSM

4 Exams & assessments

16 Publications

18 Professional development

19 Further information

Welcome to ABRSM

Music is at the heart of our work. We are here to supportand encourage music learning throughout the world so thateveryone can share in its power.

We motivate musical achievement through our authoritativeassessment of students, the professional development of theirteachers, and a wide range of published resources. We alsoactively support music education through funding and advocacy.

ABRSM is the leading authority on musicalassessment. By delivering our examsrigorously and consistently we set theworldwide gold standard, with over 600,000people, in over 90 countries, choosing totake them every year.

As part of our commitment to excellence inmusic education, we provide a rich resourceof materials, from albums of repertoire forthe earliest stages of learning to scholarlyeditions of the great composers. Our onlinepresence includes SoundJunction, ouraward-winning site for music learners.

We know that good teachers endeavourto enhance their professional skills. Wesupport their continuing professionaldevelopment through our innovative coursesand online learning resources.

To build on our 120 years inspiringgenerations of musicians, we providecharitable donations, scholarships andsponsorships, as well as acting as anadvocate for music education. We do allwe can to give music a voice in public lifebecause we believe it has the power tochange people’s lives.

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This booklet aims to give you an overviewof all our activities. You can explore in moredetail at www.abrsm.org.

ABRSM has the authority of fourof the UK’s leading conservatoires:

n Royal Academy of Music, London

nRoyal College of Music, London

nRoyal Northern College of Music,Manchester

nRoyal Scottish Academy ofMusic & Drama, Glasgow

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Since 1889, we have provided music teachers and their studentswith exams and assessments that nurture and evaluate anindividual’s performance and progress. As the world’s largestand leading specialist in music assessment, our consistent andrigorous approach carries recognised international authority.

Exams andassessments

n Prep Test

n Grades 1–8

n Diplomas

n Music Medals

n Performance Assessment

n Ensembles

Motivation and encouragement We have designed our exams and assessments to motivate students of all levelsand ages, giving them a series of realistic goals and tangible rewards for theirachievements.

Exam syllabuses are not intended to provide a complete curriculum. Students areencouraged to play and experience as much music as possible, embracing a widerange of genres.

Beginners and upwards We want to bring the power of music to all age groups and every level of ability.

Many students will start wi th the Prep Test and then work through all the gradesfrom 1 to 8, but we do not impose a set pattern. A student may begin with the gradethat best suits their ability – and it does not matter if a grade is ‘missed out’.

For people to get the richest experience from performing music, we believe that athorough knowledge and understanding of the elements of music is essential. So,before moving on to a practical exam at Grade 6, 7 or 8, a student must rst passGrade 5 (or above) in Theory of Music, Practical Musicianship or a solo Jazz subject.These have in common a level of musical understanding which acts as a solidfoundation for further development as a musician.

Certicates and mark formsAll successful exam candidatesreceive a certicate to mark their

achievement. Practical graded examcandidates also receive a mark form,written by the examiner during theexam. Theory candidates receive aform listing the marks awarded toeach question.

We provide the mark form to giveteachers, candidates and parents aclear, consistent and fair indicationof the strengths and weaknesses ineach part of the exam.

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Our exams and assessments

Prep Test The Prep Test is designed for students who have been learning an instrument for aboutsix to nine months. Working towards this early goal encourages the development of goodtechnique and sound musicianship. It is also an ideal introduction to the experience oftaking an exam.

We have developed the Prep Test to be as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. No marksare awarded and there is no pass or fail. At the end of the assessment every candidate isrewarded with a certicate which includes positive and helpful comments from the examiner.

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Let’s take a closer look at the exams and assessments we offer.

Grades 1–8 Each of the eight graded exams representsa logical step in the musical developmentof a student.

Graded exams are available for:

n Piano, Jazz Piano*

n Harpsichord

n Organ

n Violin

n Viola

n Cello

n Double Bass

n Guitar

n Harp

n

Recordern Flute, Jazz Flute*

n Oboe

n Clarinet,Jazz Clarinet*

n Bassoon

n Saxophone,Jazz Sax*

Grades 1–8: Instrumental and singing exams Practical syllabuses are available in over 35 subjects, from Piano to Percussion, andfrom Harpsichord to Horn. There is a separate Jazz syllabus for Flute, Clarinet, Sax,Trumpet, Trombone, Piano and Ensembles.

Pieces for each syllabus have been carefully selected to provide maximum choice whilstcovering the key skills necessary at a particular level. Our aim is to inspire teachers andstudents by giving them the widest possible variety of repertoire.

Practical exams have four sections, giving candidates the opportunity to demonstratetheir skills through prepared work and musicianship tests:

n

Set pieces/songsn Scales and arpeggios/

broken chords, or, for singers,an unaccompanied folk song

n Sight-reading or quick study

n Aural tests

Grades 1–8: Theory of Music andPractical Musicianship exams We aim to encourage an educationin music that is as broad as possible,covering both the theoretical andthe practical. We provide a Theory ofMusic syllabus, examined through

written exams, and a PracticalMusicianship syllabus that usespractical methods to assess musicalunderstanding.

In a Practical Musicianship examcandidates demonstrate theirunderstanding of melody, harmony,rhythm and form by responding toquestions about music and by singingor playing an instrument of theirchoice in a series of tests.

*Not available in all countries: check the Examination Information & Regulations booklet for availablity

n Horn

n Trumpet,Jazz Trumpet*

n Cornet, Jazz Cornet*

n Flugelhorn,Jazz Flugelhorn*

n E Horn

n Trombone,Jazz Trombone*

n Bass Trombone

n Baritone

n Euphonium

n Tuba

n Percussion

n Singing

n Theory of Music

n PracticalMusicianship



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Music Medals Music Medals are our assessments and teaching resources, devised to introduceessential musical skills and encourage playing together.

Progressively structured across ve levels, Music Medals provide goals and celebrateachievement. Copper and Bronze are for beginners, whilst Silver, Gold and Platinumreward further musical progress.

Fully supported by award winning publications, Music Medals are exible and inclusive,providing a suggested teaching format and resources. Assessments take place innormal lesson time and each Music Medal covers three activities: playing together,playing solo and musicianship skills. Performances are video recorded, marked by theteacher and moderated by ABRSM. Successful candidates are awarded a certicate,and, of course, a Music Medal. Find out more at www.abrsm.org/musicmedals.

Music Medals assessments are available in the UK, and the ensemble publicationsare available worldwide.

Diplomas ABRSM diplomas provide an authoritativeassessment framework for a wide rangeof musicians.

There are three subjects for diplomas:

n Music Performance

n Music Direction

n Instrumental/Vocal Teaching

and each subject has three levels of award:

n Diploma of The Associated Board of theRoyal Schools of Music (DipABRSM)

n Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music(LRSM)

n Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music(FRSM)

The diplomas are designed to encouragea diversity of approaches to performing,directing and teaching music and tostimulate achievement through acquiringskills, knowledge and understanding.

These highly respected and letter-bearingqualications provide valuable opportunitiesfor professional musicians (and thoseaspiring to be so) to gain recognition fortheir abilities and achievements.



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Performance Assessment For many adults who return to playingor singing after a long break, whobegin to learn a new instrument fromscratch, or for musicians with specicneeds, an exam is not always themost appropriate kind of assessment.The Performance Assessment is analternative that provides a valuableperforming experience.

Participants can play their own choiceof repertoire and come away with awritten report containing constructivecomments and advice from a memberof our examining panel.

Ensembles We offer syllabuses for a wide rangeof ensembles from duos and trios to jazz ensembles and choirs.



Entering for exams:UK and Ireland

Practical exams There are three exam periods per year,in the spring, summer and autumn.

Theory exams There are three exam days per year, inthe spring, summer and autumn.

ABRSM Centres We have exam centres throughout theUK and Ireland, many of which are runwith the assistance of our HonoraryLocal Representatives.

When allocating appointments forpractical exams our administration teammakes every effort to be as exible aspossible. We will always try to take intoconsideration any preferences indicatedon the exam entry form.

Entering for exams:All other countries

Dates of exams vary from countryto country. In most cases your localABRSM Representative will be ableto provide information about entryprocedures, dates and fees. Leaetsdetailing this information are alsopublished for each country. They areavailable from your Representative orfrom our ofce in London. Details ofyour nearest Representative can befound in the Examination Information

& Regulations booklet (internationaledition) or at www.abrsm.org.

Access for our candidateswith specic needs

We are aware of the importance of providing opportunities for all candidates irrespective ofsensory impairment, learning difculties, physical challenges, or other specic needs.

One option is the Performance Assessment (see page 11). We also make provision for thosewho wish to take graded exams. We aim to ensure that all candidates can take part as fully aspossible in every section of an exam.

Standard Visits and Special Visits Teachers or schools with a large number of candidates and a suitable venue can opt forone of our visit schemes, where our examiner hears candidates at the school or teacher’shome, rather than at an ABRSM Centre.

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Online servicesOur online exam services offer teachersdirect access to all their exam entrydetails at any time. Each teacher’s onlineaccount provides a hub of essential andhelpful information at every step: makingan exam entry, brieng students aboutattending for their exam, and viewingtheir results. www.abrsm.org

Standard Visits take place within oneof the three main exam periods (in thespring, summer and autumn). SpecialVisits take place outside these sessions

on a date chosen by the teacher.

Further information about entryarrangements, including exam datesand entry fees, can be found on entryforms (which we revise annually) andin the Examination Information &

Regulations booklet for the UK andIreland.

Online services:Malaysia and SingaporeOur online exam servicesoffer teachers in Malaysia andSingapore direct access to all theirexam entry details at any time.Each teacher’s online accountprovides a hub of essential andhelpful information at every step:making an exam entry, briengstudents about attending for their

exam, and viewing their results.www.abrsm.org

We publish guidelines covering provisionsfor candidates who are blind or partially-

sighted; deaf or hearing-impaired; withdyslexia and other learning difculties;with autistic spectrum disorders andthose with other specic needs. In somecases the guidelines include details ofthe availability of alternative tests. Forcandidates with requirements outside ofthese guidelines, arrangements will beconsidered on an individual basis.

Our guidelines are published atwww.abrsm.org/exams.



Accreditation

In the UK Our diplomas, graded exams (for individual instruments, Singing and Theory of Music) andMusic Medals are accredited in England by the Qualications and Curriculum Authority(QCA) and the corresponding regulatory authorities in Wales (ACCAC) and Northern Ireland(CCEA). They are part of the National Qualications Framework (NQF) and have also beenapproved under Section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000.

In other countriesOur exams are recognised formally in a number of other countries. In Australia, Canadaand South Africa our exams can be used for credit towards the relevant qualications takenby students completing compulsory secondary education. Contact us for full details ofaccreditation worldwide.

For UK higher education institutionsOur exams at Grades 6, 7 and 8 attract points under the tariff of the Universities andColleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for applications from students worldwide for places athigher education institutions in the UK.

Examiners

Our examining panels consist of over 700musicians, all highly qualied and skilledin their own eld. Individual experience iscombined with comprehensive and rigoroustraining, both prior to acceptance on to thepanel and whilst they remain a member of it.

We provide all our examiners withcontinuing professional development,moderation and monitoring. The result is ateam of examiners that we trust and know tobe impartial, objective and consistent.

ABRSM graded exams are music examsrather than instrumental or singing exams.Examiners are assessing the quality of themusic-making, not how it is achieved. Forthis reason we do not restrict examinersto assessing only their own instrument butrequire them to examine all instruments.

This places the emphasis rmly on themusic, rather than technique, and givesconsistency across the syllabuses.

Examiners conducting Jazz exams areselected for their expertise, experienceand background in jazz, either asinstrumentalists or teachers. Jazzexaminers assess any instrument in theJazz syllabus.

Where possible, two examiners are presentat every level of diploma exam. Wheneverpossible, one examiner will be a specialistin the discipline concerned, the other ageneralist.

Safeguarding children

The overwhelming majority of our examcandidates are children. We acknowledgeour responsibility for the safety andwelfare of children while taking ourexams, or otherwise under our temporarycare. All staff working on behalf of ABRSM

are required to accept this responsibilityand are committed to practices whichprotect children from harm.

We have adopted formal childsafeguarding guidelines, supplementingexisting procedures with a code ofpractice for everyone working on ourbehalf. We regularly review our childsafeguarding policy.

The policy can be viewed atwww.abrsm.org.

Equal opportunities

ABRSM is committed to providing

equality of opportunity and treatmentfor all and will not unlawfully or unfairlydiscriminate directly or indirectly onthe basis of gender, age, ethnic originor disability in our dealings with examcandidates, parents, teachers, examiners,representatives or stewards.

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Publications

As part of our commitmentto excellence in musiceducation, we provide arich range of materials tosupport our exams and to

help everyone get the mostout of music-making.

The scope of our publications covers wide-ranging and extensiveinstrumental catalogues, scholarly editions of the greatcomposers and jazz publications for a variety of instruments.

There are also albums of specially-commissioned pieces bycontemporary composers in the Spectrum series.

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Publications to support our exams include:n Albums that complement our

instrumental and vocal syllabuses,both classical and jazz

n CDs and audio downloads of examrepertoire

n Practice aural tests andsight-reading/quick studies

n Scales, arpeggios and broken chords

n Theory and musicianship textbooks

n Scholarly, practical editions of themajor Baroque, Classical and Romanticcomposers’ keyboard music

n Biographies, guides and companions

Our publications are available at music shops worldwide and online fromwww.abrsm.org/publications.

SoundJunctionSoundJunction is our free, multi-award-winning website where you can:

n Explore music by taking it apart andlistening to individual instruments tond out how it all works

n Create your own music and discover thenuts and bolts of music theory by

playing and exploring

n Listen to music specially writtenand recorded by top musiciansand composers

n Discover music and instruments fromdifferent traditions and countries

SoundJunction has over 100 hours ofaudio and video and more than 1,000 pagescovering over 300 pieces of music fromtraditions around the world.www.abrsm.org/soundjunction

Libretto The latest news, features anddevelopments at ABRSM are available inour magazine Libretto, published three

times a year and free to teachers all overthe world.

You can browse through current and backissues of Libretto at www.abrsm.org.



n All syllabuses and other relevant information can be foundat www.abrsm.org.

n Syllabuses, information booklets and entry forms areavailable free of charge from our Representatives,Honorary Local Representatives, or our ofce in London.

n These Music Exams is a comprehensive guide for candidates,teachers and parents which answers the questions they askmost frequently. It sets out the criteria used by our examiners

and covers all aspects of preparing for and taking exams.It is available from our Representatives, Honorary LocalRepresentatives, our ofce in London or at www.abrsm.org.

In the UK teachers can choosefrom three core courses:

n Certicate of Teaching (CT ABRSM) Available as a one year, part-timecourse, or as a fast-track residentialcourse over six months

n Teaching Music Effectively A short course including four study days

n An Introduction to Instrumentaland Vocal Teaching One-day course

Professionaldevelopment

All musicians need goodteachers to nurture and developtheir talents – and good teachersendeavour to enhance their

professional skills. We supporttheir continuing professionaldevelopment through ourinnovative courses and onlinelearning.

Outside the UK the following coursesare regularly available:

n Certicate of Teaching (CT ABRSM) Available in the one year, part-timeformat in Hong Kong and Indonesia

n Professional Development Programme Regular seminars and workshopsfor teachers in South East Asia

n Centenary Travel Grant Fund Supports a variety of courses andconferences all over the world

As well as our core courses, we provide syllabus seminars - whenever particular syllabusesare updated - and other courses to support teachers’ development throughout theircareers. We also offer a range of short courses, workshops and seminars around the worldthat provide for the needs of teachers at all stages in their careers and reect the latestdevelopments in music education.

You can nd further details about our teaching courses at www.abrsm.org/teachers.

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Further information

Getting in touch

Our Representatives, Honorary Local Representatives andother contacts are listed on our website: www abrsm.org

UK and Ireland enquiriesT +44 (0)20 7636 5400E [email protected]

All other countries enquiriesT +44 (0)20 7467 8240E [email protected]

Contact us:

ABRSM 24 Portland PlaceLondon W1B 1LUUnited Kingdom

P h o t o s : S h u t t e r s t o c k . c

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ABRSM

24 Portland PlaceLondon W1B 1LUUnited Kingdom

www.abrsm.org 0 7 / 2 0 0 9

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