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2024 Violin Exam Pieces

The new ABRSM Violin Syllabus from 2024 offers refreshed repertoire, with lists extended to 39 pieces per grade, giving more choice than ever before! The new Violin Exam Pieces books bring together a selection of nine pieces from the syllabus at Grades 1 to 8, covering lists A, B and C. These volumes offer an attractive collection of repertoire that has been thoroughly edited and clearly presented, providing an excellent basis for creating an engaging programme for either an exam or concert. Each book also includes helpful footnotes and syllabus information.

Key points

• Nine pieces in a range of styles, chosen from Lists A, B and C – ideal for both Practical and Performance Grade exams
• Excellent source of attractive and varied repertoire to suit every performer
• Available in three formats:
• Violin part only;
• Violin part and piano accompaniment;
• Violin part, piano accompaniment and audio
• Audio edition includes a unique download code to access recordings of all nine pieces, plus piano accompaniment tracks for use in Performance Grades or to support practice

2024 Cello Exam Pieces

The new ABRSM Cello Syllabus from 2024 offers refreshed repertoire, with lists extended to 39 pieces per grade, giving more choice than ever before! The new Cello Exam Pieces books bring together a selection of nine pieces from the syllabus at Grades 1 to 5, covering lists A, B and C. These volumes offer an attractive collection of repertoire that has been thoroughly edited and clearly presented, providing an excellent basis for creating an engaging programme for either an exam or concert. Each book also includes helpful footnotes and syllabus information.

Key points

• Nine pieces in a range of styles, chosen from Lists A, B and C – ideal for both Practical and Performance Grade exams
• Excellent source of attractive and varied repertoire to suit every performer
• Available in three formats:
• Cello part only;
• Cello part and piano accompaniment;
• Cello part, piano accompaniment and audio
• Audio edition includes a unique download code to access recordings of all nine pieces, plus piano accompaniment tracks for use in Performance Grades or to support practice

New! 2024 Initial Grade Exam Packs

The new ABRSM Bowed Strings Initial Grade Syllabus from 2024 offers more choice than ever before! These packs bring together in one place exam pieces, scales and sight-reading to support ABRSM’s Initial Grade syllabus from 2024 – ideal for both Practical and Performance Grade exams. The pieces, three from each of Lists A, B and C, have been carefully selected to offer an attractive and varied range of styles, creating a collection that provides an excellent source of repertoire to suit every performer. The pack includes audio recordings of the nine pieces featured in each book, which can be accessed through a download code.

Key points

• Nine pieces in a range of styles, chosen from Lists A, B and C – ideal for both Practical and Performance Grade exams
• A single exam pack book bringing together exam pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and access to audio recordings in one place
• Includes a unique download code to access recordings of all nine pieces, plus piano accompaniment tracks for use in Performance Grades or to support practice
• Helpful footnotes and useful syllabus information for those preparing for exams

Violin Mix is an original series of new arrangements for violin that offers attractive repertoire at Grades Initial to 3 in a wide variety of styles. The series has been compiled by string specialists. Kathy and David Blackwell, and covers the musical and technical elements of the early grades in three progressive volumes. Many of the arrangements are featured on the ABRSM Violin syllabus from 2024 and, in addition, all are ideal choices for Performance Grade exams.

Keynotes:

• New arrangements and attractive repertoire in a wide variety of styles
• Featuring well-known music like La donna è mobile from Rigoletto, Jupiter from The Planets, Autumn from The Four Seasons and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious from Mary Poppins
• Accompaniments for piano, violin and guitar providing flexibility for learning and teaching
• Featured on the ABRSM Violin syllabus from 2024
• Perfect for players exploring repertoire for the own-choice piece in ABRSM’s Performance Grade exams

Available HERE

ABRSM’s 2023 and 2024 Piano Exam Syllabus will be made publicly available globally on 9 June 2022.

The new Piano Exam books each feature a selection of nine pieces from the syllabus at Grades Initial-8, covering lists A, B and C. Meticulously edited and presented, these volumes comprise rich and varied repertoire from which to create an exciting programme for both Practical and Performance Grade exams. Each volume also includes helpful footnotes and syllabus information.

BOOK + DOWNLOADABLE AUDIO
Finally, ABRSM is doing away with CDs and replacing them with audio downloads. The book + audio editions comprise of all 39 tracks exclusively available with each graded book. However, those who prefers to purchase without audio tracks may continue to do so at a lower price point.

Key Highlights for This Syllabus:
– Nine pieces to select from the List A, B and C
– Available as book only or book with audio downloads
– Each book with audio comes with full 39 tracks
– 70% of the 2021 & 2022 repertoire are 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 choices than before with the lists extended to 13 pieces (total 39 per grade)
– All pieces may be used for Practical or Performance Grade exams

Teaching Notes on Piano Exam Pieces 2023 & 2024
Written by Sharon Gould, Timothy Barratt and Anthony Williams, the new Teaching Notes edition offers in-depth guidance to all piano teachers and students covering all 81 pieces from Grades Initial-8 in the new syllabus. The Notes feature great teaching ideas relating to three areas of learning: musical context, technical challenges, and performance and interpretation.

Pre-order for these books are coming soon. Do check our website frequently.

ABRSM’s official Practice Papers are essential resources for candidates preparing for their Music Theory exams. The papers provide authentic practice materials and a reliable guide to what to expect in the exam.

The new papers are selected from the 2021 Music Theory exam papers. Each graded collection contains four papers from the 2021 exams; there is also a corresponding set of Model Answers for each grade.

Books available for Grades 1-5:

ABRSM’s on-demand Music Theory exams give learners the best opportunity to demonstrate their musical knowledge and understanding, when and where they choose. Music Theory Practice Papers 2021 (Grades 1-5) are essential resources for candidates preparing for the online exams. They fully support the question types that candidates will see during their exam and reflect the new mark scheme (where there will be a total of 75 marks available, with one mark for each correct answer). They provide candidates with a reliable guide to what to expect during the exam. Model Answers also available separately for Grades 1-5 for use with these Practice Papers.

Books available for Grades 6-8:

ABRSM’s Music Theory exams at Grades 6-8 cover harmony and counterpoint, composition, and a broad knowledge of western music, including composers and their works, structure, style and period. Music Theory Practice Papers Grades 6-8 are essential resources for candidates preparing for their paper-based Music Theory exams. They provide authentic practice materials and a reliable guide to what to expect in the exam. Model Answers also available for Grades 6-8 for use with these Practice Papers.
Music Theory exams at Grades 6-8 will remain paper-based.

The Practice Papers and Model Answers will be made available on 6 January 2022. In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact us via email or phone if you have any questions.

Following on from the release of ABRSM’s Music Theory Sample Papers and Discovering Music Theory publications in October 2020, they are excited to announce another release of More Music Theory Sample Papers and corresponding Model Answers for the new format exams at Grades 1 to 5, all available from Jan 8, 2021.
These essential resources fully support the online question types and will help candidates understand what to expect in the exam that candidates will now have an array of materials available to help prepare for their online Music Theory exam.

More Music Theory Sample Papers are essential materials for candidates preparing for online exam for they display the new question types that candidates will see during their exam and reflect the new mark scheme (where there will be a total of 75 marks available rather than 100 marks, with one mark for each correct answer).
More Music Theory Sample Papers, in addition to Music Theory Sample Papers (published in October 2020), offers learners all-round preparation for their online Music Theory exam and provide candidates with a reliable guide to what to expect during the exam.

Books available for Grades 1-5

Key Selling Points

• Indicative of what candidates can expect during their online exam
• Question types that provide all-round preparation for the online Music Theory Exam
• Includes four sample papers
• Additional practice material for our online Music Theory exams and perfect for use alongside Music Theory Sample Papers
• Second set of Sample Papers released since October due to customer demand

These new materials are available now. Get them HERE

After having kept to the same syllabus for a prolong time, ABRSM has finally updated the Piano Scales & Arpeggios from 2021 along with the launched of its new Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022. So, what has changed?

Well, many are already aware that an Initial Grade (or pre-Grade 1) syllabus is newly introduced, which should not be confused with the Piano Prep Test. Apart from that, the greatest change in Scales is probably in the Grade 5 syllabus.

We lay down the changes in simple, easy to read bullet points for you:

• Broken chords are no longer included for lower grades
• Grade 1 descending scale option is removed
• Hand separately only for Grades 1 to 5
• Hands together for Grades 6 to 8
• 3 octaves range removed for Grade 5
• Volume of scales decreased for each grade, especially for Grade 5
• Staccato introduced for Grade 5, LH and RH separately
• 4 key scales are grouped progressively for Grades 6 to 8
• Dominant 7th are now resolved to the tonic

The next question that many students tend to ask is what are Examiners looking for in this new syllabus?

According to Leigh O’Hara and Samantha Carrasco, two of the examiners, these are some of the key elements:

• Accuracy (in execution)
• Tempo (which bumps up in ascending grades)
• Musical shaping / musical approach
• “Sense of direction” in playing

Well, I hope this summary helps to clarify the key changes to the new Piano Scales & Arpeggios syllabus.

Get a copy of the latest Scales & Arpeggios books here: https://ensemblemusic.com.sg/shop/books/abrsm-exam-scales-sight-reading/abrsm-scales-sight-reading/abrsm-piano-scales-arpeggios-series-new-from-2021/

In view of the longevity of the Covid-19 crisis, ABRSM has announced that they will be delivering Music Theory assessment at Grades 1 to 5 as an online exam. The first online Music Theory Grade 5 (pilot) exam will take place for candidates in the UK on 26 August 2020. Among the selected territories, candidates in Singapore will sit for their Grades 1-5 Music Theory exam on Nov 7, 2020

ABRSM has also updated some questions at Grades 1 to 5 and made some small changes to the syllabus. These changes apply to online exams from 2020 in all territories where they are available.

Download Syllabus summary for Grades 1 to 5 (online exams from 2020): https://sg.abrsm.org/media/64639/music-theory-syllabus-outline-grades-1-5-from-2020.pdf

Download Grade 5 Sample Paper (online exams from 2020):
https://sg.abrsm.org/media/64672/music-theory-grade-5-sample-paperv2.pdf

Download Grade 5 Model Answers (online exams from 2020):
https://sg.abrsm.org/media/64648/music-theory-grade-5-sample-model-answers.pdf

Along with these changes, a new suite of Music Theory publications will be released from 8 October 2020, namely:
Discovering Music Theory – workbooks and corresponding answer books to build understanding of music theory at Grades 1 to 5, step by step. The workbooks provide an all-round preparation for the updated Online Music Theory exams.
Music Theory Sample Papers & Model Answers – contains the layout of the new online exams at Grades 1 to 5, preparing candidates for the updated question types they will experience in the online exam format.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be shedding more light with regards to these new materials, so check back soon.

As for Music Theory exams at Grades 6 to 8, they will continue as paper-based assessments for all candidates worldwide. There are no changes to the questions or syllabus for these grades. ABRSM will offer these exams when possible, safely and in line with all local government guidance.

In an unprecedented case, we have just been informed by ABRSM UK of an important change to the Grade 1 editions of the new 2021 & 2022 Piano Exam Pieces. 

These are the exact text from ABRSM UK:

I am writing to let you know about an important change to the Grade 1 editions of the new 2021 & 2022 Piano Exam Pieces.  We are committed to reflecting a world of underrepresented talent and musical stories through our commissioning and publications. We have recently made a change to the Grade 1 Piano syllabus to make it more representative, and this means the Piano Exam Pieces Grade 1 (both with and without CD) will now publish on a later date to the rest of the syllabus. We will communicate this new publication date and a new delivery schedule as soon as possible. Due to this change to Grade 1, we will also be updating the Piano Syllabus 2021 & 2022. We will make this available as a downloadable PDF – there will be no printed edition of this syllabus.
Affected titles: 
• 9781786013187 Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, ABRSM Grade 1 
• 9781786013279 Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, ABRSM Grade 1, with CD 
• 9781786013842 Piano Syllabus 2021 & 2022

All orders already received for the Grade 1 books will be supplied when available, and there is no need to re-order them. Any backorders recorded from 1 July will be supplied with standard freight charges applied and shipped as soon as stock is available. 
Please refer to the new ISBN numbers below for the Grade 1 books when placing orders and updating your systems.
• 9781786013873 Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, ABRSM Grade 1 
• 9781786013880 Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, ABRSM Grade 1, with CD

The publication date for all new Piano Syllabus 2021 & 2022 publications exceptGrade 1 will remain 9 July 2020. This includes the Piano Exam Pieces Grades Initial and 2-8, and the new Piano Scales books. These books remain under embargo until 9 July 2020. We will communicate the new publication date and embargo date for the new Grade 1 books as soon as possible.

What Does this mean to you?

This changed of event has affected all students and teachers globally. At Ensemble Music, we have already taken the necessary steps to “swap out” the Grade 1 books order. All affected customers will be notified separately. Rest assure that we will make our best effort to deliver your books, pre-order or not, in the shortest possible time. Your understanding and patience are greatly appreciated.

Best regards,
Ensemble Music Team

The wait is finally over, the new ABRSM piano syllabus is now scheduled to release (worldwide) on July 9, 2020. We have received many questions about the new syllabus, so here’s a very quick summary to digest:

1. Sight-reading syllabus
   • No changes to the syllabus except the introduction of a new Initial Grade (see this as pre-Grade 1)
2. Scales & Arpeggios
   • Revised Scales & Arpeggios for all grades plus the addition of a new Initial Grade
3. Exam pieces
   • Revised repertoire lists along with a revised list structure with lists defined by musical characteristics rather than existing lists grouped by period of composition
   • More choice and variety of repertoire (30 pieces per grade)
   • A duet option from Initial Grade to Grade 3. Students may refer to the New Piano Star Duets for choice pieces

That’s all you need to know in short. The new syllabus will take effect on January 1st, 2021, available for download here: https://sg.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/piano-exams/

Apart from that, due to current year’s examination delays caused by the Covid-19 situation, there will be a one-year overlap period, with the 2019 & 2020 syllabus valid until December 31st, 2021. However, all three pieces and the scales requirements must be prepared from the same syllabus. Cherry picking (mixed selections) between 2019 & 2020 and 2021 & 2022 syllabus are not allowed.

Another step taken by ABRSM (emerging from the situation of Covid-19) is the announcement they made in May 2020 that online practical graded music exams with a focus on performance will be made available to students in the UK from August 2020. The exams will be for all instruments and grades and will use existing repertoire and resources. These exams, though only available in UK for now, will eventually be rolled out in stages to students in other countries in the near future.

These performance-focused graded music exams will be assessed remotely based on a recorded (video) submission. This is similar to the approach taken by Rockschool of London (RSL) just a few months back. All the pieces played must be recorded in a single (non-stop) take.

To learn more about Performance Grading, visit https://sg.abrsm.org/en/performancegrades/

With effect from 1 January 2021, the repertoire lists in the new Piano syllabus 2021 & 2022 are for use in both existing practical graded music exams and in the newly announced remotely-assessed, performance-focused grading.

Purchase the new 2021 & 2022 Exam pieces here.

ABRSM’s official Practice Papers are essential resources for candidates preparing for our Music Theory exams. They provide authentic practice materials and a reliable guide to what to expect in the exam.

The new papers are selected from the 2019 Music Theory exam papers. Each graded collection contains four papers from the 2019 exams; there is also a corresponding set of Model Answers for each grade.