Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Encyclopedia
ABRSM is an internationally recognised educational body and charity that provides examinations in music
The organisation, based in London, UK, runs exams in centres all over the world. It is one of three examination boards accredited by Ofqual
to award graded and diploma qualifications in music on the UK National Qualifications Framework
(along with the LCM
and Trinity Guildhall).
In addition, ABRSM provides a publishing house for music that produces syllabuses, sheet music and exam papers and runs professional development courses and seminars for teachers. The Royal Schools of the title are:
More than 620,000 candidates take ABRSM examinations each year in some 90 countries. ABRSM offers graded music exams as well as more advanced diploma qualifications.
ABRSM is a registered charity
and is one of the 200 largest UK charitable organizations ranked by annual expenditure. For the year ended 31 January 2008, income was £30.2 million and expenditure was £29.9 million. http://www.abrsm.org/resources/annualReview2007.pdf
subject at Grade 5 level before Grade 6–8 Practical exams can be taken. Passes in Grades 6–8 in either theory or practical exams may be used as part of the UCAS tariff
in obtaining a university
place in Britain. The four types of graded exam are as follows:
The exams are marked out of 150, where 100 is a pass, 120 a pass with merit, and 130 a pass with distinction.
Candidates are required to pass Grade 5 Theory, Grade 5 Practical Musicianship or Grade 5 in a solo Jazz subject in order to progress to practical exams at Grades 6, 7 and 8.
are QCA
–accredited music assessments and teaching resources aimed at younger, group-taught learners. Music Medals are distinct from graded music exams in that no external examiners are involved and the initial assessment is made by the teacher.
For each discipline there are three levels of award:
These are professional qualifications, and entitle the recipient to append the letters after his or her name. The prerequisite for DipABRSM is Grade 8 in the instrument offered, and LRSM and FRSM require the previous diploma in the same discipline to have been passed. In addition, for the Instrumental/Vocal Teaching discipline, candidates for DipABRSM must have Grade 6 Theory, and Grade 8 Theory for LRSM.
Before the viva voce, the candidate must submit a written programme notes on the day of the exam (for FRSM, the written submission should be submitted with the application form, in the form of an essay with in-depth analysis and requires sophisticated knowledge of the history, context of the composer as well as the era in which the works were composed) which should include background information as well as sufficient information and analysis of the works that are performed. The examiner(s) would engage in a conversation with the candidate concerning the notes submitted as well as other related questions that would allow the candidate to demonstrate his or her knowledge as a professional musician.
The Quick Study is a short piece with an equivalent difficulty of an ABRSM Grade 6 piece (for DipABRSM), an ABRSM Grade 7 piece (for LRSM) and an ABRSM Grade 8 piece (for FRSM).
ABRSM continues to produce copies of popular works, along with commentaries from distinguished editors
. It publishes contemporary music in its "Spectrum" series of books, and also issues a variety of publications for beginners and younger instrumentalists.
Music examination
Music examinations are a method of formally assessing the accomplishments of pupils learning musical instruments.Although there are music examinations available to school and university students alongside other regular qualifications and assessments, there are also a number of independent bodies...
The organisation, based in London, UK, runs exams in centres all over the world. It is one of three examination boards accredited by Ofqual
Ofqual
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation is a non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.-Role:...
to award graded and diploma qualifications in music on the UK National Qualifications Framework
National Qualifications Framework
The National Qualifications Framework is a credit transfer system developed for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland....
(along with the LCM
London College of Music Examinations
London College of Music Examinations is an examinations board offering graded and diploma qualifications in music, and in drama & communication...
and Trinity Guildhall).
In addition, ABRSM provides a publishing house for music that produces syllabuses, sheet music and exam papers and runs professional development courses and seminars for teachers. The Royal Schools of the title are:
- Royal Northern College of MusicRoyal Northern College of MusicThe Royal Northern College of Music is a music school in Manchester, England. It is located on Oxford Road in Chorlton on Medlock, at the western edge of the campus of the University of Manchester and is one of four conservatories associated with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music...
- Royal Academy of MusicRoyal Academy of MusicThe Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
- Royal College of MusicRoyal College of MusicThe Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
More than 620,000 candidates take ABRSM examinations each year in some 90 countries. ABRSM offers graded music exams as well as more advanced diploma qualifications.
ABRSM is a registered charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
and is one of the 200 largest UK charitable organizations ranked by annual expenditure. For the year ended 31 January 2008, income was £30.2 million and expenditure was £29.9 million. http://www.abrsm.org/resources/annualReview2007.pdf
Graded music exams
Graded music exams provide a structured framework for progression from beginner to advanced musician. In the United Kingdom, ABRSM graded examinations are QCA-accredited at three levels in the National Qualifications Framework: Grades 1–3 at Level 1 (Foundation: equivalent to GCSE grades D–G), Grades 4–5 at Level 2 (Intermediate: GCSE grades A*–C) and Grades 6–8 at Level 3 (Advanced: A-Level). Most subjects are offered from Grades 1–8 and have three standards of pass: a straight pass, a pass with merit and a pass with distinction. Candidates may enter any practical or theory exam grade without having taken any other, though there is a requirement to have passed an examination in Music Theory, Practical Musicianship or a solo jazzJazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
subject at Grade 5 level before Grade 6–8 Practical exams can be taken. Passes in Grades 6–8 in either theory or practical exams may be used as part of the UCAS tariff
UCAS Tariff
The UCAS Points System is a means of differentiating students based upon grades from various post-GCSE qualifications. It is used as a means of giving students from the UK and Republic of Ireland places at UK universities.-Points system:...
in obtaining a university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
place in Britain. The four types of graded exam are as follows:
Practical exams
These are by far the most commonly taken exams. Available for over 35 instruments, these exams incorporate four individual components:- Set Pieces. The student is required to play three pieces (four, from memory, for singers doing Grades 6–8) prepared beforehand. These pieces are selected from the current syllabus for the instrument and grade, usually one piece from each of the groups A, B and C. Group A usually features BaroqueBaroque musicBaroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
and early ClassicalClassical period (music)The dates of the Classical Period in Western music are generally accepted as being between about 1750 and 1830. However, the term classical music is used colloquially to describe a variety of Western musical styles from the ninth century to the present, and especially from the sixteenth or...
repertoire, Group B late Classical and RomanticRomantic musicRomantic music or music in the Romantic Period is a musicological and artistic term referring to a particular period, theory, compositional practice, and canon in Western music history, from 1810 to 1900....
, and Group C 20th century and contemporary music, encouraging the student to select a balanced programme with music in a range of styles and periods. For most instruments, two of these pieces are played with piano accompaniment, with the third played unaccompanied. Each piece is marked out of 30. The pass mark is 20. (For Grades 6–8 singing, the pieces are out of 24/24/21/21 for each piece, the pass mark being 16/16/14/14 respectively.) - Scales. Various scalesMusical scaleIn music, a scale is a sequence of musical notes in ascending and descending order. Most commonly, especially in the context of the common practice period, the notes of a scale will belong to a single key, thus providing material for or being used to conveniently represent part or all of a musical...
, arpeggioArpeggioAn arpeggio is a musical technique where notes in a chord are played or sung in sequence, one after the other, rather than ringing out simultaneously...
s, dominant and diminishedDiminished seventh chordA diminished seventh chord is a four note chord that comprises a diminished triad plus the interval of a diminished seventh above the root. Thus it is , or enharmonically , of any major scale; for example, C diminished-seventh would be , or enharmonically...
7ths and, for Grades 1–4 only, broken chords, are examined, according to the grade of difficulty. Scales are marked out of 21. The pass mark is 14. - Sight-reading. The student is presented with an unseen piece, has up to 30 seconds to prepare, and then must play to the best of his or her ability. Sight-reading is marked out of 21. The pass mark is 14.
- Aural. Various exercises are played by the examiner and the student is required to demonstrate skills in listening to and analysing music, for example clapping the rhythmRhythmRhythm may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or...
or singing the melodyMelodyA melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
. At higher grades, students are expected to comment on features of a short piece played by the examiner, including dynamics, phrasing and style and period. Aural is marked out of 18. The passing mark is 12.
The exams are marked out of 150, where 100 is a pass, 120 a pass with merit, and 130 a pass with distinction.
Theory exams
Music theory is examined through written papers. Papers last between one and a half and three hours depending on the grade. They are marked out of 100, where 66 is a pass, 80 a merit, and 90 a distinction.Candidates are required to pass Grade 5 Theory, Grade 5 Practical Musicianship or Grade 5 in a solo Jazz subject in order to progress to practical exams at Grades 6, 7 and 8.
Practical Musicianship
In a Practical Musicianship exam candidates demonstrate their understanding of melody, harmony, rhythm and form by responding to questions about music and by singing or playing an instrument of their choice in a series of tests. This exam is unnaccredited and is used as an internal assesment prerequisite.Jazz exams
Jazz exams (Grades 1–5) are available for a variety of instruments. They are marked in the same way as practical exams. However, many of the pieces include large improvisational sections, where the instrumentalist is required to fill in the empty bars with their own melody to fit the standard chord progression listed above.Music Medals
Music medalsMusic Medals
Music Medals are QCA-accredited music assessments and teaching resources offered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and aimed at younger learners...
are QCA
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency is an exempt charity, and an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Children, Schools and Families...
–accredited music assessments and teaching resources aimed at younger, group-taught learners. Music Medals are distinct from graded music exams in that no external examiners are involved and the initial assessment is made by the teacher.
ABRSM Diploma, Licentiate Diploma and Fellowship
ABRSM offers diplomas in three disciplines:- Music performance
- Music direction
- Instrumental/vocal teaching
For each discipline there are three levels of award:
- DipABRSM (Diploma(te) of The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music)
- LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music)
- FRSM (Fellow(ship) of the Royal Schools of Music)
These are professional qualifications, and entitle the recipient to append the letters after his or her name. The prerequisite for DipABRSM is Grade 8 in the instrument offered, and LRSM and FRSM require the previous diploma in the same discipline to have been passed. In addition, for the Instrumental/Vocal Teaching discipline, candidates for DipABRSM must have Grade 6 Theory, and Grade 8 Theory for LRSM.
Music performance
The examinations for DipABRSM, LRSM and FRSM are divided as follows: Section 1, Recital; and Section 2, Viva Voce and Quick Study. Candidates perform various pieces from a selected list and may select works other than those listed but should not exceed one third of the entire recital programme. Recital time for DipABRSM is 35 minutes, for LRSM is 40 minutes while for FRSM the time range is around 50 minutes.Before the viva voce, the candidate must submit a written programme notes on the day of the exam (for FRSM, the written submission should be submitted with the application form, in the form of an essay with in-depth analysis and requires sophisticated knowledge of the history, context of the composer as well as the era in which the works were composed) which should include background information as well as sufficient information and analysis of the works that are performed. The examiner(s) would engage in a conversation with the candidate concerning the notes submitted as well as other related questions that would allow the candidate to demonstrate his or her knowledge as a professional musician.
The Quick Study is a short piece with an equivalent difficulty of an ABRSM Grade 6 piece (for DipABRSM), an ABRSM Grade 7 piece (for LRSM) and an ABRSM Grade 8 piece (for FRSM).
Instrumental/vocal teaching
Candidates are expected to discuss their teaching materials and approach, and at LRSM must provide a video recording of their teaching. The written submissions are considerably longer than those for Music Performance, and there is no Recital section, but the Quick Study is the same.Teacher Training
Since 1995, the CT ABRSM (Certificate of Teaching) designed specifically for music teachers has been offered in addition to the diplomas, albeit as a separate qualification. In 2010, the new CT ABRSM Plus, which combined the DipABRSM and old CT ABRSM, was launched to give teachers access to the DipABRSM. There are also numerous short courses and seminars on music teaching, accompaniment and syllabus instruction available to teachers.ABRSM publications
ABRSM's publishing department was first set up in 1921 and was designed to provide suitable music for examinations, performance editions of popular works and new instructional compositions. One of the original editors was Sir Donald Tovey who wrote informative notes on the music which are still highly regarded today. ABRSM (Publishing) Ltd. was established as a separate company in 1985.ABRSM continues to produce copies of popular works, along with commentaries from distinguished editors
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
. It publishes contemporary music in its "Spectrum" series of books, and also issues a variety of publications for beginners and younger instrumentalists.
External links
- Official ABRSM website
- Official ABRSM Music Medals website
- Official ABRSM Publishing website
- musictheoryguy at YouTube 'musictheoryguy' has produced a range of useful videos which tie-in with the ABRSM music theory exams