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The best person to speak to about grades and exams is your teacher!

The grades provide a measure of your musical progress, progressing from pre-Grade 1 through to Grade 8 and beyond to Diplomas.

Applications for a Grade exam are usually made by your teacher or school.

The main examination boards are:
 

	Trinity Guildhall
	Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)

Trinity Guildhall

Trinity College London and Guildhall School of Music and Drama examination boards amalgamated in March 2004 resulting in the Trinitiy Guildhall examination board.

The Trinity Guildhall Music website provides details of the exams.

Trinity Guildhall exams cover: 

	Classical Grades - practical exams for instruments and singing
	Jazz Grades - practical exams for saxophone, flute and clarinet to grade VIII
	Theory Grades

The syllabuses and associated "Information and Regulations" can be downloaded in pdf form from the Syllabus pages, or a paper copy can be requested direct from their Contact page (by telephoning or emailing).

The Trinity Guildhall exam structure is designed to intuitive for the pupils. Separate marks are awarded for each piece for: 

	Notational Accuracy and Fluency
	Technical Facility
	Communication & interpretation

Up to grade 5, pupils are given a choice of two of AURAL - SIGHTREADING - IMPROVISATION - MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE. From grade 6, SIGHTREADING is compulsory, and a choice is given between AURAL and IMPROVISATION.

The FAQs page provides more information about the new grades.

Unlike the ABRSM, grade 5 theory is not required for the higher grades.

Details of the special publications (for scales, exercises, studies, etc.) can be found on the Music Publications pages, from where the books can also be ordered. The publications are also available from local music shops.

The Entry Procedure pages provide information about entering for a grade. Usually, your music teacher will enter you for the grade and provide further information.

The most local Trinity Guildhall exam centre is:
  

Leatherhead

Mrs Alice Bishop 01372 454962 Closing date: 28 Jan 2011 Exams, beginning: 21 Mar 2011 Closing date: 16 May 2011 Exams, beginning: 27 Jun 2011 Closing date: 30 Sep 2011 Exams, beginning: 28 Nov 2011

Exams are normally run during the course of one or two weeks.  Information for other exam centres can be found in the "UK Representative List" under "Grade and Certificate Exam Entry" on the Entry Procedure pages. Nearby Trinity Guildhall centres include Ewell, Guildford and Frimley (near Woking). 

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)

The ABRSM website provides details of their exams.  The exams section includes:

	Classical Music Grades - instrumental and singing syllabuses
	Jazz Grades - instrumental and ensemble syllabuses
	Theory Grades - what to know for each grade
	Examination Regulations & Information

The syllabuses can be downloaded in pdf format, a paper copy can be requested direct from their Contact page (by telephoning or emailing), or a copy can usually be obtained from your local music shop.

Dates for UK postal exam entries are as follows:
 

Spring term	Closing date: 14 Jan 2011 Theory exams: 3 Mar 2011 Practical exams: 28 Feb - 2 Apr 2011 Jazz exams: 28 Feb - 12 Mar 2011
Summer term	Closing date: 6 May 2011 Theory exams: 18 Jun 2011 Practical exams: 13 Jun - 16 Jul 2011 Jazz exams: 13 Jun - 25 Jun 2011
Autumn term	Closing date: 23 Sep 2011 Theory exams: 2 Nov 20011 Practical exams: 7 Nov - 10 Dec 2011 Jazz exams: 7 Nov - 19 Nov 2011

Closing dates are for postal entries.  On-line entries are a few days later.  Please check the dates on the ABRSM website in case any dates have changed!

ABRSM publications are available from local music shops, web music suppliers and direct from the publishers and include a large range of music books and CDs to support the exams, including:
 

	Repertoire for classical and jazz grades (some with accompanying CDs)
	Aural test (books and CDs)
	Past theory papers

Local ABRSM exam centres include:
  

Leatherhead	Clare Harris (Practical Only) 01372 457495 Centre number: X249
Dorking	Contact Southern Region Exams (Practical Only) 020 7467 8211 Centre number: X133
Epsom	Sheila Colchester 01737 644779 Centre number: X176
Esher	Contact Southern Region Exams 020 7467 8211 Centre number: X184
Guildford	Contact London Region Exams 020 7467 8261 Centre number: G108

Notes:

	All music used for exams must be published, not photocopies.
	For music performed from memory, a published copy must be provided for the examiner.

Contact