The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) has released its new syllabuses for Trumpet and Trombone — refreshing its repertoire lists for the instruments for players taking its exams from January 2017 across all eight grades.

Inspiring pieces

The ABRSM, which delivers over 600,000 exams and assessments every year in over 90 countries stated: "The syllabus offers a broad selection of inspiring pieces that have been carefully selected to offer variety and new challenges to teachers and learners alike."

Notably, the new repertoire lists feature pieces from ABRSM's 'Shining Brass' series as well as 'Spectrum for Trumpet'. There are also pieces that can be taught in mixed instrument groups, particularly for the earlier grades.

No changes

There are no repertoire changes for other instruments in the Brass Syllabus 2017-2020, and no changes have been made to the requirements for scales, sight-reading and aural tests for brass.

In tandem with the repertoire refreshment for Trumpet and Trombone, ABRSM has also taken the opportunity to update the pieces and requirements for brass Prep Test students.

Exciting and imaginative

Penny Milsom, ABRSM's Products and Services Executive Director told 4BR: "We've listened to and consulted with teachers and candidates to select pieces for our syllabuses that are exciting, imaginative and inspiring to play and teach.

Teachers have told us that they would like pieces that can be taught together in mixed instrument groups.

We've ensured there are plenty of pieces and books set across the Brass syllabuses to accommodate this, including from our two 'Shining Brass' books which offer choices for all three lists in Grades 1-5."

Engaging

She added: "Look out for James Rae's engaging 'Fanfare for the Wimbledon Common Man' at Grade 1 Trumpet and Leroy Anderson's bittersweet classic, 'A Trumpeter's Lullaby', at Grade 6, as well as a welcome newcomer to the Grade 8 Trombone syllabus, Gustav Holst's stirring 'Concertante', a moving tribute written for his own instrument."

Further information:

For further information visit: www.abrsm.org/brass

We've listened to and consulted with teachers and candidates to select pieces for our syllabuses that are exciting, imaginative and inspiring to play and teachPenny Milsom, ABRSM's Products and Services Executive Director

ARSM

Later this year ABRSM will launch ARSM, a new performance-only diploma that's designed to showcase performance skills after Grade 8.

This letter-bearing qualification is perfect for players and singers who wish to keep going beyond Grade 8 or those looking to enhance their performance skills before entering higher education.

It's also ideal for those who would like to get back into playing or singing after a break.

Find out more

Find out more at: www.abrsm.org/newdiploma