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Exam Essentials lists publications required or recommended for ABRSM Trinity Rockschool & LCM boards' music examinations. Additionally, alternative supporting material and other information is also provided or referenced here.
LCM Exams (under construction)
Chimes stock covers a wide range of publications from the major publishers (e.g. Henle, Barenreiter, Wiener Urtext, OUP, Hal Leonard) as well as publications from each of the examination boards. Additionally Chimes stocks publications from many of the smaller publishers.
This Chimes Guide gives further information about the different publications available from some of the major publishers.
Chimes Exam Search tool for ABRSM Trinity Rockschool & LCM
Please use the Chimes Exam Search tool, or, alternatively, please email us and we would be happy to assist in finding your exam music for you.
SEARCH BOX
Please enter the name of your chosen exam board, then your chosen exam.
Once you have entered the first three letters of your search the Chimes Exam Search tool will begin to display results. (Example searches - “ABRSM piano 2024” and “Trinity piano 2020”).
Chimes endeavours to keep in stock at both of our branches in London in the Barbican or Kensington, publications from ABRSM Trinity Rockschool & LCM.
Please check the availability of your requirements on this website. If you need an item urgently, or if you wish to collect your order, please do call either Barbican or Kensington. This system is live, and linked directly to stock at both branches. Staff will be happy to reserve any publication for you.
Exam Essentials for ABRSM Trinity Rockschool & LCM: Additional Resources
Resource Centre provides additional material available from Chimes for music exams, but also highlights additional study and tuition guides. We have also provided PDF copies of some of the different syllabuses available from the examination boards here as well.
Theory of Music
For some examination boards Theory of Music is a a prerequisite for entering for the higher graded examinations (grades 6, 7 & 8). Chimes stocks a wealth of material to prepare for the necessary written examinations.
Provision for Candidates with Special Educational Needs
The ABRSM, Trinity, London College of Music and Rockschool (in the General Policies section) provide information on the provision made for candidates with SEN & disabilities in relation to their graded exams.
Syllabus Amendments & corrections
From time to time the exam boards issue amendments or corrections to syllabus requirements after publication. Additionally, the exam boards provide information on the validity (and the schedule for replacement of existing syllabuses) via these links. These are listed as follows: ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool. Please contact the London College of Music Exams for further details.
Accreditation
Typically music exams for grades 6 to 8 (both practical and Theory of Music) benefit from following UCAS (University and Colleges Admission Service) points which can be used as part of a university or college application in the UK.
Information on Qualifications provided by the exam boards which attract UCAS points, and are recognised and regulated by the following authorities in the UK can be found here:
England
Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation)
Northern Ireland
Ofqual and CCEA Regulation (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment)
Wales
Qualifications Wales
Scotland
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern Ireland sit within the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The RQF helps user to understand how regulated qualifications are related to each other and provides consistency in how the size, challenge or demand of a qualification is described.
Qualifications in Scotland sit within the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
Please click on the following links to read about accreditation for the following exam boards:
ABRSM
Trinity
Rockschool
London College of Music Exams
History
Graded examinations have a long history in the UK (and around the world!). Please click on the following links to read about the history of the exam boards
Exams were first offered by Trinity College London, and then the ABRSM,as it is known today, created by the then principal of the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) & the director of the Royal College of Music (RCM). The London College of Music Exams are unique, in that they are awarded by a University. Over 100 years after most graded music examinations were founded, Rockschool was founded as the first viable alternative to the traditional offerings available at the time.
Contact
Whilst Chimes endeavours to update the information on syllabus requirements, validity and accreditation found on this website regarding the different exam boards if you are in any doubt please contact the relevant exam board directly:
ABRSM
Trinity College London
London College of Music Exams
Rockschool
We do hope that you have found the information provided on these pages useful but please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything that we can help you with.
If it would be easier for you to speak to a member of our team please do call either Barbican or Kensington. We would be happy to welcome you to one of our shops, either Barbican or Kensington to browse our stock.
Photocopies & downloads
Candidates should not perform from unauthorised photocopies (or other kinds of copies) or illegal downloads of copyright music in examinations. In the UK, certain circumstances limit the use of copybooks in examinations. The MPA's Code of Fair Practice gives further guidance. The applicant should apply to the copyright holder and obtain permission before making a copy for an examination. Candidates and Applicants must act within the law with regard to copyright.