Trinity Tuned Percussion Exams: 2020-2023
Please use the links below to find the titles recommended in the Trinity College Exam Syllabus:
Aural
Trinity Aural Test books Grades 1 to 5
Trinity Aural Test books Grades 6 to 8
Scales and Arpeggios from Tuned Percussion Scales & Arpeggios from 2007 (Trinity)
Sight Reading: Graded Percussion Sight Reading (Trinity) GSM 10608
Percussion Teacher’s Book: Ensembles and Accompaniments (Trinity) TG 006370
Grade Pieces
Candidates perform a balanced programme of two pieces, chosen from the list below. At least one accompanied piece must be performed. Pieces published with an accompaniment are indicated with an asterisk (*) and must not be played unaccompanied. All pieces require two mallets. An own composition may be played instead of one listed piece
Initial Grade
Aldous, Evans & Pearcey, Blast Off!*, Introducing Percussion (Trinity) TCL020000
Aldous, Evans & Pearcey, Ignition*, Introducing Percussion (Trinity) TCL020000
Barron, Hunky-dory and On the Nail, Learn as You Play Tuned Percussion & Timpani (Boosey & Hawkes) M060080982
Garraway, Seesaw and Big Jumps, Play Drum Kit, Timpani & Percussion book 1 (Lindsay) 0859570517
Pearcey, Acapulco Bay* (1st version), Team Percussion (IMP, book only, book with CD) 0863598633
Pearcey, Sort ’em Out!*, Team Percussion (IMP, book only, book with CD) 0863598633
Grade 1
Aldous, Ballad*, Tuned Percussion Solos (Mark Aldous)
Aldous, Evans & Pearcey, Destination Reached*, Introducing Percussion (Trinity) TCL020000
Aldous, Evans & Pearcey, Down to Earth*, Introducing Percussion (Trinity) TCL020000
Hext , The Music Box*, Tuned-In (Hext) HXT7
Hext , The Windmill*, Tuned-In (Hext) HXT7
Pearcey, Sleigh Ride*, Team Percussion (IMP, book only, book with CD) 0863598633
Trad., arr. Faulkner, Oranges and Lemons*, Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 (Trinity) TG005649
Trad., arr. Faulkner, This Old Man*, Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 (Trinity) TG005649
Grade 1 Study
Candidates perform one study, chosen from the list below. Composer Study Book Publisher
Faulkner Grade 1 Major Study Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 Trinity TG005649
Faulkner Grade 1 Minor Study Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 Trinity TG005649
Grade 2
Aldous, Along the Riverbank*, Tuned Percussion Solos (Mark Aldous)
Aldous, Woodpecker*, Tuned Percussion Solos (Mark Aldous)
Faulkner, Hi Five!*, Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 (Trinity) TG005649
Faulkner, In the Clouds*, Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 (Trinity) TG005649
Faulkner, Rumba*, Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 (Trinity) TG005649
Hext , Melissa the Donkey*, Tuned-In (Hext) HXT7
Hext , The Carousel*, Tuned-In (Hext) HXT7
Offenbach, arr. Alan, The Can-Can*, 1st Recital Series for Mallet Percussion (Curnow, piano accompt.) CMP0853-03-400
Grade 2 Study
Candidates perform one study, chosen from the list below. Composer Study Book Publisher
Faulkner Grade 2 Major Study Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 Trinity TG005649
Faulkner Grade 2 Minor Study Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 Trinity TG005649
Grade 3
Aldous, Newsflash*, Tuned Percussion Solos (Mark Aldous)
Barratt , Rosewood Tango*, Bravo! Percussion book 2 (Boosey & Hawkes) M060103605
Faulkner, Flamenco*, Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 (Trinity) TG005649
Faulkner, On the Breeze*, Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 (Trinity) TG005649
Hext, Cleo*, Tuned-In (Hext) HXT7
Hext, Freddy the Fish*, Tuned-In (Hext) HXT7
Hext, The Old Clock*, Tuned-In (Hext) HXT7
Menken, You’ve Got a Friend in Me (from Toy Story)*, Disney Solos for Mallet Percussion (Hal Leonard) HL00841553
Rosauro, Etude #3, Beginning Exercises and Studies for Two Mallets (ProPercussao)
van Gorp, Easy, Man!*, Big Swing Pop (De Haske) DHP0981329-400
Weijmans , Foxy…, no. 3 and …and Rocky, no. 4, Mallet Minded (De Haske) DHP1001930-401
Grade 3 Study
Candidates perform one study, chosen from the list below. Composer Study Book Publisher
Faulkner Grade 3 Major Study Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 Trinity TG005649
Faulkner Grade 3 Minor Study Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 Trinity TG005649
Grade 4
Aldous, Latin Xylo*, Tuned Percussion Solos (Mark Aldous)
Aldous, Tears of a Clown*, Tuned Percussion Solos (Mark Aldous)
Bernstein, arr. O’Reilly, Cool (from West Side Story)*, Solos for the Percussion Player (Schirmer) GS33209
Faulkner, Tango*, Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 (Trinity) TG005649
Hext , Spike Island March*, Tuned-In (Hext) HXT7
Menken, The Bells of Notre Dame (from The Hunchback of Notre Dame)*†, Disney Solos for Mallet Percussion (Hal Leonard) HL00841553
Merkies, Empty Pocket*†, The Sound of Pop Rock Blues vol. 2 (De Haske) DHP0991723-400
Trad., arr. Faulkner, Charlie is My Darling*, Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 (Trinity) TG005649
van Gorp, Mr John*†, Big Swing Pop (De Haske) DHP0981329-400
van Gorp, Waltz for L*†, Big Swing Pop (De Haske) DHP0981329-400
Weijmans , Gallop, no. 2, 13 Pieces for Mallets (De Haske) DHP0970866-401
Zivkovic , Alla Pollacca, Funny Xylophone book 1 (Funny Mallets Series) (Gretel-Verlag) M1017
Zivkovic , Xylophone Polka*, My First Book for Xylophone and Marimba (Funny Mallets Series) (Gretel-Verlag) M1019
Grade 4 Study
Candidates perform one study, chosen from the list below. Composer Study Book Publisher
Faulkner Grade 4 Major Study Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 Trinity TG005649
Faulkner Grade 4 Minor Study Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 Trinity TG005649
Grade 5
Aldous, Xylo Rhumba*, Tuned Percussion Solos (Mark Aldous)
Alford, Sparks* (Boosey & Hawkes) M060828867
Elings, Cap-Rice*†, Moments of Swing (De Haske) DHP1012931-400
Elings, There Is no Closer Friend*†, Moments of Swing (De Haske) DHP1012931-400
Elings, Velvet Gown*†, Moments of Swing (De Haske) DHP1012931-400
Faulkner, Czardina*, Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 (Trinity) TG005649
Green, Caprice Valsant* (Fischer) W1519
Hext , The Big Wheel*, Tuned-In (Hext)
Menken, Friend Like Me (from Aladdin)*†, Disney Solos for Mallet Percussion (Hal Leonard) HL00841553
Rosauro, Etude #6, Beginning Exercises and Studies for Two Mallets (ProPercussao)
Weijmans , Burlesca, no. 5, 13 Pieces for Mallets (De Haske) DHP0970866-401
Zivkovic, Memories, Funny Vibraphone book 1 (Funny Mallets Series) (Gretel-Verlag) M1015
Grade 5 Study
Candidates perform one study, chosen from the list below. Composer Study Book Publisher
Faulkner Grade 5 Major Study Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 Trinity TG005649
Faulkner Grade 5 Minor Study Tuned Percussion Pieces & Studies: Grades 1–5 Trinity TG005649
Grade 6, Any Instrument
Elings, Dixie-Rhythm-March*† [2], Moments of Swing (De Haske) DHP1012931-400
Elings, Too Many Notes Samba*† [2], Moments of Swing (De Haske) DHP1012931-400
Grade 6, Marimba
Barry, Strollin’ [4], Summer Daze (Southern Percussion) SPTBA1
Dittersdorf, arr. Boo, Scherzo* (marimba or xylophone) [2] (Ludwig) 10620205
Grossmann, Jacques Prélude (Etüde no. 10) [4], Popular Songs for Marimba (Zimmermann) ZM35510
Humperdink, arr. Pimentel & Moore, Evening Prayer [4], The Solo Marimbist vol. 2 (Per-Mus) MB10007
Pershing , Toccata [3], Contemporary Etudes for 3 & 4 Mallets (Alfred) 19626
Peters , Piece no. 1 [3], Three Pieces for Three Mallets (Mitchell) MP3
Trad., arr. Glennie, Londonderry Air [4], Marimba Encores (Faber) 057151734X
Weyer, Press [4], Spinning Yarns (Tapspace) TSPB-33
Grade 6, Xylophone
Green, Chromatic Foxtrot* (no repeats) [2], Xylophone Rags (Meredith) HL00317047
Mead, Roller-Coaster* [2] (Southern Percussion) SPGM2
Steinquest, Rudimental Ragtime* [2] (Row-Loff) CSS001
Grade 6, Vibraphone
Rosauro, Children Song [4], Vibes Etudes and Songs (ProPercussao)
Rosauro, Etude in Bossa [4], Vibes Etudes and Songs (ProPercussao)
Grade 6 Study
Candidates perform one study, chosen from the two pieces below. They may be played on xylophone at candidates’ choice.
BUTOV No. 1 24 Etudes for Marimba (Studio 4) 34960
BUTOV No. 2 24 Etudes for Marimba (Studio 4) 34960
Scales and Arpeggios from Tuned Percussion Scales & Arpeggios from 2007 (Trinity)
OR
Orchestral Extracts (music may be used) — Candidates prepare the following three extracts.
Candidates choose one extract to play first. Examiners then select one of the remaining two extracts to be performed.
a. Britten: The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra — Variation M, Orchester Probespiel: Pauke/Schlagzeug (Schott) ED7855
b. Copland: Rodeo — Hoe-Down, Orchestral Excerpts for Percussion vol. 1: Tuned Percussion (ed. Hathway) (Southern Percussion)
c. Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty — no. 6: Waltz Orchester Probespiel: Pauke/Schlagzeug (Schott) ED7855
Grade 7, Marimba
Barry, Dorian Dance [4], Summer Daze (Southern Percussion) SPTBA1
Barry, El Viaje [4], Summer Daze (Southern Percussion) SPTBA1
Glennie, Giles [4], Three Chorales for Marimba (Faber) 0571515193
Gomez, Marimba Flamenca [4] (Southern) HL03776319
Gomez, Rain Dance [4] (Southern) HL03775478
Grossmann, My Melancholic Roll (Etüde no. 7) [4], Popular Songs for Marimba (Zimmermann) ZM35510
Peters, Sea Refractions [4] (Mitchell) MP17
Peters, Sonata-Allegro* [3] (Mitchell) MP12
Peters, Teardrops [3] (Mitchell) MP9
Weyer, Breathe [4], Spinning Yarns (Tapspace) TSPB-33
Grade 7, Xylophone
Green, Rainbow Ripples* (no repeats) [2], Xylophone Rags (Meredith) HL00317047
Grade 7, Xylophone
Ptasazyńska, Scherzo for Xylophone & Piano* [2], Four Preludes & Scherzo (PWM) 7249
Lipner, Crystal Mallet [4] (MalletWorks)
Grade 7 Study
Candidates perform one study, chosen from the two pieces below. They may be played on xylophone at candidates’ choice.
BUTOV No. 3 24 Etudes for Marimba (Studio 4) 34960
BUTOV No. 9 24 Etudes for Marimba (Studio 4) 34960
Scales and Arpeggios from Tuned Percussion Scales & Arpeggios from 2007 (Trinity)
OR
Orchestral Extracts (music may be used) — Candidates prepare the following three extracts.
Candidates choose one extract to play first. Examiners then select one of the remaining two extracts to be performed.
a. Holst: The Planets — VI. Uranus, the Magician, Orchestral Excerpts for Percussion vol. 1: Tuned Percussion (ed. Hathway) (Southern Percussion)
b. Kodály: Háry János Suite — 6. Satz: Einzug das kaiserlichen Hofes, Orchester Probespiel: Pauke/Schlagzeug (Schott) ED7855
c. Prokofiev: Cinderella Suite no. 1 — 2. Pas de Chat (fig. 21 to end), Orchester Probespiel: Pauke/Schlagzeug (Schott) ED7855
Grade 8, Marimba
Berg, Blue Memories [4] (Svitzer)
Brice, Valiseeh* [2/4] (Southern Percussion) SPTMB2
Musser, Etude in A flat, op. 6 no. 2 [2] (Studio 4)
Musser, Etude in C, op. 6 no. 10 [4] (Studio 4)
Peters , Yellow after the Rain [4] (Mitchell)
Rosauro, Either Allegro-Adagio-Piu mosso and Andante or Animato-Poco meno mosso-Prestissimo (from Marimba Concerto) [4] (ProPercussao)
Grade 8, Xylophone
Berenska, Taps in Tempo* [2/4] (Southern Percussion)
Green, Jovial Jasper* (no repeats) [2], Xylophone Rags (Meredith) HL00317047
Inns, Robin Harry* [2] (Boosey & Hawkes) M060832093
Mayuzumi, Either 1st movt or 3rd movt (from Concertino for Xylophone)* [2] (Peters) EP6856A
Pitfield, Sonata (any two movts) [4] (Peters) EP66161
Grade 8, Vibraphone
Houllif, Tranquility [4] (Ludwig) 10620382
Rosauro, My Dear Friend [4], Vibes Etudes and Songs (ProPercussao)
Grade 8 Study
Candidates perform one study, chosen from the two pieces below. They may be played on xylophone at candidates’ choice.
BUTOV No. 8 24 Etudes for Marimba (Studio 4) 34960
BUTOV No. 11 24 Etudes for Marimba (Studio 4) 34960
Scales and Arpeggios from Tuned Percussion Scales & Arpeggios from 2007 (Trinity)
OR
Orchestral Extracts (music may be used) — Candidates prepare the following three extracts.
Candidates choose one extract to play first. Examiners then select one of the remaining two extracts to be performed.
a. Gershwin: Porgy and Bess — Introduction, Orchester Probespiel: Pauke/Schlagzeug (Schott) ED7855
b. Dukas: L’apprenti sorcier — Scherzo (4th bar of fig. 17 to 4th bar of fig. 19) (may be played on xylophone), Orchester Probespiel: Pauke/Schlagzeug (Schott) ED7855
c. Stravinsky: Danse de la suite de Kachtcheï, enchantée par l’oiseau de feu, Orchester Probespiel: Pauke/Schlagzeug (Schott) ED7855
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