Singing Exams
Should you decide you would like to go through the grades in singing, there are a number of options. You can take an exam which covers all bases, or specialise in musical theatre and acting. In order to enter these exams you have to register with the awarding body, or alternatively I can enter you into the exam.
Here are some of the options:
Here are some of the options:
- ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music)
There are 8 grades in total, preceded by a 'prep test', and after the grades there are a range of diplomas. For all grades you are expected to prepare and sing (from memory) three songs from the listed repertoire, plus one unaccompanied traditional song.
After Grade 5 you must pass Grade 5 Music Theory (or a set alternative, see the syllabus for details) in order to progress to Grade 6 singing. For details of how to start learning Music Theory please get in touch.
The advantages of the ABRSM grades are that they are the most 'rounded' approach to singing - since they don't focus on one genre but span a range of styles and traditions - from baroque Italian to French art songs to English contemporary and musical theatre.
Since Covid-19 there have been some significant changes to the way usic exams work. A new introduction from ABRSM, Performance Grades, allows singers to pre-record four songs (in one take) and submit these for examination. This is still a challenging exam but removes both the face-to-face and theory elements of the Practical Grade exams.
To see the Practical Grades syllabus click here
ABRSM Singing for Musical Theatre
A recent introduction, this qualification removes the classical aspects of the exams and focuses entirely on musical theatre singing. Again, the grades go up to Grade 8, and require (Practical Grades) either three accompanied and one unaccompanied song, and sight reading/aural tests, or for the Performance Grades four accompanied songs recorded in one take and submitted online for marking.
To see the syllabus click here
- LCM (London College of Music) Musical Theatre
There are eight LCM Music Theatre grades, plus two introductory levels, four performance diplomas and three teaching diplomas.
The standard graded exams consist of a performance of two to four pieces and a discussion. At Grade 8 you also have to read at sight one part of a dialogue from a libretto.
For more information and to see the syllabus, click here.
- Trinity College Musical Theatre
I have less experience with Trinity but can recommend teachers who specialise here if this is the route you would like to take. For more information and to see the syllabus, click here.