Trinity College: Trinity reveals new syllabi

Music exam board Trinity College London has released its new Piano syllabus for 2015-2017 along with a new suite of supporting piano publications.The new syllabus is available to download from Trinity’s website now and the publications, which include a brand new set of graded repertoire books, are available through music retailers and from Trinity’s online store. The new Piano syllabus includes fully refreshed repertoire lists and technical work. Alongside well-known classic and contemporary pieces encompassing a wide range of styles and periods, the new repertoire includes a number of original compositions by composers from all over the world, who responded to an invitation from Trinity to submit pieces for consideration. The new series of graded piano repertoire books for Initial to Grade 8 contains new repertoire and exercises. The books are available as book only and CD only, and also as book with CD and teaching notes for the grade. New scales and arpeggios books and a separate book of teaching notes are also available. Chris Walters, Trinity’s Head of Qualifications – Music, said: “Our new Piano syllabus has been designed to offer candidates the choice and flexibility to allow them to play to their strengths and gain recognition for their own unique skills as performers. The brand new repertoire lists and technical work offers an enticing range of music to choose from and the new exercises have been designed as valuable teaching tools, covering key aspects of technique.” Trinity will also release new syllabuses for Woodwind, Jazz Woodwind, Guitar, Strings, Singing and Brass later this month. The new 2015-2018 Brass syllabus includes updated repertoire lists and refreshed technical work. A new set of brass scales and exercises books will also be available, featuring new exercises composed by respected British trombonist and composer Mark Nightingale. The 2015-2016 Woodwind and Jazz Woodwind syllabuses also include newly commissioned exercises which will be available in new scales and arpeggios books. The new 2015-2017 Singing syllabus remains largely the same, allowing candidates to choose from an extensive and varied list of pieces. Trinity have introduced accompanied sight-reading at all grades. The current Guitar and Strings syllabuses are extended for a year and reprinted for 2015, with a full refresh planned for 2016. In addition, a new Electronic Keyboard & Organ syllabus for 2015-2018 will be released in September and will include all new repertoire from Initial to Grade 5. These new pieces will include all-new arrangements and original compositions, and will be published along with new exercises in a new set of graded repertoire books. A one year overlap arrangement will be in place for all of these syllabuses so candidates may perform repertoire and technical work from the current syllabuses until the end of 2015. Walters continued: “Our graded music exams are strongly performance based and examine real musical skills specific to each instrument or voice. The wide choice of authentic repertoire found in each of our new syllabuses allows candidates to find pieces that reflect their own musical identity, and they are able to further express their individuality through options including improvising and performing original compositions. We’ve structured our exams so that they assess the whole musician – evaluating creativity, emotional response, critical listening and performing – and we provide precise and specific feedback through a diagnostic mark scheme, to encourage continued learning and development.”