Brass for All: The New ABRSM Brass Syllabus 2023
February 17th, 2023 | 1 min read
Brass exams on the ABRSM syllabus are changing in 2023...
Until now, performing in exams would mean playing with a piano accompaniment. But this year, young learners will have another option.
ABRSM brass students at grades one to three will be given the choice to play with a piano accompaniment or play a brass duet with their teacher.
What does this mean for budding brass players practising for their exams? Well, a student taking their grade two trumpet exam could be accompanied by their teacher on another brass instrument. And some pieces give students the option between a piano or a brass accompaniment.
To help performers to decide, the ABRSM have clearly labelled the options for pieces on their syllabus:
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DUET: Candidates can play with their teacher. Candidates must play the part specified.
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DUET/PIANO: Candidates can play either with a brass or piano accompaniment.
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SOLO: Candidates play unaccompanied.
This opens up lots of new opportunities for brass players working through their grades. It can help children familiarise themselves with their performance and bring confidence in playing with their brass teacher. You can see for yourself in this video, where Amos performs 'Eventide' with his brass teacher, Keith.
'Eventide' was arranged by Paul Douglas and is one of the many magical pieces from his Famous Hymns and Marches. Paul's arrangements are suitable for both piano and brass accompaniments and feature on the ABRSM syllabus for 2023.
"Nowhere else can you find such a collection of classic brass repertoire," says Paul, "specially arranged for duet and/or piano accompaniment for every brass instrument. I am delighted that ABRSM has acknowledged the heritage and continuing value of these pieces."
You can find Famous Hymns and Marches in both digital and print versions at Warwick Music Publishing, along with many other pieces that feature on the ABRSM syllabus.
"Students have more options than ever in exams - from playing with their brass teacher to using digital versions," says Julie Fews, Publishing Manager at Warwick Music Publishing. "We are so excited that our publications are part of the new syllabus."
To find out more about your instrument and grade, and which pieces you could perform, head to the ABRSM Brass Exams page.
Adam is the Content Manager at pBone Music. This should mean that he’s the ideal person to write about himself, but he finds boasting in the third person a little awkward. He honed his word wizardry with a degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Leeds. He has since written copy for clients and businesses across the land, from awards to something beginning with “z”. He also spent a number of years as a musician. He has written pop songs and even jingles for kids, performed more first dances at weddings than you could shake a pBuzz at, and once played a gig for a pie company at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester. When he’s not reminiscing about those good old days, you might find Adam enjoying the football (although as an Everton fan, that can be difficult). He also loves spending time with his partner, Jen, and his family and friends, and sincerely hopes they feel the same way.
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