Join us for an unique concert celebrating musicians who were among the highest scoring participants of the 2023-2024 ABRSM exams. The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is the largest and most globally diverse examining body, with a long-standing tradition of excellence for over 135 years. ABRSM hosts nearly 660,000 exams each year in more than 93 countries around the world. The comprehensive and rigorous curricula allow students to have a well-rounded understanding of music, which can both satisfy the hobbyist and inspire budding musicians.

Reserve your seats:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-abrsm-high-scorers-concert-registration-942548356507

IN-PERSON Theory Exams (Grades 6-8 only)

• Registration through ABRSM portal

• Deadline to register:  Jan 9 - 20, 2023

• Exam Date: March 4, 2023 @ 10:00am

• Click on Paper-based Music Theory tab for details on dates and fees

IN-PERSON Practical Exams 

• Registration through ABRSM portal 

• Deadline to register:  Jan 24-27, 2023

• Approximate dates & locations:  Dallas (mid-May), Austin (late-May), Houston (early June)

• Click on face-to-face tab for details on dates and fees

DIGITAL (Online) Performance Exams 

• Registration through ABRSM portal 

• No registration deadline!  On-demand offering

• Upload recording within 28 days of your registration

• Click on digital exams tab for details on monthly exam offerings

DIGITAL (Online) Theory Exams (Grades 1-5 only)

• Registration through ABRSM portal 

• No registration deadline!  On-demand offering

• Complete exam within 28 days of your registration

• Click on Online Music Theory tab for details on fees

Diploma Exams (DipABRSM, LRSM, FRSM)

• Please carefully read the instructions required for diploma application prior to submission.  Various diploma exams are explained HERE.

• Deadline to receive complete registration packet & payment:  Jan 13, 2023

• Completed paper entry forms can be mailed to 1440 Campbell Road. Houston, TX 77055

  • PDF files of completed entry can be sent to SouthCentral@ABRSM-USA.Org

  • No picture images.  Only PDF files, please.

• Include check payable to Natalie Hall.  Digital payment via Zelle available upon request

• Approximate dates & locations: Dallas (mid-May), Austin (late-May), Houston (early June)

• Click on DipABRSM, LRSM, FRSM tab for more details.

Key Information

• Our Performance Grades are not replacing our existing Practical Grades, they offer an additional route to musical progress.

• You can also choose to switch between our Performance and Practical exams as you progress through the grades.

• The exams are equivalent in demand and value to our existing graded music exams, but have a different emphasis with a focus on performance.

• For the exam, candidates select and perform four pieces or songs, presented as a continuous programme: at least three pieces need to be from our existing syllabus (one from each list) and one is of the candidate’s own choice.

• Performance Grades are assessed remotely: choose your pieces/songs, practise your performance and - when you’re ready – record a video of your performance and send it to us for marking by our examiner panel. A full guidance document covering how to record and submit a Performance Grade video will be available soon. You must read this document before making any exam recordings.

• A pass at ABRSM Grade 5 or above is required in either Music Theory, Practical Musicianship or any Practical Music solo Jazz instrument before learners can enter for a Grade 6, 7 or 8 Performance exam.

• Alongside Performance Grade exams at Grades 1 to 8, we will be offering a remotely-assessed ARSM exam with the same syllabus and requirements as our current ARSM.

• As with our Practical Grades, students taking Performance Grades 6 to 8 will receive UCAS (University and Colleges Admission Service) points which can be used as part of a university or college application in the UK.

More Specification

• More details can be found on the ABRSM website under Performance Grades > Guidelines  (https://us.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/performancegrades/guidelines/)

• Specific answers can be found on the ABRSM website under Performance Grades > FAQ  (https://us.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/performancegrades/faq/)

• The full published document can be downloaded here:  https://us.abrsm.org/media/64528/00-qualification-specification-music-performance-grades-290620.pdf

THINGS TO KNOW FOR DECEMBER

• Digital (Performance) exam registration for January is now open!

  • Click HERE for Dates and Fees (note respective tabs for individual exams)

  • Click HERE to begin registration process

• Online THEORY exam (grades 1-5) continues to be offered on demand!

  • Click same links above to access Dates & Fees as well as registration 

  • Please note blackout dates for holidays

  • Click HERE for additional resources on theory exam preparation

THINGS TO KNOW FOR THE NEW YEAR

• 2019-2020 Piano Syllabus Overlap extended!  To accommodate those who were not able to secure a slot for December or still have not yet taken the Performance grade exams, ABRSM has extended the use of the 2019 syllabus until April, 2022.  This will be the final extension.

  • Click HERE for details on the overlap allowance

  • Click HERE for general announcement

• In-Person Practical exams in progress to resume in the Spring season!  

  • We are making plans to resume face-to-face exams at local centers in Texas.  Please see HERE for links to local exam venues.  If you reside outside of Texas or are unable to travel to an existing center, please email me for information regarding private visits.  

  • If you are interested in taking face-to-face exams, please complete THIS SURVEY to help us better secure the venue in advance so that the correct capacity can be accommodated.

• Digital (Performance, Theory 1-5) exams will continue to be a permanent offering.  The rollout of these exams has always been part of ABRSM's long term strategy, not a mere response to the pandemic.  We trust that the multiple platforms will allow increased accessibility for all learners across the globe.  

Key Information

• New Release of Piano syllabus 2021 & 2022

• Publication of Initial - Grade 8  Piano Exam Pieces , Piano Scales & Arpeggios, Teaching Notes on Piano Exam Pieces and audio recordings of all pieces on the syllabus available for purchase via ABRSM Shop.

• Publication of Initial Grade Specimen Piano Sight-Reading Tests  and Initial Grade Specimen Aural Tests available for purchase via ABRSM Shop.

• New Piano syllabus 2021 & 2022 comes into effect starting  January 1, 2021

What’s new

• New repertoire lists and scale requirements at all grades

• Repertoire:

  • More choice than ever before, with the lists extended to ten pieces (30 pieces in total per grade)

  • Duet option included for the first time – up to Grade 3

  • Revised list structure

• Scales requirements

  • A more realistic and manageable assessment load, with the focus instead on technical development and progression

• Initial Grade exam introduced – a pre-Grade 1 assessment following the same structure, content and assessment criteria as ABRSM’s existing graded music exams (three pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests)

Syllabus validity

Piano syllabus 2021 & 2022 comes into effect on  January 1, 2021.  This means:

• Candidates can begin to present the pieces and scales requirements from the new syllabus;

• Candidates can continue to present the pieces and scales requirements from the 2019 & 2020 syllabus during the overlap period (see below);

• Sight-reading and aural test requirements remain exactly the same as for the 2019 & 2020 syllabus.

Syllabus overlap

• For candidates wishing to present pieces and scale requirements from the 2019 & 2020 syllabus, a one-year overlap period (up to 31 December 2021) now applies to all countries – including the UK and Ireland.

  • • • • (December, 2021) New overlap deadline extended to April, 2022

• All three pieces and the scales requirements must be prepared from the same syllabus.

As we begin  2021, please know that we are actively working towards a uniformed solution to roll out ABRSM exam options across the USA, and the rest of the world.  Given that the pandemic has affected each country, city, and region differently, we've had the difficult task of ensuring equal accessibility while maintaining the same standards and quality in our exams.  As such, I want to update you with a quick reference for relevant information specific to the state of TEXAS:

PRACTICAL GRADE EXAMS - In Person Exam

1. What is it:  https://us.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/what-is-a-graded-music-exam/

2. 2021-SpringOffering:  Suspended due to COVID19.

3. How do I register:  Unavailable at this time

4. When will the exam take place:  We are preparing for Fall 2021.  Entry period will be announced

5. Can I start preparing for this:  Yes, absolutely!  New 2021-2022 Piano syllabus has also been released!  

PERFORMANCE GRADE EXAMS - Remotely Assessed Exam

1. What is it:  https://us.abrsm.org/en/performancegrades/

2. 2021 Offering:  Available as video submission,  Registration ongoing

3. How do I register:  Create an online portal HERE!

4. When will the exam take place:  Applicants (account holders) are able to select the date you wish to upload your video via the online portal.  The videos will then be reviewed by examiners, with your marking/results sent to you online.

5. Can I start preparing for this:  Yes!  Please see the detailed syllabus here:  https://us.abrsm.org/media/64528/00-qualification-specification-music-performance-grades-290620.pdf

PAPER-BASED THEORY EXAMS - In Person Exams

1. What is it:  https://us.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/music-theory-exams/

2. 2021-Spring Offering:  Suspended due to COVID-19.  Please see ABRSM website for upcoming offerings.

3. How do I register:  Not available at this time.

4. When will the exam take place:  We are working to offer in-person exams for grades 6-8 soon.  Please see ABRSM website for updates.

5. Can I start preparing for this:  Yes!  Please see the detailed syllabus here:  https://us.abrsm.org/media/62974/theory_syll_master_2018.pdf

ONLINE THEORY EXAMS - Remotely Assessed Exams

1. What is it:  https://us.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/online-theory/

2. 2020-Spring Offering:  March session suspended but upcoming options available HERE.  

3. How do I register:  Create an online portal HERE!

4. When will the exam take place:  Various dates available HERE.  

5. Can I start preparing for this:  Yes!  Please see the detailed syllabus here:  https://us.abrsm.org/media/64639/music-theory-syllabus-outline-grades-1-5-from-2020.pdf  .   Please note that online theory exams will become available for grades 1-5 only with grades 6-8 remaining as paper-based.

ABRSM Main Website Update:   30 June – Performance Grades and Practical and Music Theory exams

• We’ve now published further information about our remotely-assessed Performance Grades. We will be gradually rolling out Performance Grades internationally, starting before the end of 2020, following their initial launch in the UK. We’ll let you know more about future exam dates as soon as we can.  In the meantime, you can find out more about these exams here.

• Unfortunately, there is still uncertainty around how and when we can begin to offer face-to-face Practical exams. We recognise that the worldwide response to the coronavirus pandemic will continue to disrupt travel and large gatherings of candidates. We are monitoring the situation and doing all we can to get these exams up and running again. However, everything we do must be in line with guidance from both your government and the UK government to ensure the safety of learners, teachers, examiners and staff. 

• We are also accelerating our plans to move Music Theory assessment at Grades 1 to 5 to an online exam, instead of a paper-based one. In August we will be piloting an online Music Theory exam in the UK. This is a first step before we can offer online assessments at Grades 1 to 5 in more countries. Grade 6 to 8 Music Theory exams will continue as paper-based assessments for everyone, in all countries.  We will share more information about our Music Theory plans in the week beginning 13 July.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work out the best options for the safe delivery of our assessments. We will provide updates on the availability of all our exams and assessments as soon as we can. 

For more details and updates, visit ABRSM website at:  https://us.abrsm.org/en/latestupdates/

• When will I receive my Theory results from March 2020 exam?

  • Due to post office and headquarter closure in London during the month of March, the grading of these exams were severely delayed.   As of this announcement, operations have now begun to reopen and the exam results for the Texas region is due to be released in the next few weeks.  Exact date is TBA at this time, but we have now moved out of the backlog queue.  

  • For more details from ABRSM head office, please see HERE.

  • Please note that if your payment for this Theory exam declined, or if you carry a balance for an exam you already took, your results will be withheld.  Please be sure to check your records to ensure that your applicant account is up-to-date.

• When will I receive my Practical exam refund for the Spring (Apr-June 2020) session?

  • Due to the pandemic and lockdown, all ABRSM head office personnel are working remotely from home, and some have been furloughed.  Similarly, the accounting department in the USA is operating on reduced capacity.   However, at the time of this announcement, the reconciliation process for our Texas region has been rectified, and we will now be moved forward into the refunding phase.  

  • Please review your account records between February - March to see exactly when and if you were charged by Peters ABRSM Agency.  If your payment did not go through and you are thereby not charged by ABRSM, you will not receive a refund for the session.  

  • Refunds will be processed in the same form of payment submitted at the time of application.

• Will there be online application or online exams available in the near future?

  • Currently online applications are available in the UK and some countries in Asia only.  There are ongoing efforts to rollout the same access for the US regions in the near future.  The exact date is to be announced.   Please read more about the online application HERE and online/remote exams HERE. 

  • In the meantime, if you are a returning applicant, especially one affected by the most recent exam cancellation, you are welcomed to reapply for the Fall 2020 exam session using the existing application forms you've already submitted, provided that you resubmit a new payment for the new exam dates.   For exact details on how to reapply in this manner, please contact me directly.

  • The entry deadline for the Fall session remains August 15, 2020.

• Are the requirements from the syllabus / exam pieces still valid next session?

  • All syllabus carry a 1-year overlap for regions outside the UK.  Therefore, depending on the end date of the syllabus you’re using, it may be valid.  For example, if your syllabus is for 2017-2019, then its contents are valid until the end of 2020 for Texas applicants.  If the syllabus reads 2016-2018, then it is no longer valid in 2020.

  • There will be newly released Piano Syllabus in July to be used for the 2021-2022 sessions.  Please find out more about the exciting new updates in repertoire, scales and the introduction of 'Initial Grades' HERE!  Please do note that this new syllabus is only to be used starting in the 2021 year rather than the Fall of 2020.  Students may certainly begin preparing for the new requirements in 2020, but will then sit for a 2021 exam using the new syllabus.

• How do I motivate my student/child to keep up with progress?

  • Understandably, this has been a very difficult time for everyone, including young people.   Music has always been a source of solidarity throughout the ages, and continues to be a powerful presence, especially during this time of uncertainty.   As a music educator and advocate, I stand with my colleagues around the world in making this a continuing reality for everyone.  To that end, I want to make the following resources available for all of our ABRSM constituents in the Texas region in hopes that you will find the  much needed support and camaraderie.   I have therefore made the following opportunities available to ABRSM-TX applicants during the summer months.   

    • • 1.  Teachers & Parents -- Digital Resources @ Your Fingertips!     Session II

        2.  All Applicants -- ABRSM State-Wide Summer Concert

        3.  By Invitation from #2 above -- ABRSM World Concert 

        4.  All new or returning candidates -- Sight-Reading Boot Camp and Aural Training Boot Camp

           1. 1. • Please check your email for details on the above or inquire here.

• Have the spring practical and June theory exams been canceled?

  • Yes.   Due to the Coronavirus all exams before July 1st, 2020 are canceled.   This means neither Practical exams nor Theory exams will be held in the Spring session (April - June).   We want all our examiners, candidates, accompanists, teachers, stewards to stay safe and well.

• Is the exam postponed until later?  Can my current application be transferred to the next session?

  • No.   All of the exams are CANCELLED globally and is not being postponed to a later date.  This means all applicants will be refunded their payment, and are encouraged to reapply for the next upcoming session again.

• How much will the refunds be for the canceled spring practical exams?

  • 100%.   Practical exam applicants will receive full refunds in the same method of payment made on the application.  Theory exam applications (for June exam) will not be processed.   Theory applications and payments will either be returned to sender, or shredded for your protection.

• When will the refunds for the spring practical exams be issued?

  • Refunds will be issued in due course.   Please bear with us as we all work as quickly as we can to process nearly 10,000 applicants during this time.  The ABRSM financial processing office for the US is doing this as quickly as possible under the extraordinary circumstance.  Thank you for your patience. 

• Are the requirements from the syllabus / exam pieces still valid next session?

  • All syllabus carry a 1-year overlap for regions outside the UK.  Therefore, depending on the end date of the syllabus you’re using, it may be valid.  For example, if your syllabus is for 2017-2019, then its contents are valid until the end of 2020 for Texas applicants.  If the syllabus reads 2016-2018, then it is no longer valid in 2020.

• When will I be able to apply for the next session?

  • The next entry period for both Practical and Theory exams is August 1-15 for the Winter session. 

ABRSM Theory Department has confirmed this morning that no JUNE exam will be held at this time.  As such, the April entry period (April 1-15) has been suspended and no Theory applications will be processed at this time.

If you have already sent in your application, it will be either returned to you or shredded for your protection.  Payments attached will likewise be shredded and unprocessed.  

The next Theory exam will be available on Saturday, November 7th, 2020.  The entry period for this session is August 1-15, 2020.

ABRSM recognises how important it is for teachers and their pupils to continue with 1-to-1 instrumental lessons wherever possible during this period when face to face lessons can’t happen.

In order for you to be able to use ABRSM books and resources, we are offering a licensing holiday from today until midnight on 17 July 2020 for 1-to-1 lessons using ABRSM publications via secure video conferencing platforms, such as Skype, Zoom, and MS Teams. This means you will be allowed to scan or copy and share music and other content from any ABRSM publication without having to hold up a book to the camera. There are a few rules to observe:

• ABRSM can only give permission for you to copy the works we own: these are easily identified by the ‘© ABRSM’ copyright line at the bottom of the first page of each specific piece of music.

• ABRSM will permit the copying/scanning of ABRSM publications only for the purposes of sharing these copies between the teacher and pupil during the private lesson.

• ABRSM cannot permit uploading of recorded 1-to-1 lessons onto public platforms. This is beyond the scope of the rights holiday we are offering.

We will update you on the status of this rights holiday and, if you have any queries, please contact syllabus@abrsm.ac.uk. In the meantime, why not use the Music Case app to set and track your music practice goals?

A Message from the Texas Rep

It is with a very, very heavy heart that I confirm ALL PRACTICAL EXAMS will be CANCELLED at this time.  The applies to all regions.

Please see below for the official announcement from the London Head Office.  You will see this same announcement updated on the website.  Please feel free to communicate with your student-families accordingly.

• Based on official and local advice, we have decided to suspend all Practical music exams outside the UK and Ireland from now until 1 July 2020, and our Representative will contact applicants with further guidance. We will update specific territories in due course in relation to exams after that date. We are sorry for the inconvenience, and thank you, at this challenging time, for your loyal support.

• This decision, taken after extremely careful consideration, affects all Practical Graded Music Exams, Diplomas, Choral Singing and Ensemble exams at all public centres and private visits. We will be in touch regarding Music Theory exams in the coming days.

Please know that all applicants affected will be due 100% refund .  This should be processed in the upcoming months.  If you are a parent or student preparing for exams under your teacher who applied on your behalf, please consult the teacher/applicant directly regarding the refund.

In an effort to prevent wider spread of this infectious virus, this has unfortunately become the proper course of action.  However, as an educator and musician myself, I do implore you to still make music a priority in your lives.  During this uncertain time, music can remain a constant in the lives of students, and a way to perhaps more creative outlets that we didn't have time for in the past.  Moreover, teachers and musicians who rely on lessons, gigs, and events have all seen these opportunities cancelled around the world with the blink of an eye.  More than ever, your teachers need your support.  I sincerely encourage you to not give up on music education at this time.

We will be in touch regarding Theory exam in June, as well as any new development both locally and internationally.  Thank you for your support and dedication and as always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.