ABRSM Music Theory Course

Open to both SMB and non-SMB students

What is ABRSM Music Theory?


ABRSM is a UK-based international organisation proposing high-quality music examinations for every classical instrument as well as for music theory. Examination levels range from Grade 1 (beginners) through Grade 8 (advanced).


ABRSM diplomas are recognised by music schools, colleges and conservatoires all over the world. Unlike the music examinations organised by most state education systems, including that of Belgium, ABRSM examinations are open to all, making them ideal for pupils who are taught privately.


ABRSM Music Theory at Grades 1 to 5 covers all the theory most musicians need and more or less corresponds to the theory taught in Belgian state music schools (academies), while the theory at Grades 6 to 8 is more advanced and focuses mainly on harmony and analysis.


It may be important to note that, for ABRSM examinations in Violin, Piano, Cello, Singing, etc. at Grade 6 or above, having previously obtained the diploma for ABRSM Music Theory Grade 5 or higher is a requirement.


Please note also that the ABRSM Music Theory course is a pure theory course. It is therefore not a full solfege course, as it does not teach practical elements such as ear training, sight-reading or singing. This is no doubt  because, in many countries, instrumental lessons, combined with orchestra, chamber music and/or choir practice, are expected to cover all practical aspects of musicianship training.


Practicalities


The course is open both to students of Suzuki Music Brussels and to non-SMB students. However, there are minimum age and level requirements (see "Prerequisites" below).


For Grades 1 to 3 classes are in person and take place on Monday evenings at Ecole Eos in Etterbeek. The first year covers Grade 1 while Grades 2 and 3 are covered in the second year. Both classes take place at 17:30 and last 30 minutes. The course follows the FWB's school calendar, except that there are a few Mondays off. Each pupil must have a parent (or other adult) present at each lesson. The parent is expected to help the pupil surmount any difficulties, including difficulties of language, since the course is in English (but teachers can, if necessary, provide translation and explain concepts also in French).


From Grade 4, classes are online. Lessons last 30 minutes. The presence and help of a parent is generally not required. The schedule and calendar is arranged in consultation with the participants' parents.


Standard ABRSM coursebooks are used. These provide very clear explanations as well as exercises, which are set as homework. The workload per week is kept light: at Grade 1, generally, only half a chapter is looked at each week; from Grade 2 the pace rises to one chapter a week.


There is one coursebook per Grade. When all the chapters of a coursebook have been taught, some sample examination papers are set as homework so as to fully revise the material for each Grade before moving on to the next. There is no need to take a real ABRSM examination until Grade 5; however, if a pupil or parent wants to take a real examination (for example, because they plan to move abroad), that is of course possible.


At Grades 1 to 3, success in completing a Grade course is defined as having obtained Distinction in a sample paper at least once, or Merit at least twice. At higher levels, Distinction should be obtained at least twice.


Prerequisites


For Grade 1: the pupil should be at least 7 years old and should have had at least two years of lessons on their instrument OR be recommended by their single-lesson teacher as having the level necessary to take the proposed Grade's course.


For Grades 2 and above: the pupil should have either successfully completed the previous year's course OR have obtained the real ABRSM diploma for that grade OR be recommended by their single-lesson teacher as having the level necessary to take the proposed Grade's course.


Fees and details


Grades 1 to 3: Up to 240€ per pupil per year (+ 10% for non-SMB students)

Grades 4 to 8: Up to 252€ per pupil per year (+ 10% for non-SMB students)

ABRSM examination fees


Please note that at Grades 1 to 4 we do NOT require pupils to take real examinations, but only to be tested through sample exams. There is no added fee for those. Therefore, examination costs need to be taken into account only for Grades 5 to 8, unless, for any particular reason, a pupil needs to take the real exam already for a lower Grade.


The fees indicated below are those published by ABRSM for 2023.


At Grades 1 to 5, ABRSM Music Theory examinations are online and may be taken at any time of the year.

At Grades 6 to 8, ABRSM Music Theory examinations are in person and on paper. The precise date for the June 2024 examinations is not published yet but will probably be the first Saturday of June at 10:00.

For more Information


There will be an information session on Monday 4/09/2023 at 18:30 at Ecole Eos, 184 chaussée d'Etterbeek, 1040 Etterbeek. The entrance is on level B-2 and the meeting is one floor up, on level B-1. There will be a person at the door to orient you when you arrive.


If you can't make the meeting but have questions to ask you may also contact Alexis at alexis.oberreit@suzuki-music-brussels.be.