Your alto/baritone saxophone grade 8 ABRSM exam will be marked out of 150 and you will need a total of 100 marks to Pass, 120 marks for a Merit and 130 marks for a Distinction. The exam comprises of four main areas:
Pieces
In your exam you are required to play three pieces (worth up to 30 marks each), one from each of the three lists, A, B and C below:
LIST A
- Absil Allegro or Vivo: 1st or 3rd movt from Sonata for alto saxophone, Op. 115 (observing cadenzas) (Lemoine 24063)
- J. S. Bach Adagio and Allegro: 2nd and 3rd movts from Sonata in G minor, BWV 1020, trans. Harle (Universal UE 17774: Eb/Bb edition)
- Büsser Asturias for alto saxophone, Op. 84 (observing cadenza) (Leduc AL 21145)
- Grovlez Sarabande et Allegro for alto saxophone (Leduc AL 23218)
- Koechlin Pour la longueur de la respiration: No. 9 from Études for alto saxophone (Billaudot EFM1008). Also available as: No. 7 from Koechlin 15 études, Op. 188 (Billaudot GB7810)
- Paule Maurice Lou Cabridan (observing cadenza): No. 5 from Tableaux de Provence for alto saxophone (Lemoine 23953)
- Gary Schocker Allegro moderato: 1st movt from Sonata for alto saxophone (Presser)
- Singelée Concertino for alto saxophone, Op. 78 (Lemoine 26259: published with Opp. 83 and 91)
- Tcherepnine Mi temps (observing cadenza) and Course: 2nd and 3rd movts from Sonatine Sportive for alto saxophone (Leduc AL 20090)
- Vivaldi Adagio and Vivace: 1st and 2nd movts from Sonata in G minor, RV 28, trans. Leonard for alto saxophone (Christina Leonard Publications CLP005)
LIST B
- R. R. Bennett Samba Triste: 1st movt from Three Piece Suite for alto saxophone (Novello NOV120804)
- John Carmichael Obsession (Habanera) and Bahama Rhumba (The Caribbean): Nos 2 and 3 from Latin American Dances for alto saxophone (Emerson E486)
- Roderick Elms Cygncopations for alto or tenor saxophone (Camden Music CM258: Eb/Bb edition)
- Françaix Any three dances (observing repeats in No. 1): from Cinq danses exotiques for alto saxophone (Schott ED 4745)
- Bill Holcombe Allegro (observing cadenza) (last two notes of movt may be played an 8ve lower) or Allegro con brio: 1st or 3rd movt from Blues Concerto for alto saxophone (Musicians Publications)
- Trevor Hold Tango and Charleston for alto saxophone (observing cadenza) (Thames TH978351)
- Wolfgang Jacobi Allegro ma non troppo: 1st movt from Sonata for alto saxophone (Bourne)
- Duncan Lamont More Brothers. The Light Touch for Alto Saxophone, Book 2 (Stainer & Bell H388)
- James Rae Gymnopedie Bleu and East Coast Mainline: 2nd and 3rd movts from Sonatina for alto saxophone (Reedimensions RD002)
- Nigel Wood Schwarzer Tänzer for saxophone (Saxtet Publications: Eb/Bb edition)
LIST C
- Chris Allen Allegretto (scherzando): 3rd movt from Sonatina for solo saxophone (Emerson E589)
- J. S. Bach Menuet 1, Menuet 2 and Gigue: from Suite No. 1 for solo saxophone, trans. Londeix (Lemoine 24054)
- Rob Buckland Abstraction. Changing Times for Solo Saxophone (Astute Music)
- Alan Bullard Wandering Sax or Sax Polonaise: No. 59 or No. 60 from Sixty for Sax (ABRSM)
- P. M. Dubois Tango: No. 14 from 17 Études dansantes for solo saxophone (Billaudot GB5740)
- Graham Fitkin Jim and Pam and Pam and Jim for solo instrument (Fitkin)
- Kreutzer Study in E. No. 80 from 80 Graded Studies for Saxophone, Book 2 (Faber)
- James Rae Devil’s Brew: No. 36 from 36 More Modern Studies for Solo Saxophone (Universal UE 21613)
Scales & Arpeggios
As part of your exam you are also required to play scales & arpeggios from memory (worth up to 21 marks) - please see the ABRSM Saxophone Grades 1-8 Scale Book
Sight-Reading Test
You will also be required to sight-read some music that you have not seen before (worth up to 21 marks) - to prepare for this part of your exam please see the ABRSM Saxophone Grades 6-8 Sight-Reading Book which has a selection of specimen sight-reading pieces.
Aural Tests
In another part of your exam you will be required to complete a set of aural tests challenging your musicianship (worth up to 18 marks). To help prepare for this please see the ABRSM Aural Training in Practice Grades 6-8 Book (a guide with tests) and/or ABRSM Specimen Sight-Reading Tests Grade 8 Book (specimen tests).
*Information correct at time of publishing 14.03.16