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

    1. Absil Allegro or Vivo: 1st or 3rd movt from Sonata for alto saxophone, Op. 115 (observing cadenzas) (Lemoine 24063)
    2. 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)
    3. Büsser Asturias for alto saxophone, Op. 84 (observing cadenza) (Leduc AL 21145)
    4. Grovlez Sarabande et Allegro for alto saxophone (Leduc AL 23218)
    5. 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)
    6. Paule Maurice Lou Cabridan (observing cadenza): No. 5 from Tableaux de Provence for alto saxophone (Lemoine 23953)
    7. Gary Schocker Allegro moderato: 1st movt from Sonata for alto saxophone (Presser)
    8. Singelée Concertino for alto saxophone, Op. 78 (Lemoine 26259: published with Opp. 83 and 91)
    9. Tcherepnine Mi temps (observing cadenza) and Course: 2nd and 3rd movts from Sonatine Sportive for alto saxophone (Leduc AL 20090)
    10. 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

    1. R. R. Bennett Samba Triste: 1st movt from Three Piece Suite for alto saxophone (Novello NOV120804)
    2. John Carmichael Obsession (Habanera) and Bahama Rhumba (The Caribbean): Nos 2 and 3 from Latin American Dances for alto saxophone (Emerson E486)
    3. Roderick Elms Cygncopations for alto or tenor saxophone (Camden Music CM258: Eb/Bb edition)
    4. Françaix Any three dances (observing repeats in No. 1): from Cinq danses exotiques for alto saxophone (Schott ED 4745)
    5. 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)
    6. Trevor Hold Tango and Charleston for alto saxophone (observing cadenza) (Thames TH978351)
    7. Wolfgang Jacobi Allegro ma non troppo: 1st movt from Sonata for alto saxophone (Bourne)
    8. Duncan Lamont More Brothers. The Light Touch for Alto Saxophone, Book 2 (Stainer & Bell H388)
    9. James Rae Gymnopedie Bleu and East Coast Mainline: 2nd and 3rd movts from Sonatina for alto saxophone (Reedimensions RD002)
    10. Nigel Wood Schwarzer Tänzer for saxophone (Saxtet Publications: Eb/Bb edition)

    LIST C

    1. Chris Allen Allegretto (scherzando): 3rd movt from Sonatina for solo saxophone (Emerson E589)
    2. J. S. Bach Menuet 1, Menuet 2 and Gigue: from Suite No. 1 for solo saxophone, trans. Londeix (Lemoine 24054)
    3. Rob Buckland Abstraction. Changing Times for Solo Saxophone (Astute Music)
    4. Alan Bullard Wandering Sax or Sax Polonaise: No. 59 or No. 60 from Sixty for Sax (ABRSM)
    5. P. M. Dubois Tango: No. 14 from 17 Études dansantes for solo saxophone (Billaudot GB5740)
    6. Graham Fitkin Jim and Pam and Pam and Jim for solo instrument (Fitkin)
    7. Kreutzer Study in E. No. 80 from 80 Graded Studies for Saxophone, Book 2 (Faber)
    8. 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


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