Your grade 5 viola 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. J. S. Bach Gigue: from Cello Suite No. 1 in G, BWV 1007. Bach Six Cello Suites, trans. Rowland-Jones (Peters EP 7489) or trans. Forbes (Chester CH01401)
    2. Blavet Sicilienne. No. 1 from L’Alto classique, Vol. C, arr. Classens (Combre P04438)
    3. Daquin Rigaudon. No. 9 from L’Alto classique, Vol. C, arr. Classens (Combre P04438)
    4. Flackton Allegro moderato: 2nd movt from Sonata No. 4 in C minor, Op. 2 No. 8 (Schott ED 10957 )
    5. Haydn Hungarian Rondo. More Time Pieces for Viola, Vol. 2, arr. Lamb and Meredith (ABRSM)
    6. Telemann Gigue (viola to play in tuttis): 7th movt from Suite in D, arr. Bergmann and Forbes (Schott ED 10196)

    LIST B

    1. Bridge Berceuse. Bridge Four Pieces for Viola (Faber)
    2. Finzi Carol (ignoring ossia): No. 3 from Five Bagatelles, trans. Leigh Jacobs (Boosey & Hawkes)
    3. Mozart Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen (from The Magic Flute). Time Pieces for Viola, Vol. 2, arr. Bass and Harris (ABRSM)
    4. Reger Romanze, arr. Birtel (Schott ED 21220)
    5. Rimsky-Korsakov Chanson indoue (Hindu Song). No. 2 from L’Alto classique, Vol. C, arr. Classens (Combre P04438)
    6. Schumann Dedication (Op. 25 No. 1) More Time Pieces for Viola, Vol. 2, arr. Lamb and Meredith (ABRSM)

    LIST C

    1. Rebecca Clarke Chinese Puzzle. Rebecca Clarke Shorter Pieces for Viola (OUP)
    2. Joplin The Entertainer. Joplin Three Ragtimes, arr. Birtel (Schott ED 20459)
    3. Martinů Pierrot’s Serenade (from Puppets, Book 3). Time Pieces for Viola, Vol. 2, arr. Bass and Harris (ABRSM)
    4. Noack First section only (observing DS but omitting Trio): from Heinzelmännchens Wachtparade (Flibbertigibbets), Op. 5 (Schott ED0 9793)
    5. Prokofiev The Montagues and the Capulets (from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64). More Time Pieces for Viola, Vol. 2, arr. Lamb and Meredith (ABRSM)
    6. Trad. American Boston Fancy. No. 16 from Solos for the Viola Player, arr. Doktor (G. Schirmer HL50490424)

    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 Viola Grades 1-5 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 Viola Grades 1-5 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 4-5 Book (a guide with tests) and/or ABRSM Specimen Sight-Reading Tests Grades 4-5 Book (specimen tests).

     

    *Information correct at time of publishing 14.03.16


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