Now that the dust has settled I have a closer look at what the Grades 1 - 5 ABRSM Music Theory online exams will look like. A big shout-out to my year 13 pupils who took their Grade 8 Music Theory remotely and braved the computer assessed exam in a last minute exam entry - and they all PASSED! In a sense this has been a sort of pilot exam before the actual pilot of the exams starting in July. All change is uncomfortable but I’m sure we can navigate this. Throughout many changes over the years ABRSM have maintained their academic integrity and I’m sure this will continue to be the case. They will also continue to offer ongoing support to students and teachers alike, so I’m sure all will be well. We just need to gather our thoughts and keep studying. At the end of the day music will always be music and study is always the key to success.

Music Theory Video Lesson Playlists
ABRSM Grade 1 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 2 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 3 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 4 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 5 Playlist

ABRSM Past Exam Practice Papers Playlist

Trinity College London Music Theory Grade 1 Playlist

Starting study in any subject can be daunting. When we first start to look into a topic we can be overwhelmed at just how much we don’t know, and it just doesn’t seem like it’s sinking in. But don’t give up! Learning is a journey, and we all learn in different ways and at a different pace. If you keep at it you can only get better. Let the acknowledgement of your lack of knowledge be the motivation to drive you to want to learn more. We all hit barriers to our learning, but it’s a process. Enjoy the journey and keep studying!

Music Theory Video Lesson Playlists
ABRSM Grade 1 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 2 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 3 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 4 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 5 Playlist

ABRSM Past Exam Practice Papers Playlist

Trinity College London Music Theory Grade 1 Playlist

ABRSM have announced their plans for music theory grades 1 - 5 to move to on-line remote exams. They say that the only thing constant in life is change, and so change is inevitable. This move to taking exams via a computer at home raises various concerns and queries. No doubt as more information become available many questions will be answered. However, these are my first thoughts about the move and some of my experiences of on-line music exams, and writing music using computer software.
ABRSM Grade 1 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 2 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 3 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 4 Playlist

ABRSM Grade 5 Playlist

ABRSM Past Exam Practice Papers Playlist

Missing singing in choir concerts and rehearsing with fellow choristers each week sent me rummaging through my choir music stash. To cheer myself up I re-visit old choir scores and recall anecdotal stories that this music triggers. I remember some of my favourite choruses and reminisce bygone concerts. I hope you enjoying sharing some magical musical moments with me as I think of the works from modern composers such as Eric Whitacre Benjamin Britten and Aaron Copeland, as well as older classics from Vivaldi, Mozart and Verdi - and others. The list could go on but I try and reign it in and be selective.

Seal Lullaby

In paradisum

Afton Water - John Rutter

O Can Ye Sew Cushions - John Rutter

Lacrymosa - Mozart Requiem

He watching over Israel

Nicholas and the Pickled Boys

All We Like Sheep

Ching-a-Ring Chaw

Quonium tu solus sanctus -Vivaldi Gloria

Dies Irae Verdi

Agnus Dei, Rossini

Cum Sancto Spirito - Rossini