New Percussion syllabus from 2020 out now!
Key dates
The new Percussion syllabus and supporting books will be available from 7 November 2019 for use in exams from 1 January 2020.
Syllabus overlap period
Candidates can start presenting repertoire from the new syllabus from 1 January 2020 and can present repertoire from the old syllabus until 31 December 2020 (all pieces and supporting tests must be from the same syllabus).
Exciting new repertoire
Our new Percussion syllabus offers over 80 exciting, newly commissioned pieces by leading percussion composers and educationalists. Learners can immerse themselves in innovative new repertoire, which offers:
- A variety of genres and styles from baroque and classical to swing, contemporary, jazz and modern.
- Solos, duets, accompanied and multi-percussion pieces.
- A flexible and accessible approach to percussion assessment, reflecting the musical and practical realities of the contemporary, multi-skilled world of percussion.
New exam structure
The new syllabus offers more flexibility than ever before and learners can focus on a single subject – Snare Drum, Timpani or Tuned Percussion exams –can perform across all three subjects in the Percussion (Combined) exam. There are also opportunities to play pieces accompanied by both piano and percussion across all subjects, as well as pieces for multi-percussion.
New supporting publications
To accompany the new syllabus we’ve published a suite of supporting books to help learners prepare for their exams. These books cover the four percussion subjects – Snare Drum, Timpani, Tuned Percussion and Percussion (Combined) – and include:
Percussion Exam Pieces and Studies
- Available for Grades 1 to 5, one book per grade
- Five pieces per instrument strand, per grade – 15 pieces total per book.
- Also includes four technical studies for each grade – two Snare Drum, two Timpani
- Pull-out score containing duet parts and accompaniments
Principal Percussion
- Available for Grades 6-8, one book for all three grades
- Feature nine newly commissioned pieces - three per grade, one per instrument strand
Percussion Scales and Arpeggios
- Available for Grades 1-5 and 6-8
- Suitable for Tuned Percussion exams, or Tuned Percussion element in combined exam (if a candidate chooses to sit Scales and Arpeggios over a Technical Study)
Percussion Sight-Reading
- Available books for Grades 1-5 and 6-8
- Includes Snare Drum, Timpani and Tuned Percussion sight-reading pieces
Percussion Studies
- Available for Grades 6-8, one book for all three grades
- Contains four studies per grade - two Snare Drum, two Timpani