For the next entry in our series on selecting pieces for Trinity Woodwind exams, we focus on the requirements for Clarinet and Saxophone. We’ll be guiding you through what’s required at each level — for both face-to-face and digital exams — so you’ll know exactly what you need to prepare and perform with confidence.
Exam level and format
Before we get started, it's important to note that there are differences in requirements between face-to-face and the two different types of digital exams available: Technical pathway and Repertoire-only pathway. The requirements/assessed areas for each of these exams are as follows:
Face-to-face
- 3 pieces
- Technical work
- Supporting tests
Digital: Technical pathway
- 3 pieces
- Technical work selection
- Overall performance
Digital: Repertoire-only pathway
Common requirements across all Clarinet and Saxophone exams
Pieces are divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Group A pieces are accompanied, whereas Group B pieces must be performed unaccompanied.
Candidates choose three pieces - four for Repertoire-only pathway exams – including at least two pieces from Group A and one from Group B.
For all exams, one piece performed may be an own composition. However, where an accompanied own composition is performed, this must replace a Group A piece. Similarly, an unaccompanied own composition must replace the Group B piece. Any accompaniments should not be overly supportive of the candidate part, so that an assessment can be made. Please refer to the Woodwind syllabus for the parameters for writing your own composition.
Repertoire lists
Full repertoire lists for the instruments covered in this blog can be found below:
Clarinet
Initial Grade
Only one duet is permitted.
Example piece selection: Face-to-face or Technical pathway
- On the Bright Side by Rae – Group A - duet
- Gimme! by Perinpanayagam – Group A
- Chocolate Novelty, no. 3 by Rae – Group B
Example piece selection: Repertoire-only pathway
- Auntie’s Andante by Hammond – Group A - duet
- Can-Can by Offenbach, arr. Mauz – Group A
- Spam and Eggs by Gumbley – Group B
- Dark Sea by Radford - Group B
Grade 1 – Grade 3
Only one duet is permitted.
One of the pieces performed may be exchanged for another from the same group on the corresponding Jazz Clarinet repertoire list.
Example piece selection: Grade 1 Face-to-face or Technical pathway
- Two for Tea! By Rae – Group A – duet
- Gorilla Gavotte by Rae - Group A
- Rock On! By R Purcell – Group B Grade 1 Jazz Clarinet
Example piece selection: Grade 3 Repertoire-only pathway
- Quirk by Barratt – Group A – duet
- Fascinating Rhythm by Gershwin, arr. Wastall – Group A
- They Can’t Take That Away From Me by Gershwin, arr. Gout – Group A Grade 3 Jazz Clarinet
- Backspace Odyssey by Street – Group B
Grade 4 – Grade 5
One of the pieces performed may be exchanged for another from the same group on the corresponding Jazz Clarinet repertoire list.
Example piece selection: Grade 4, Face-to-face or Technical pathway
- In the Hall of the Mountain King (from Peer Gynt, suite no. 1, op. 46) by Grieg, arr. Adlam – Group A
- Peacherine Rag by Joplin, arr. Ledbury – Group A Grade 4 Jazz Clarinet
- Neeps ‘n’ Tatties, no. 38 by Rae – Group B
Example piece selection: Grade 5, Repertoire-only pathway
- Basque Folk Song by White – Group A
- The Grasshoppers’ Dance by Bucalossi arr. Lane - Group A
- Allegretto by Berr – Group B
- Neon Nights by Holcombe – Group B Grade 5 Jazz Clarinet
Grade 6 - Grade 8
Where Eb or bass clarinet items are offered, only one may be chosen to be performed.
One of the pieces performed may be exchanged for another from the same group on the corresponding Jazz Clarinet repertoire list.
Example piece selection: Grade 6, Face-to-face or Technical pathway
- Ave Maria by J S Bach/Gounod arr. Davenport – Group A – bass clarinet only
- Espagnolade by Guyot – Group A
- Dawn Song by Meechan – Group B
Example piece selection: Grade 8, Repertoire-only pathway
- Fantasisie Concertante by Lecail, trans, Voxman – Group A – Eb clarinet only
- Loneliness (2nd movt from Clarinet Sonata) by Baker – Group A
- Mélodie et scherzetto, op. 68 by Coquard – Group A
- Cascades (2) by R Purcell – Group B Grade 8 Jazz Clarinet
Saxophone
At all grades, candidates can use one or any combination of saxophones.
One of the pieces performed may be exchanged for another from the same group on the corresponding Jazz Saxophone repertoire list.
Grade 1 – Grade 3
Only one duet is permitted.
Example piece selection: Grade 1, Face-to-face or Technical pathway
- I’ve Got the Last Word by Degg – Group A (Alto/baritone saxophone in Eb) – duet
- Perfect Sense by Hampton – Group A (Alto/baritone saxophone in Eb)
- Funky Pheasant, no. 15 by Mower – Group B Grade 1 Jazz Saxophone
Example piece selection: Grade 2, Repertoire-only pathway
- Vernon by Harris – Group A (Alto/baritone saxophone in Eb) – duet
- Nina by Pergolesi (attrib.), arr, Hagues – Group A (Soprano/tenor saxophone in Bb)
- Cucumber Wallbanger, no. 20 by Mower – Group B
- Self-Employment Blues, no. 21 by Rae – Group B Grade 2 Jazz Saxophone
Grade 4 – Grade 8
Example piece selection: Grade 5, Face-to-face or Technical pathway
- Module 5: B* by J Wilson – Group A (Soprano/tenor saxophone in Bb) Grade 5 Jazz Saxophone
- Starwatching by Buckland – Group A
- Fake Five, no. 58 by Rae – Group B
*piece includes improvisation
Example piece selection: Grade 7, Repertoire-only pathway
- Yardbird Suite by Parker – Group A (Alto/baritone saxophone in Eb) Grade 7 Jazz Saxophone
- Hungarian Dance no. 1 by Brahms arr. Teal – Group A (Soprano/tenor saxophone in Bb)
- Rhumba Fiesta by Weston – Group A (Soprano/tenor saxophone in Bb)
- Bodacious Funktitude, no. 25 by Mower – Group B
We hope this information helps you make your pieces selections for your exam. If you are looking for guidance on selecting repertoire for other Woodwind instruments, you can find our post choosing Flute and Recorder repertoire here. Look out for guidance on selecting pieces for Jazz Woodwind and Oboe and Bassoon exams coming soon!
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