--- title: Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Clarinet and Saxophone exams description: Discover essential tips for selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Clarinet and Saxophone exams, covering all grades and exam formats. image: https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/hubfs/AdobeStock_337789820.jpg --- ![Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Clarinet and Saxophone exams](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/hubfs/AdobeStock_337789820.jpg) # Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Clarinet and Saxophone exams ![Picture of Natalie Christopher](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/3d8a53424dfc7105a1c2d2b290bcf246) BY: [Natalie Christopher](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/author/natalie-christopher) 15 April 2026 Reading time: 8 mins [![Share on facebook](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/hubfs/_may-2020-blog/pink-icons/facebook.svg) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/selecting-pieces-for-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams) [![Share on linkedin](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/hubfs/_may-2020-blog/pink-icons/linkedin.svg) ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/selecting-pieces-for-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams) [![Share on twitter](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/hubfs/_may-2020-blog/pink-icons/twitter.svg) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/selecting-pieces-for-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams&url=https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/selecting-pieces-for-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams&source=tweetbutton&text=Selecting+pieces+for+your+Trinity+College+London+Clarinet+and+Saxophone+exams) For the next entry in our series on selecting pieces for [Trinity Woodwind exams](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource/?id=7385&_gl=1*150ug29*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDI0MTg2NDkxLjE3NzUwNDkxMDM.*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NzUwNDkxMDIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzUwNDkzNzEkajU3JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams&utm_term=trinity-woodwind-exams&utm_content=textlink), 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](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/digital/digital-grades-diplomas/classical-jazz?_gl=1*tx2535*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTQxMTkzOTgwMi4xNzUzMDk1Mjk3*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NTMwOTUyOTYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTMwOTUyOTYkajYwJGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-violin-scottish-traditional-fiddle-and-viola&utm_term=digital-exams&utm_content=textlink) 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 - 4 pieces ** ** ###### **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](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource/?id=7385&_gl=1*1meuaps*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDI0MTg2NDkxLjE3NzUwNDkxMDM.*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NzUwNDkxMDIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzUwNTAwNzEkajU4JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams&utm_term=woodwind-syllabus&utm_content=textlink) 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](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/woodwind/clarinet-pieces?_gl=1*yqjfps*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDI0MTg2NDkxLjE3NzUwNDkxMDM.*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NzUwNDkxMDIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzUwNTAwNzEkajU4JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams&utm_term=clarinet&utm_content=textlink) - [Saxophone](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/woodwind/saxophone-pieces?_gl=1*ixjqsu*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDI0MTg2NDkxLjE3NzUwNDkxMDM.*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NzUwNDkxMDIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzUwNTAwNzEkajU4JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams&utm_term=saxophone&utm_content=textlink) ###### **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](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/woodwind/jazz-clarinet-pieces?_gl=1*13b5yx5*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDI0MTg2NDkxLjE3NzUwNDkxMDM.*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NzUwNDkxMDIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzUwNTAwNzEkajU4JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams&utm_term=jazz-clarinet-repertoire-list&utm_content=textlink). 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](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/woodwind/jazz-clarinet-pieces?_gl=1*13b5yx5*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDI0MTg2NDkxLjE3NzUwNDkxMDM.*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NzUwNDkxMDIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzUwNTAwNzEkajU4JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams&utm_term=jazz-clarinet-repertoire-list&utm_content=textlink). 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](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/woodwind/jazz-clarinet-pieces?_gl=1*13b5yx5*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDI0MTg2NDkxLjE3NzUwNDkxMDM.*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NzUwNDkxMDIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzUwNTAwNzEkajU4JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams&utm_term=jazz-clarinet-repertoire-list&utm_content=textlink). 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](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/woodwind/jazz-saxophone-pieces?_gl=1*f4okq6*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjE5MDkwMDcuMTc3NTA1MDk0OQ..*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NzUwNTA5NDgkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzUwNTA5NDgkajYwJGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-clarinet-and-saxophone-exams&utm_term=jazz-saxophone-repertoire-list&utm_content=textlink). ##### 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, check out our other blogs in the series on choosing pieces for [Flute and Recorder](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/selecting-pieces-for-flute-and-recorder-exams) and [Jazz Woodwind](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/selecting-pieces-for-your-jazz-woodwind-exam). Look out for guidance on selecting pieces for Oboe and Bassoon exams coming soon! 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