At Trinity College London, we’re proud to offer woodwind candidates a wide range of repertoire choices for their graded exams. In the last in our series on selecting pieces for Trinity Woodwind exams, we focus on the requirements for oboe and bassoon, 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 Oboe and Bassoon 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.
Cor anglais and contrabassoons may only be used where stated in the repertoire list.
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:
Grade 1 – Grade 3
Only one duet is permitted.
Example piece selection: Oboe Grade 1, Face-to-face or Technical pathway
- Natasha’s Hedgehog by Lyons – Group A
- Hot Chilli by Wedgwood - Group A
- Sleigh Ride by Loane & Duckett – Group B
Example piece selection: Bassoon Grade 3, Repertoire-only pathway
- Over the Rainbow by Arlen, arr. Lawrance – Group A
- Tartan[CR1] Vicars by Lyons – Group A - duet
- Entr’acte (from Carmen) by Bizet arr. Sheen – Group A
- A Bunch of Fives, no. 9 by Rae – Group B
Grade 4 – Grade 5
There are no additional requirements to take into account at these grades.
Example piece selection: Bassoon Grade 4, Face-to-face or Technical pathway
- Extract from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Dukas arr. Forbes – Group A
- Inter City Stomp by Norton – Group A
- The Gaffer, no. 15 by Rae – Group B
Example piece selection: Oboe Grade 5, Repertoire-only pathway
- Sentimental Serenade by Bullard - Group A
- Ophelia by Harris – Group A
- Brainstorm by Davis – Group B
- The Maypole by Salter – Group B
Grade 6 - Grade 8
For oboe exams, only one cor anglais item may be chosen.
For bassoon exams, only one contrabassoon item may be chosen.
Example piece selection: Oboe Grade 6, Face-to-face or Technical pathway
- Humoreske, no. 4 by Green – Group A – cor anglais only
- Polka by Dring – Group A
- Can I Get There by Candlelight? by Woolfenden – Group B
Example piece selection: Bassoon Grade 8, Repertoire-only pathway
- Aztec Ceremonies, op. 37 by Waterhouse – Group A – contrabassoon only
- Romance by Elgar – Group A
- Allegro non molto (1st movt from Concerto in C, RV 472) by Vivaldi – Group A
- Bizaria by Braun – 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, take a look at our previous posts outlining the requirements for Flute and Recorder and Clarinet and Saxophone exams.
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