--- title: "Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Strings exam: Cello, Double Bass and Harp" description: Trinity's Cello, Double bass and Harp repertoire lists offers candidates more choice than ever, but how do you make sure you pick the right pieces? Read on for our guide! image: https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/hubfs/AdobeStock_261369550.jpg --- ![Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Strings exam: Cello, Double Bass and Harp](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/hubfs/AdobeStock_261369550.jpg) # Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Strings exam: Cello, Double Bass and Harp ![Picture of Natalie Christopher](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/3d8a53424dfc7105a1c2d2b290bcf246) BY: [Natalie Christopher](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/author/natalie-christopher) 17 July 2025 Reading time: 6 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-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp) [![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-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp) [![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-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp&url=https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp&source=tweetbutton&text=Selecting+pieces+for+your+Trinity+College+London+Strings+exam%3A+Cello%2C+Double+Bass+and+Harp) Trinity College London’s refreshed [Strings syllabus](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource/?id=8739&_gl=1*17n53vy*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjMwODY0NDUuMTc1MjIzOTc0MQ..*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NTIyMzk3NDEkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTIyMzk3NDEkajYwJGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp&utm_term=strings-syllabus&utm_content=textlink) is out now and with so many pieces to choose from, we want to make selecting repertoire for your exam as easy as possible. In this blog we’ll be looking at the requirements for [Cello](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource?id=10834&_gl=1*t5848h*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjMwODY0NDUuMTc1MjIzOTc0MQ..*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NTIyMzk3NDEkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTIyNDAwMTUkajYwJGwwJGgw), [Double Bass](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource?id=10835&_gl=1*zxatso*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDE3MDkwODUxLjE3NTIyNDAwNTI.*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NTIyNDAwNTIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTIyNDAwNTMkajU5JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp&utm_term=double-bass&utm_content=textlink&__hstc=45788219.3d9a0bc511de464c7011b63150c0091c.1752739306865.1752739306865.1752739306865.1&__hssc=45788219.1.1752739306865&__hsfp=1517589893) and [Harp](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource?id=10836&_gl=1*1j7ozix*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzY5MjAwNDUuMTc1MjI0MDA4OQ..*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NTIyNDAwODkkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTIyNDAwOTEkajU4JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp&utm_term=harp&utm_content=textlink) exams, highlighting many of the new pieces along the way. ###### 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*1x74e5f*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzY5MjAwNDUuMTc1MjI0MDA4OQ..*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NTIyNDAwODkkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTIyNDAwOTEkajU4JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp&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 ###### Repertoire lists  Full repertoire lists for the instruments covered in this blog can be found below:  - [Cello](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource?id=10834&_gl=1*t5848h*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjMwODY0NDUuMTc1MjIzOTc0MQ..*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NTIyMzk3NDEkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTIyNDAwMTUkajYwJGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp&utm_term=cello&utm_content=textlink) - [Double bass](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource?id=10835&_gl=1*zxatso*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDE3MDkwODUxLjE3NTIyNDAwNTI.*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NTIyNDAwNTIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTIyNDAwNTMkajU5JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp&utm_term=double-bass&utm_content=textlink) - [Harp](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource?id=10836&_gl=1*1j7ozix*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzY5MjAwNDUuMTc1MjI0MDA4OQ..*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NTIyNDAwODkkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTIyNDAwOTEkajU4JGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp&utm_term=harp&utm_content=textlink) ###### Own composition For all exams, one piece performed may be an own composition, but the requirements below must still be adhered to i.e. where it is stipulated that at least one piece from each group must be performed, this requirement must still be met and the own composition would be in place of the third or fourth piece. Please see the [Strings syllabus](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource/?id=8739&_gl=1*17n53vy*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjMwODY0NDUuMTc1MjIzOTc0MQ..*_ga_E3K7QGL4FT*czE3NTIyMzk3NDEkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTIyMzk3NDEkajYwJGwwJGgw&utm_source=uki-blog&utm_medium=blogpost&utm_campaign=selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp&utm_term=strings-syllabus&utm_content=textlink) for the parameters for writing your own composition. ###### Cello and Double Bass ##### Initial to Grade 3 Candidates choose three pieces from a single list; four for Repertoire-only pathway exams. One of these pieces may be a duet. Only one unaccompanied piece may be played. Example piece selection: Grade 2 Cello, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *Czech Folk Song, no.* 30 arr. Benoy & Burrows - duet - *The Pigeon on the Gate* arr. Martin - unaccompanied - *Gotcha!* by Kirkpatrick Example piece selection: Grade 3 Double Bass, Repertoire-only pathway - *Summer Term Rag, no. 7* by Cruttenden - *Calypso no. 97* by Holdstock arr. Emery - duet - *The Bandit Masquerade* by McDonagh - *Glwysen (The Fairest One)* by Jones, arr. Huw Jones ##### Grades 4-5 Candidates choose three pieces from a single list; four for Repertoire-only pathway exams. Only one unaccompanied piece may be played. Example piece selection: Grade 4 Double Bass, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *Swing it! no. 16* by Christie - *Habanera* by Bizet arr. Elliott - *Ska-Face* by Pogson Example piece selection: Grade 5 Cello, Repertoire-only pathway - *Swirling Arabesque* by Cohen - unaccompanied - *Ostinato in the Key of Jazz, no. 5* by Arens - *TV Tune, no. 15* by McCormack - *Una Lacrima* by Rossini, arr. Pejtsik ##### Grades 6-8 Pieces are divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Candidates choose three pieces - four for Repertoire-only pathway exams - and at least one piece from each group must be performed. Only one unaccompanied piece may be played. Example piece selection: Grade 7 Cello, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - Polonaise from *Suite no.2 *BWV 1067 by Bach, J.S, arr. Rémy - Group A - *Hallelujah* by Cohen, arr. Parkin - Group B - *Star of the County Down* arr. Kanneh-Mason - Group B - unaccompanied Example piece selection: Grade 8 Double Bass, Repertoire-only pathway - Nocturno by Cervera-Bret - Group A - *Salut d-amour, op. 12* by Elgar, ed. Drew - Group A - *Vocalise, op.34* by Rachmaninoff - Group A - *Waltz no.7* by Dragonetti - Group B - unaccompanied ###### Harp ##### Initial to Grade 3 Candidates choose three pieces from a single list; four for Repertoire-only pathway exams. All pieces can be performed on either a pedal or lever harp. Example piece selection: Initial Grade, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *The Two Little* Dogs by Bosio - *Waltz for Thumbelina* by Dunwoodie - *Into the Woods *by Rothstein Example piece selection: Grade 3, Repertoire-only pathway - *Walking on the Moon* by Dunwoodie - *Study no. 1* by Scott - *Usdi Yona (Little Bear**)* arr. Turner - *An Irish Lullaby* arr. Wilkinson ###### Pedal and Lever Harp ##### Grades 4-8 Candidates choose three pieces from a single list; four for Repertoire-only pathway exams. Example piece selection: Grade 6 Pedal Harp, Face-to-face and Technical pathway - *Longhouse Echoes* by Tan - *Au seuil de temple* by Tournier - *Hiraeth* by Williams Example piece selection: Grade 7 Lever Harp, Repertoire-only pathway - *Flying to the Fleadh* by Davey, arr. Hambly - *Chloe's Passion* by MacDonald, arr. Gilchrist - *Waves of Rush* by O'Rourke, arr. Gilchrist - *Release* by Thomsen We hope this information helps you make your pieces selections for your exam. We hope this information helps you make your pieces selections for your exam. For guidance on selecting pieces for Violin, Scottish Traditional Fiddle and Viola exams, don’t forget to check out our blog: [Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Strings exam: Violin, Scottish Traditional Fiddle and Viola](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-violin-scottish-traditional-fiddle-and-viola). 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