Trinity College London’s refreshed Strings syllabus 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, Double Bass and Harp exams, highlighting many of the new pieces along the way.
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
- Overall performance
Digital: Repertoire-only pathway
Repertoire lists
Full repertoire lists for the instruments covered in this blog can be found below:
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 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.
Coming soon: Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Strings exam: Violin, Scottish Traditional Fiddle and Viola
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