--- title: "Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Strings exam: Violin, Scottish Traditional Fiddle and Viola" description: Trinity's Violin, Scottish Traditional Fiddle and Viola 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_522226878.jpg --- ![Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Strings exam: Violin, Scottish Traditional Fiddle and Viola](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/hubfs/AdobeStock_522226878.jpg) # Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Strings exam: Violin, Scottish Traditional Fiddle and Viola ![Picture of Natalie Christopher](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/3d8a53424dfc7105a1c2d2b290bcf246) BY: [Natalie Christopher](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/author/natalie-christopher) 23 July 2025 Reading time: 10 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-violin-scottish-traditional-fiddle-and-viola) [![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-violin-scottish-traditional-fiddle-and-viola) [![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-violin-scottish-traditional-fiddle-and-viola&url=https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-violin-scottish-traditional-fiddle-and-viola&source=tweetbutton&text=Selecting+pieces+for+your+Trinity+College+London+Strings+exam%3A+Violin%2C+Scottish+Traditional+Fiddle+and+Viola) Trinity College London’s refreshed [Strings syllabus](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource/?id=8739&_gl=1*1efbj1f*_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=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 [Violin](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/strings/repertoire-violin?_gl=1*1qtgbmz*_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=violin&utm_content=textlink), [Scottish Traditional Fiddle](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/strings/repertoire-scottish-traditional-fiddle?_gl=1*wf4ocl*_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=scottish-traditional-fiddle&utm_content=textlink) and [Viola](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/strings/repertoire-viola?_gl=1*s7ry10*_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=viola&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*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 ###### Repertoire lists Full repertoire lists for the instruments covered in this blog can be found below:  - [Violin](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/strings/repertoire-violin?_gl=1*1qtgbmz*_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=violin&utm_content=textlink) - [Scottish Traditional Fiddle](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/strings/repertoire-scottish-traditional-fiddle?_gl=1*wf4ocl*_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=scottish-traditional-fiddle&utm_content=textlink) - [Viola](https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/grade-exams/strings/repertoire-viola?_gl=1*s7ry10*_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=viola&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 a group must be performed, this requirement must be met and the own composition would be in place of the third or fourth piece. Please refer to the [Strings syllabu](https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource/?id=8739&_gl=1*1efbj1f*_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=strings-syllabus&utm_content=textlink)s for the parameters for writing your own composition.  ###### Violin ##### Initial to Grade 3 Candidates choose three pieces from a single list; four for Repertoire-only pathway exams. One of these may be a duet. Only one unaccompanied piece may be played. Candidates may choose to substitute one of their pieces with a piece/set from the Scottish Traditional Fiddle repertoire list of the same grade. Candidates choosing to play a Scottish Traditional Fiddle piece/set need to be aware that this would count as their one unaccompanied piece i.e. they may perform an unaccompanied piece from the Violin repertoire list *or* a piece/set from the Scottish Traditional Fiddle repertoire list, but not both. Example piece selection: Initial Grade, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *Follow the Yellow Brick Road* from *The Wizard of Oz *by Arlen, arr. Wyatt - *On the Go*,* * 5 from *Cool Beans *by Cobb & Yandell – duet - *French Folk Song* – Initial Grade Scottish Traditional Fiddle Example piece selection: Grade 3, Repertoire-only pathway - *Flor de Fango* by Gentile, arr. Borter – duet - *What About Us* by Mac, McDaid & P!nk, arr. Walshaw - *Can-Can (Galop infernal)* from *Orpheus in the Underworld* by Offenbach, arr. Beach & Dryer-Beers - *Marlow’s Tune *by Dryer-Beers – unaccompanied ##### Grades 4-5 Candidates choose three pieces from a single list; four for Repertoire-only pathway exams. Only one unaccompanied piece may be played. Candidates may choose to substitute one of their pieces with a piece/set from the Scottish Traditional Fiddle repertoire list of the same grade. Candidates choosing to play a Scottish Traditional Fiddle piece/set need to be aware that this would count as their one unaccompanied piece i.e. they may perform an unaccompanied piece from the Violin repertoire list *or* a piece/set from the Scottish Traditional Fiddle repertoire list, but not both. Example piece selection: Grade 4, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *Levitating* (Dua Lipa) by Coffee Jr, Judson, Kozmeniuk & Lipa, arr. Wyatt - *What Was I Made For?* from *Barbie* by O'Connell & O'Connell, arr. Walshaw - *Gigue* by Boismortier - unaccompanied Example piece selection: Grade 5, Repertoire-only pathway - *Air* from *Orchestral Suite no. 3 in D*, BWV 1068 by Bach, J.S, arr. Beach & Dryer-Beers - *One Last Time* (Ariana Grande) by Falk, Guetta, Kotecha, Tuinfort & Yacoub, arr. Wyatt - *Mission: Impossible Theme* by Schifrin, arr. Walshaw - *Annie My Mother/Robertson Crescent/Bobby Crowe of Balmullo *– Grade 5 Scottish Traditional Fiddle ##### Grades 6-8 Pieces are divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Candidates choose three pieces - four for Repertoire-only pathway - including at least one piece from each group. Only one unaccompanied piece may be played. Candidates may choose to substitute one of their pieces with a piece/set from the Scottish Traditional Fiddle repertoire list of the same grade. Candidates choosing to play a Scottish Traditional Fiddle piece/set need to be aware that this would count as their one unaccompanied piece i.e. they may perform an unaccompanied piece from the Violin repertoire list *or* a piece/set from the Scottish Traditional Fiddle repertoire list, but not both. Candidates may also choose to play one piece from the corresponding Viola repertoire list. This means that a candidate taking a Face-to-face or Technical pathway exam and wanting to perform a piece from an alternative syllabus would need to choose between preparing a piece from either the Scottish Traditional Fiddle or Viola repertoire lists; they would not be permitted to perform pieces from both. Repertoire-only candidates could potentially perform a piece from each of the alternative repertoire lists provided they still complied with the requirement to play a piece from Group A and a piece from Group B from the Violin repertoire list. Example piece selection: Grade 6, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *Tarantelle napolitaine* by Sica arr. Lambert – Group A - *Ladies in Lavender* by Hess – Group B - *Miss Graham of Inchbrackie/Donald MacLean’s Farewell to Oban/The Marchioness of Huntly (Marshall)/The Marquis of Huntly (Milne)* – Grade 6 Scottish Traditional Fiddle Example piece selection: Grade 7, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *Allegro *from* Fantasie No. 7* by Telemann – Group A - unaccompanied* * - *You Will Be Found* from *Dear Evan Hansen* by Pasek & Paul, arr. Walshaw – Group B - *Chanson de matin, op. 15 no. 2* by Elgar arr. Arnold – Grade 7 Viola Example piece selection: Grade 8, Repertoire-only pathway - *Methuen Home for Children 1957 *and* Main Theme *from *The Queen’s Gambit* by Rivera, arr. Wyatt – Group A - *Remembrances* from *Schinder’s List* by Williams – Group B - *Elegie, op. 44* by Glasunov – Grade 8 Viola - *Gossip/Jubilee/Da Bixtor Boys/Da Bonxie *– Grade 8 Scottish Traditional Fiddle   Don't forget to check out our new Violin repertoire books! eBooks are available to [buy now](https://store.trinitycollege.com/collections/violin-exam-pieces-from-2025) from the Trinity Shop; printed editions are available to [pre-order](https://shop.trinitycollege.com/collections/violin-exam-pieces-from-2025) ahead of release in September 2025. ###### Scottish Traditional Fiddle ##### Initial Grade Pieces are divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Candidates choose three pieces - four for Repertoire-only pathway - including at least one piece from each group. Example piece selection: Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *Dinah* – Group A - *Now the Day is Over *– Group A - *French Folk Song* – Group B Example piece selection: Repertoire-only pathway - *Coulter’s Candy* – Group A - *The Jeelie Piece Song* – Group A - *Lovely Stornoway* – Group B - *Jeelie Piece Song – *Group A ##### Grades 1-8 Pieces/sets are divided into three groups: Groups A, B and C. Candidates choose three pieces/sets - four for Repertoire-only pathway - including one piece/set from each group. Each grade has specific requirements regarding the dynamics, ornamentation, and the number of position changes that should be included. Please refer to the syllabus for more information. Example piece selection: Grade 1, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean* – Group A - *Auld Lang Syne* – Group B - *This is No My Ain Lassie* – Group C Example piece selection: Grade 5, Repertoire-only pathway - *Farewell to Whisky/The Firth House/Mrs McGee’s Reel* – Group A - *The Duke of Fife’s Welcome to Deeside/McKenzie Hay/The Spey in Spate* – Group B - *Mr Michie/Mrs Russell of Blackhall/Carnie’s Canter* – Group B - *The Grimbergen Blonde/Chris Stout’s Compliments to the ‘Bon Accord’ Ale House* – Group C ###### Viola ##### Initial to Grade 3 Candidates choose three pieces from a single list; four for Repertoire-only pathway exams. One of these may be a duet. Only one unaccompanied piece may be played. Example piece selection: Grade 1, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *Matchday March, no. 12* by Cobb & Yandell – duet - *Colors of the Wind* from *Pocahontas* by Menken - *Blast Off! *by Cohen - unaccompanied Example piece selection: Grade 2, Repertoire-only pathway - *Tango Waltz no. 13* by Cobb & Yandell – duet - *Surface Pressure* from *Encanto* by Miranda - *Chasse du jeune Henry, no 17* by Dancia - unaccompanied - *Wet Hands* from *Minecraft: Volume Alpha* by Rosenfeld ##### 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, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *We Gotta Boogie* by Arens - *Minuetto (*3rd movement from *Sonata in C Minor*) by Boccherini, arr. Ewerhart & Koch - *Atlantic Puffin* by Wilkinson – unaccompanied Example piece selection: Grade 5, Repertoire-only pathway - *Adagio*, 3rd movement from *Sonata in E*♭* *by Dittersdorf - *Ferdinand for Solo Viola* by Fine – unaccompanied - *Hornpipe* by Murray & Brown - *Falling Leaves (Autumn), no. 1* by Weston ##### Grades 6-8 Pieces are divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Candidates choose three pieces - four for Repertoire-only pathway - including at least on piece from each group. Only one unaccompanied piece may be played. Candidates may also choose to play one piece from the corresponding Violin repertoire list. Example piece selection: Grade 6, Face-to-face or Technical pathway - *Allegro*, 2nd movement from *Sonata in A minor*, TWV 41:a6 by Telemann, arr. Joelson - Group A - *Songs for Harvey* by Burrell – Group B – unaccompanied - *Counting Stars* (One Republic) by Tedder, arr. Walshaw – Grade 6 Violin Example piece selection: Grade 8, Repertoire-only pathway - *Romance for Viola and Piano* by Chevereau – Group A - *Meditation* by Bloch – Group B - *Deeds Not Words*, 1st movement from *The Suffragette Sonata for Solo Viola* – Group B – unaccompanied - *Hoe-Down* from *Rodeo* by Copland – Violin Grade 8 We hope this information helps you make your pieces selections for your exam. For guidance on selecting pieces for Cello, Double Bass and Harp exams, don’t forget to check out our blog: [Selecting pieces for your Trinity College London Strings exam: Cello, Double Bass and Harp](https://blog.trinitycollege.co.uk/selecting-pieces-for-your-trinity-college-london-strings-exam-cello-double-bass-and-harp). 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