Classical Grades For The Modern Musician
The RSL Classical syllabus proudly represents classical music in all its forms, including music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Twentieth Century eras. This repertoire sits alongside a range of scales, arpeggios and technical studies to provide a challenging and engaging syllabus for the 21st-century musician.
Why choose RSL Classical?
ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS
The RSL Classical Syllabus has been designed with industry relevance, student engagement and academic rigour in mind. Every practical, theoretical and aural test has been written and developed by industry professional to give students an unrivalled level of academic assurance.
Diverse Repertoire
Carefully graded to foster and support progression, RSL Classical Exams include an exceptional selection of pieces from a diverse roster of composers including some of the most cherished and admired pieces from the Classical repertoire, alongside minimalism, impressionism, jazz and film scores.
EXCEPTIONAL COMPOSERS
We’re proud to have developed such a representative classical syllabus, featuring the likes of; Debussy, Clara Schumann, Alexis Ffrench, JS Bach, Elfrida Andrée, Isaac Albéniz, Mozart, Florence Price, John Williams, Zenobia Powell-Perry, Germaine Tailleferre, Chopin and Beethoven.. to name just a few!
Internationally Recognised
Upon completion of an RSL Graded Music Exam, every candidate will have earned a globally recognised qualification, which has been designed to support progression routes towards higher education and the creative industries.
UCAS Points
Grades 6 to 8 are UCAS recognised aiding Higher Education applications. Candidates can gain up to 30 UCAS points for completion of these Level 3 qualifications.
Learn more about this fresh new syllabus!
QUALIFICATION AVAILABLE
Available from Debut – Grade 8, with Grades 6 – 8 carrying UCAS points in all formats.
Upon completion of an RSL Graded Music Exam, every candidate will have earned a globally recognised qualification, which has been designed to support progression routes towards higher education and the creative industries.
Graded Exam
Exam Format: Face to Face / Recorded Video Submission
No of Pieces: 3*
Technical Exercise:
All Published Scales, Arpeggios/Broken Chords, and Technical Studies
Unseen Tests**:
Sight Reading OR Improvisation, Ear Test and General Musicianship Questions
*Candidates may choose to play up to three pieces of Graded Exam/Certificate from the repertoire lists of another UK Accredited Examination Board
**Unseen Tests are omitted in the Recorded Video Submission Exams
Performance Certificate
Exam Format: Face to Face / Recorded Video Submission
No of Pieces: 5*
Technical Exercise: None
Unseen Tests: None
*Candidates may choose to play up to five pieces of Graded Exam/Certificate from the repertoire lists of another UK Accredited Examination Board.
INTRODUCING THE CLASSICAL EXAMINERS!
Dr Andrew McBirnie
Chief Examiner (RSL Awards)
Andrew McBirnie graduated from the University of Bristol with a first class BA degree in music, and then studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Justin Connolly, gaining a PhD in composition from the University of London.
Andrew taught in independent schools, becoming Director of Music at The Oratory School, Reading. He was Chief Examiner in Music for London College of Music Examinations, based at the University of West London, from 2002 to 2008, where he also taught on the BMus course. After a brief period living in the USA, during which time he taught at Oklahoma City University, he returned to the UK in 2010 to become Director of Examinations at the Royal Academy of Dance, a position he held for ten years, before becoming Chief Examiner at RSL Awards in 2020.
Olivier Depardon
RSL Classical Piano ExaminerOlivier is a film music composer, who has recently relocated to London from Montpellier, France. Having composed more than 50 soundtracks (music for documentaries, short, feature and corporate films) for tv and cinema. Much of his work is orchestral or piano-centered.
Dr Rob Upton
RSL Classical Piano ExaminerRob is an experienced performer and educator. He holds a Ph.D. (Music performance analysis) from the University of Nottingham, along with LRSM (Piano Performance) from ABRSM, and is an associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA Advance HE).
Kirstie Smith
RSL Classical Piano ExaminerKirstie is an experienced performer and educator. She has a B.A. Hons: (Studied piano with Sir Michael Roll & Beate Popperwell at Welsh College of Music and Drama), PGCE/PCETL, TCL diploma, Piano, vocals & Theory ABRSM Grade 8.
PERIOD A
Registration Deadline
2 February 2025
PERIOD B
Registration Deadline
27 April 2025
PERIOD C
Registration Deadline
27 July 2025
PERIOD D
Registration Deadline
September 2025
RSL CLASSICAL WEBINAR
RSL Classical Piano Webinar Video by RSL Awards Chief Examiner Dr. Andrew McBirnie, along with RSL-UK Head of Sales & Partnerships and long-time music educator and administrator Mr. Dan Francis.
This RSL webinar provide an overview of the RSL Classical Piano syllabus.
| Premiere | $195 |
| Debut | $217 |
| Grade 1 | $250 |
| Grade 2 | $298 |
| Grade 3 | $328 |
| Grade 4 | $350 |
| Grade 5 | $378 |
| Grade 6 | $450 |
| Grade 7 | $501 |
| Grade 8 | $561 |
| Premiere | $169 |
| Debut | $187 |
| Grade 1 | $216 |
| Grade 2 | $256 |
| Grade 3 | $281 |
| Grade 4 | $300 |
| Grade 5 | $322 |
| Grade 6 | $387 |
| Grade 7 | $431 |
| Grade 8 | $501 |
| Debut | $121 |
| Grade 1 | $134 |
| Grade 2 | $134 |
| Grade 3 | $134 |
| Grade 4 | $168 |
| Grade 5 | $168 |
| Grade 6 | $205 |
| Grade 7 | $205 |
| Grade 8 | $205 |
| Grade 1 | $254 |
| Grade 2 | $254 |
| Grade 3 | $254 |
| Grade 4 | $324 |
| Grade 5 | $324 |
| Grade 6 | $427 |
| Grade 7 | $427 |
| Grade 8 | $427 |
Book Your ROCKSCHOOL EXAM NOW
Still have questions? Contact us at exam@rs-event.sg or call us at 9830 8519