ABRSM News & Exams

 

26th January 2024

News & Updates - February & March Practical Examinations

Brittens Music is very pleased to once again be hosting the ABRSM Practical Examinations and look forward to welcoming the ABRSM candidates and examiners 

The exam dates are as follows:

29th February
1st March (Jazz Day), then 2nd March, 7th to 9th March, 15th to 16th March and 25th to 28th March.

If you are travelling by car, please allow plenty of time for your journey, as the routes into Tunbridge Wells can be very busy, especially at peak times. There are several local car parks within a few minutes walk of Brittens.

For any specific exam booking related questions please refer directly to the local ABRSM representative, Fiona Rogers, who can be contacted on the following number 07852 283147. She will also be in attendance for all of the sessions.  

You may also be interested in our preparing for exams guide and 'What to expect on the Day' in our general blog post area. 

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TCL (Trinity College London) Exams  

Brittens Music are hosting TCL practical exams on 18th and 19th March 


 

News & Updates November 2023

8th November 2023

Brittens Music Tunbridge Wells is again delighted to welcome ABRSM candidates and examiners to the November and December practical exams. The examinations will begin on Thursday 9th November, 2023 with a day dedicated to the jazz syllabus followed by 11th November - 18th November inclusive, then on the 20th, 21st and 25th November and December 2nd.

There are several car parks within a few minutes walk of Brittens Music but please remember that they can become quite full during the weeks before Christmas and to consider allowing extra time.

We wish all candidates the very best of luck. You may also be interested in our preparing for exams guide and 'What to expect on the Day' in our general blog post area. 

For any specific exam booking related questions please refer directly to the local ABRSM representative, Fiona Rogers, who can be contacted on the following number 07852 283147 and will also be in attendance for all of the sessions.


22nd September 2023 

News & Updates September 2023

Brittens Music is pleased to again be hosting the ABRSM practical examinations due to take place this winter on the following dates:

9th November (jazz syllabus examination day) followed by 11th November - 18th November inclusive, then on the 20th, 21st and 25th November and December 2nd.

For any specific exam booking related questions please refer directly to the local ABRSM representative, Fiona Rogers, who can be contacted on the following number 07852 283147


1st September 2023

News & Updates September 2023 - Exam Entries

Exam entries for ABRSM face to face practical grades open in September so keep an eye on the Board's webpage for further details. Bookings for the Brittens venue fill up quickly and early application is advised if possible.

Brittens' students - if you are planning to enter for an exam this term please discuss this with your teacher as soon as possible. Anyone can apply via the ABRSM Website. 


 

15th June 2023

Brittens Music are very pleased to welcome music examination candidates and examiners for the summer round of practical exams which began on the 12th June with further sessions running on 15th - 17th June followed by Tuesday 4th July until Saturday 8th July and then from Monday 10th to Friday 14th July.

If you are travelling by car please be aware that traffic can be very heavy on the main routes into Tunbridge Wells and delays can happen especially at peak travel times.

The Brittens Music School office is not always open and any calls regarding delays or absence etc. relating to exams should be directed to the ABRSM representative on 07852 283147.  

BEST OF LUCK WITH YOUR EXAM! 


12th June 2023 

News & Updates June 2023 - New String Syllabus

Order or pick up the new 'ABRSM 2024 Strings Syllabus' from Brittens Music.

The new 'ABRSM 2024 Strings Syllabus' is now available to order from us online, or buy from one of our stores in Tunbridge Wells in Kent or New Haw in Surrey. 


26th April 2023

News & Updates May 2023

Brittens Music are pleased to again be hosting ABRSM for the summer round of practical exams with sessions running on 12th June and then 15th - 17th June followed by Tuesday 4th July until Saturday 8th July and then from Monday 10th to Friday 14th July. Jazz Exams are scheduled for the 13th June. Please refer to the ABRSM website for confirmation of dates, booking and availability.

We look forward to welcoming the ABRSM team along with all of this session's candidates.


10th February 2023  

News & Updates February 2023 

Brittens will shortly be hosting ABRSM candidates for the Spring round of face to face instrumental and singing exams over the following dates:

Monday 27th February - Saturday 11th March with Friday 10th March exclusively for jazz exams.

We look forward to welcoming representatives of the Board, candidates and their accompanists to Brittens. To try and ensure that you have the best possible experience please be aware of the following:

Parking is available in nearby public car parks but not on site. Please do not arrive too early for your exam as there are limited waiting and warm-up spaces available.

Please check directly with the ABRSM website to confirm these dates, availability and future booking windows.


 

2nd December 2022

News & Updates December 2022

Brittens is currently hosting ABRSM candidates for the Winter round of face to face instrumental and singing exams over the following dates:

Saturday 26th November 2022

Wednesday 30th November - Saturday 10th December 2022

We look forward to welcoming representatives of the Board, candidates and their accompanists to Brittens. To try and ensure that you have the best possible experience please be aware of the following:

Parking is available in nearby public car parks but not on site. Please do not arrive too early for your exam as there are limited waiting and warm-up spaces available.

Please check directly with the ABRSM website to confirm these dates, availability and future booking windows. 

 

 

12th May 2022

News & Updates May 2022 

Brittens will be hosting ABRSM candidates for the summer round of face to face instrumental and singing exams on the following dates:

June 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th (jazz day), 25th

and again from the 27th of June until 5th July (excluding Sundays).

Please check directly with the ABRSM website to confirm these dates, availability and booking window.

 


28th February 2022

News & Updates February 2022 - Exam information 

The spring round of in-person instrumental examinations will be held at Brittens Music, Tunbridge Wells this March on the following dates:

ABRSM examinations start on Friday 11th March and will continue until Tuesday, 22nd March with the Jazz exams being held on Saturday 19th March.

Trinity examinations will be held on Thursday 24th March and Friday 25th March.


 

27th January 2022

News & Updates January 2022 - update

The music school and Colourstrings lessons and classes are well underway for the spring term. Many sessions are now fully booked, however there are still a few spaces available for early afternoon piano lessons and late afternoon/after-school and Saturday lessons for cello and some woodwind instruments. Please contact the music school for more details about specific days and times.

As well as practical instrument lessons we are also able to offer music theory lessons. These become a requirement for anyone wishing to progress in practical or performance exams past grade 5. Again, please contact the music school for further details.

Exam News

ABRSM practical examinations at Brittens in Tunbridge Wells are now booking via their website for selected dates from the 11th to the 22nd March.

Trinity practical examinations at Brittens are currently booking for the 24th, 25th and 26th March.

Please refer to the individual boards' websites for specific information and details.

Covid update

Given that case levels remain high, our current Covid-19 policy remains in place for this term and our teachers will continue with our sanitising regime. Hand sanitisers and screens remain in use. We continue to strongly encourage students to wear face-coverings in the music school, to take LFT before lessons if they can and of course if anyone feels unwell or has symptoms to notify the school and stay home.

Most teachers are able to offer online lessons if you are unable to attend and feel well enough, are self isolating or feel that this may be your preferred option.

 


January 10th 2022

News & Updates - January 2022

We are very pleased to welcome back students to the new Spring term which starts on 10th January and also send a warm welcome to the new students who are joining us.

ABRSM Exam news

For anyone considering taking a practical music exam towards the end of this term, the opening date for entries with ABRSM is the 24th January (please refer to their website for more information and details on how to enter).

Covid update

Our current Covid-19 policy remains in place for this term however, due to the increased rates of infection we would like to remind our students (unless you are exempt from doing so) to wear face coverings in all of the communal areas of the shop and music school. This may include in some classrooms if practical otherwise screens will be provided.

We strongly encourage students to take LFT before lessons if they can and of course if anyone feels unwell or has symptoms to notify the school and stay home.

Most teachers are able to offer online lessons if you are unable to attend and feel well enough, are self isolating or feel that this may be your preferred option.

Colourstrings

Our Colourstrings classes for babies and young children also starts a new term on Wednesday 12th January and looks forward to welcoming everyone to the sessions.

 


 

18 November 2021

Brittens Exam Centre - December 2021

The Dates for the ABRSM Practical Music Exams at Brittens Music School are now confirmed.

ABRSM Practical Exams will run from the 23rd November to the 11th December (including the 30th November for ABRSM Jazz exams).

Trinity College Music Exams will run on the 1st and 2nd December.

Preparations are underway to ensure that our Risk Assessments are fit for purpose and that everyone will enjoy an effective and safe exam period.

We will post details here as we arrange them, but we are likely to be following the exact same Covid-secure guidelines that we followed in June 2021, which includes a one-way system through the music school, no waiting for parents (except for very young children), the wearing of masks in common areas, and sanitising of hands and instruments etc.

 BEST OF LUCK WITH YOUR EXAM!


 2 June, 2021

Covid Guidelines for ABRSM & Trinity Exams - June/July 2021

We will be running the exam centres this month in the same way that they were run in November 2020.

Please enter the music school via the front doors to the school (to the left of the shop). The door will be open. We are operating a strict one way system.

At the top of the stairs, please sanitise your hands, and check in to Track and Trace (ALL teachers, parents and accompanists)

Everyone to wear a mask (except primary school age children). Please ensure your mask is on when moving from warm up room to exam room, or to toilets, or exiting the exam centre, or in the shop downstairs. You are welcome to go into the shop before and after your exam.

The Steward will escort the candidate to a warm up room. Parents are not to wait for their children, but can descend the side stairway and wait in the shop .. or at the bottom of the stairs. Please maintain 1 - 2 metres SPACE at all times.

The Steward will escort the candidate to the exam room, and then to the exit stairway. (arrangements can be made for very young children)

Please do not come to the exam centre if you are feeling unwell. To cancel your exam, please call the HLR Fiona Rogers on 07852283147.

The windows will be open in the warm up rooms and in the exam room.

Instruments / chairs / music stands etc will be wiped down between each occupant.

The examiner will have their own Digital Piano for Aural Tests.

The examiner will sit behind a 6ft perspex screen.

BEST OF LUCK WITH YOUR EXAM!


4 May, 2021

Brittens Exam Centre - June 2021

The Dates for the ABRSM Practical Music Exams at Brittens Music School are now confirmed.

ABRSM Practical Exams will run from the 7th of June to the 24th of June (including the 11th and 12th of June for ABRSM Jazz exams)

Trinity College Music Exams will run on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of July.

Preparations are underway to ensure that our Risk Assessments are fit for purpose and that we will enjoy a slick and safe exam session.

We will post details here as we arrange them, but we are likely to be following the exact same Covid-secure guidelines that we followed in November 2020, which includes a one way system through the music school, no waiting for parents (except for very young children), the wearing of masks in common areas, and sanitising of hands and instruments etc.
 15 April, 2021

ABRSM & Trinity College Music Exams - June 2021 

We are booked for 1 - 30 June for ABRSM Exams and 1 2 and 3 July for Trinity Exams. We will confirm here the details as we learn them.

Booking for ABRSM opens 4th to the 17th of May, 2021.

Booking for Trinity College will open: TBC

Please refer to the exam boards' websites as we do not manage the bookings here at Brittens - we run the venue.

As per the exams run in November, 2020 - a full risk assessment is in progress and all Covid-19 protocols will be followed for everyone's safety. 

We are very pleased to welcome back students to the new Spring term which starts on 10th January and also send a warm welcome to the new students who are joining us. Exam news: for anyone considering taking a practical music exam towards the end of this term, the opening date for entries with ABRSM is the 24th January (please refer to their website for more information and details on how to enter). Covid update: Our current Covid-19 policy remains in place for this term however, due to the increased rates of infection we would like to remind our students (unless you are exempt from doing so) to wear face coverings in all of the communal areas of the shop and music school. This may include in some classrooms if practical otherwise screens will be provided. We strongly encourage students to take LFT before lessons if they can and of course if anyone feels unwell or has symptoms to notify the school and stay home. Most teachers are able to offer online lessons if you are unable to attend and feel well enough, are self isolating or feel that this may be your preferred option. Colourstrings: Our Colourstrings classes for babies and young children also starts a new term on Wednesday 12th January and looks forward to welcoming everyone to the sessions.

25 February, 2021

ABRSM Exams for 2021

Thanks to Covid-19 we now have face to face and online exam formats. Here we explain the difference, and when these will take place.

Performance Grades

These are available for every grade up to 8 and include the ASRM. They require 4 pieces at that grade level, 'performed' and recorded on video ( a good mobile phone camera will do) and submitted to the ABRSM by the deadline booked. Importantly, there is no need to sit in front of an examiner, and scales, sight reading and aural tests are not included in this exam. Generally, you can apply at the beginning of the previous month, and submit by the end of the next. Currently they seem to run each month.

Session 4 - booking opens 1 -8th of March and entries must be submitted between the 6th and 26th of April, 2021.

Practical Exams

These are face to face exams like those taken here at Brittens Music School. The March 2021 session is cancelled, however, there are now published dates for a Session 2: Booking opens 26th April to 10th of May, for an exam period of 14 June to 17th July 2021 (for England and Wales) 1 - 26 June for Northern Ireland and Scotland).

Music Theory Exams

If you are studying for your Music Theory - Grades 1 to 5 are now examined online only. The exam dates are split across 6 sessions, the March Session is now closed for bookings. Session 2 - book between the 6 and 13th of April for an exam date of 23rd of May.

Grades 6-8 are still examined in person. Session 2 - bookings open 4 - 11 May and the exam date is 18th of June at 10am. Session 3 will be in September/October.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO POST HERE REGARDING UPDATES TO THESE SESSIONS. 


25 January, 2021

ABRSM Online Theory Exams (Grades 1 - 5) - 2021 Dates

Exam dates for online Music Theory (Grades 1 to 5)
We are now providing three exam dates with different start times:
• Tuesday 16 March – candidates can start the exam at any time between 5pm and 6pm
• Saturday 20 March – candidates can start the exam at any time between 10am and 11am
• Thursday 25 March – candidates can start the exam at any time between 5pm and 6pm

There is no change to the booking period for these exams, which will still run from 1 to 8 February.  


11 December, 2020

ABRSM Performance Grade Exams - 2021 Dates

The ABRSM have confirmed the following dates for the new remotely assessed Performance Grades & ASRM.

  • Booking period: 6 to 13 January / Exam session: 1 to 21 February
  • Booking period: 1 to 8 February / Exam session: 1 to 21 March
  • Booking period: 1 to 8 March / Exam session: 6 to 26 April

For more information about these new exams, please visit the ABRSM Site. https://www.abrsm.org/en/performancegrades/key-information.  


8 December, 2020

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all students who took their practical exams in November and December at Brittens Music in Tunbridge Wells. We had over 300 students attend exams, along with their accompanists. Strict Covid guidelines were followed and we are happy to say that it was a great (and safe) success. Well done everyone.

ABRSM Practical Performance Grades for Singing for Musical Theatre

The ABRSM have now launched new syllabuses for Singing for Musical Theatre Practical Grades 4 & 5 and Performance Grades 6–8. These are available for use in exams from January 2021. See the ABRSM website for more information, including the Grades 4-5 Songbook, Aural and Sight-singing books.

https://www.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/singing-for-musical-theatre/  


9th November 2020

ABRSM Practical Exams at Brittens - Autumn Session

Our Music School (situated above the shop) will be open for ABRSM Exams - Starting next Friday, 13th November. The Brittens Music shop downstairs, however, will be closed (although we are operating a Click & Collect service).

Candidates are asked to enter the one way system to the Music School via the Door to the LEFT of the shop front entrance (beneath the RUSSELL HOUSE sign). The door will be open, please do not ring the bell. We will be operating a 2m social distancing rule but please give people space in the stairway, or preferably queue outside if you are early. Everyone entering the exam centre will be required to sanitise their hands and wear masks. (except children under 11)

One parent/guardian/teacher may accompany a child to the warm up room, but will have to leave the premises whilst the exam takes place. We will have 3 warm up rooms in operation - but no waiting area. Our largest warm up room will be reserved for wind, brass and singing candidates - it contains a piano. Windows will be open in all three warm up rooms.

There will be a Perspex screen in the exam room. There will be two pianos in the Exam Room (one digital for the Examiner to use for Aural Tests). Accompanist will be required to wear a mask in the exam room but candidates can remove their mask for the duration of the exam only.

Pianos, door handles, seat handles and music stands will be cleaned between each use - but please refrain from touching anything unnecessarily.

Parent/guarding/teacher/ can return through the one way system to collect their child, but preferably, if they could wait at the exit (which faces the lane to the station car park) for the child to be escorted out.

Windows will be open where possible, and masks should be worn (although not during the exam).

We have over 300 candidates presented for exams, and have to follow strict guidelines to ensure everyone's safety. We will have the ABRSM HLR and Steward on duty to ensure the smooth running of the exam programme so please do not be alarmed. 


August 2020

ABRSM Online Music Theory Exams

The Music Theory exams from Grades 1 to 5 are moving online. In addition, there are a few minor changes to the syllabus itself. Exams for Grades 6 - 8 will remain paper based, and in person.

The online exams will take place for Grades 1 to 5 in 2021, and the following are now confirmed:

  • Tuesday 16 March at 5pm (Booking period: 1 to 8 February)
  • Sunday 23 May at 10am (Booking period: 6 to 13 April)
  • Saturday 19 June at 10am (Booking period: 4 to 11 May)

Online Music Theory exams later in the year will take place in August, October and November. We will publish dates for these exams on our website soon, along with planned dates for 2021 paper-based exams at Grades 6 to 8.

For more information, please visit the ABRSM site. https://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/online-theory