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Hi,

DD (14) has just started singing lessons at school as lead up to starting GCSE music in September. Apparently she is going to be put in for Grade 3 exam shortly. What will this involve? Was a bit suprised as I thought she would have to start at Grade 1?

Any guidance / information very gratefully received.

It really depends which exam board they are using and which style of singing she is doing. My dd did grade 3 Musical theatre last year( taking grade 4 in 6 weeks) with London College of music. For that she had to learn 3 songs, one pre 1950, one post 1950 and one other. She had to talk about the songs, where they were from,why she chose those particular songs etc. For grade 4 it is two pre 1950 and one post 1950. Trinity and Guildhall require different things.

Hi Livvy2,
On the assumption she is doing grade 3 with ABRSM you might find the following link to their website useful: http://www.abrsm.org/en/home
All the syllabus information is in the exam section listed under the chosen instrument (ie singing).
I think grade 3 is a good grade to start with given her age, doing the lower grades would probably be a bit pointless especially since she is just about to start GCSE Music and therefore will already have musical aptitude.
Other than that, I'm afraid I can't help specifically with singing as DD does the piano grades with ABRSM, however she did take grade 3 Musical Theatre with LCM last year which is not such a formal exam as Abrsm or Trinity and Guildhall. But as Francescasmum says its a completely different exam depending on the board.

Hi there,

There is no need to take any music exams in strict order, from personal experience (many moons ago) I went straight in at Grade 3 on the flute, missing out Grades 1 and 2. I am now a music teacher, and my pupils often skip exams, if they are progressing very quickly, which it sounds like your DD is!

I don't know very much about the Musical Theatre exams, but Trinity/Guildhall and Associated Board (ABRSM) are both very good music examining boards, and they don't need you to take the exams in order. My DD did Grade 1 singing with Associated Board last year (she was 8 at the time) and she got a distinction, though next time I think we might look into the Musical Theatre exams as this is where her passion lies!

I am sure your DD will do very well at Grade 3, her teacher would not have suggested she skip otherwise!! Good luck