Introducing our new Music Performance diplomas

We will be publishing the qualification specification for our updated LRSM and FRSM diplomas in Music Performance in November 2023.

The first assessments will be available in April 2024.

Our new suite of Music Performance diplomas (and their Regulatory Qualification Framework levels) will be:

ARSM (Level 4) – no change from current
LRSM (Level 6) – new
FRSM (Level 7) – new

Find out more about our ARSM in Performance

We are currently finalising the qualification specification for the new LRSM and FRSM. In the meantime, you can use the following information to start preparing.

This information applies to LRSM and FRSM, unless otherwise stated.

Overview

The new LRSM and FRSM diplomas in Music Performance will allow you to demonstrate:

your practical performance skills in a live performance environment
your knowledge and understanding, relevant to your programme and performance, through a piece of supporting evidence

This is an opportunity to create a performance that has a real sense of occasion. This is your recital, your programme of music and your performance space. You can even choose to invite an audience.

These will be digital assessments. They will be available on demand through our online service, making it easier for you to take your diploma at a time that suits you.

You will need to arrange a video recording of your recital. This can be in a location or venue of your choice with or without an audience.

We will also be exploring opportunities for face-to-face assessment for our new diplomas in the future.

A live performance demonstrating your musical skills, performance technique and stylistic interpretation.
A supporting piece of evidence related to preparing your repertoire/performance.

Pieces/songs

40 – 45 mins (LRSM) or 50 – 55 mins (FRSM)
Repertoire from the relevant list for your diploma – at least 50% of your programme time
Own-choice repertoire of up to: 22 mins (LRSM), 27 minutes (FRSM)

Performance as a whole

Communication, interpretation and delivery

Supporting evidence

An opportunity to demonstrate your expertise in an aspect of preparing for performance – showing your knowledge and understanding of a particular piece(s), your instrument, how to select a programme, or the preparation required for advance performance.
You will be able to choose from a list of options, which we will confirm in the qualification specification, available in November 2023.

Component	Marks available	% of total mark
Pieces	30	40%
Performance as a whole	30	40%
Supporting evidence	15	20%
Total	75	100%

You do not have to pass each component to achieve your diploma.

Result categories	Marks available
Distinction	68 - 75
Merit	60 - 67
Pass	50– 59

: You must have passed Grade 8 on your chosen instrument, from any exam board. There are no age limits.

Keyboard: Piano, Harpsichord, Organ

Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Harp

Woodwind: Recorder, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone

Brass: Horn, Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, E♭ Horn, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba

Other: Percussion, Singing

See ‘LRSM repertoire lists’ or ‘FRSM repertoire lists’, below, to view repertoire lists.

We may add more pieces to these lists in the coming months and will be publishing expanded repertoire lists in November 2023. We will not be removing any pieces.

You should choose at least 50% of your programme from the relevant repertoire list.

The rest of your programme can be from the repertoire list or can be own-choice music of broadly the same standard, including: