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Latest exam updates
Grade 5 Music Theory waiver (not applicable in the UK & Ireland)
We are extending our Grade 5 Music Theory waiver until 23 May 2021. This means that candidates with a Grade 6 to 8 Performance Grade exam submission date up to and including 23 May can take their exam without first passing Grade 5 Music Theory. We are making this exceptional arrangement to allow candidates who have been unable to take an exam in recent months to progress with their learning. From 24 May, the Grade 5 Music Theory requirement will return. For exam dates/exam submission dates after 23 May, all candidates taking a Grade 6 to 8 Performance or Practical Grade must first pass Grade 5 Music Theory.
Performance Grade exams
We are pleased to confirm that we will be offering Performance Grade exams every month for the remainder of 2021. Please check our Dates and Fees page for details.
Practical Oboe Grade 4 exams consist of three pieces, chosen by the candidate from the appropriate lists in the current syllabus, scales and broken chords, sight-reading and aural tests.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. 100 marks are required to achieve Pass, 120 marks to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
Find out about our Performance Grades and alternative route to a graded music exam.
Three pieces: one chosen by the candidate from each of the three Lists, A, B and C - 30 marks each
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | J. S. Bach arr. Denley |
 Menuet And Triofrom Overture in F, BWV 820 |
|
| 2 | J. S. Bach arr. van Beringen |
Menuett | |
| 3 | Tartini arr. van Beringen |
Sarabande | |
| 4 | Giordani arr. Lawrance |
Caro mio ben (omitting small notes in bb. 4–5 & 8–10) |
 Great Winners for Oboe, arr. LawranceBrass Wind (0327) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Great Winners for Oboe, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0327PA) |
| 5 | Gluck, arr. Brahms arr. Sparke |
Gavotte | |
| 6 | Handel arr. Sparke |
Bourrée from Flute Sonata, HWV 363b |
|
| 7 | Haydn arr. Francis and Grant |
Andante cantabile | |
| 8 | Mozart arr. Lanning |
Turkish Rondo from Piano Sonata in A |
|
| 9 | Schubert arr. Kolman |
Military March (Militärmarsch) Op. 51 No. 1 |
|
| 10 | Vivaldi arr. Sparke |
Allegro from Flute Sonata in C |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keith Bartlett | J. B. Jazz from Just for Fun! for Oboe |
|
| 2 | L. Bernstein arr. Elliott |
It must be so from Candide |
|
| 3 | Delibes arr. Denley |
Sous le dôme épais from Lakmé |
|
| 4 | Robin Grant | Latin Romance | |
| 5 | Grieg arr. Kolman |
Solvejg's Song (Solvejgs Lied) from Peer Gynt |
|
| 6 | Bryan Kelly | Italian Dance | |
| 7 | Marco Pütz | The Dreamer No. 1 from Two Pictures for Oboe |
|
| 8 | James Rae | Mr Big from In the Groove for Oboe |
|
| 9 | G. M. Rodríguez arr. Lawrance |
La Cumparsita |
Great Winners for Oboe, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0327) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Great Winners for Oboe, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0327PA) |
| 10 | Saint-Saëns arr. Lanning |
The Swan from The Carnival of the Animals |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | van Beekum | Air varié from Ornamental Oboes (Theme and Var. 1) |
|
| 2 | Dave Gale | Blues for Sam Or Stop and Guiro from JazzFX for Oboe |
|
| 3 | Garnier | Study in D Or Study in F♯ minor | |
| 4 | Hinke | Study in A minor Or Study in F from Elementary Method for Oboe |
|
| 5 | Mike Mower | Waltzlet Or Drifting Off from The Good-Tempered Oboe |
|
| 6 | James Rae | Triple Jump No. 8 from Track & Field for Oboe |
|
| 7 | Graham Salter | Ties Or Ballet Class from 35 Melodic Studies for Oboe |
|
| 8 | Philip Sparke | One-part Invention Or Hungarian Dance No. 36 Or No. 38 from Skilful Studies for Oboe |
|
| 9 | Sarah Watts | Study in Orange from Fresh Air for Oboe |
|
| 10 | Lynne Williams | And Finally No. 30 from Thirty One Two Three Oboe Studies |
Download recordings of pieces from our Oboe syllabus.
A volume of well-crafted arrangements for oboe at Grades 4 & 5.
Practice material for students preparing for Oboe exams.
New editions offering support to teachers preparing students for Practical exams.
