Latest exam updates
Practical Session 2 Update - USA
We appreciate how much the cancellation of our exams has affected learners And we are working hard on solutions to ensure learners can gain their qualifications at the earliest opportunity.
However, on the basis of official and local advice we will be cancelling Session 2 Practical exams scheduled for October-December. Our Representatives will provide further guidance in due course. We are very sorry for the impact on teachers and candidates and we will continue to monitor the situation. Thank you for your loyalty and support while these restrictions remain in place.
We will be gradually rolling out remotely-assessed Performance Grades https://gb.abrsm.org/en/performancegrades/ internationally starting before the end of 2020 and will share exam dates and booking periods soon.
Music Theory November Update - USA
We are still in the process of confirming with our Representatives whether Music Theory exams can take place in every area, based on local official advice. However, we can confirm that the Theory exams in the following areas below have been cancelled. All other areas are currently scheduled to hold a Music Theory exam, however we are monitoring the situation closely and will be in touch if anything changes.
Arizona
California
Colorado
Illinois
Maryland
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Seattle
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
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.
