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 2 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 | Chambonnières arr. Denley |
 Sarabande |
|
| 2 | F. Couperin arr. Gray |
La Bourbonnaise |
|
| 3 | Croft arr. Blood |
Saraband | |
| 4 | De Fesch arr. Francis and Grant |
Gavotta from Largo and Gavotta |
|
| 5 | Purcell arr. Francis and Grant |
Air | |
| 6 | Handel arr. Sparke |
Bourrée from Water Music |
|
| 7 | Schubert arr. Lawrance |
Briar-Rose (Heidenröslein) |
 Winner Scores All for Oboe, arr. LawranceBrass Wind (0328) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Winner Scores All for Oboe, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0328PA) |
| 8 | Trad., arr. Kelly | Sad Folk Song | |
| 9 | Trad. Scottish arr. Ramsay |
Skye Boat Song | |
| 10 | Trad. Scottish arr. Barratt |
Torry Burn |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keith Bartlett | Dreamy Or Cairo Carnival from Just for Fun! for Oboe |
|
| 2 | Roma Cafolla | Top o' the Morning from Playaround for Oboe |
|
| 3 | Gilkyson arr. Lawrance |
The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book |
Winner Scores All for Oboe, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0328) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Winner Scores All for Oboe, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0328PA) |
| 4 | Robin Grant | Song of the Forest | |
| 5 | Bryan Kelly | Polonaise Or Blues | |
| 6 | Pascal Proust | Baltic | |
| 7 | Puccini arr. Denley |
Oh my beloved Papa from Gianni Schicchi |
|
| 8 | James Rae | As If! from In the Groove for Oboe |
|
| 9 | Sarah Watts | Humdinger Hoedown from Fresh Air for Oboe |
|
| 10 | Pam Wedgwood | Dragonfly Or Easy Tiger from Really Easy Jazzin' About for Oboe |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C. Baermann | Study in C |
|
| 2 | Dave Gale | Swinging Janos Or Little Red Mug from JazzFX for Oboe |
|
| 3 | Hazlehurst arr. McKean |
Last of the Summer Wine | |
| 4 | Hinke | Study in C Or Study in G from Elementary Method for Oboe |
|
| 5 | Mike Mower | Blue Truth Or Quirky Quails from The Good-Tempered Oboe |
|
| 6 | James Rae | Shot Or Javelin No. 1 Or No. 2 from Track & Field for Oboe |
|
| 7 | Graham Salter | The Satin Gown Or Sitting in the Sunshine from 35 Melodic Studies for Oboe |
|
| 8 | Philip Sparke | Music Box Waltz Or Ragtime No. 62 Or No. 63 from Starter Studies for Oboe |
|
| 9 | Sarah Watts | Study in Blue from Fresh Air for Oboe |
|
| 10 | Lynne Williams | Over and Over Or Jumping Beans No. 10 Or No. 12 from Thirty One Two Three Oboe Studies |
In Grades 1–3, candidates may play an adapted (junior) oboe.
Download recordings of pieces from our Oboe syllabus.
A volume of well-crafted arrangements for oboe at Grades 1–3.
Practice material for students preparing for Oboe exams.
New editions offering support to teachers preparing students for Practical exams.
