ABRSM, the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music, has published its new Piano Syllabus 2015 & 2016. The syllabus includes 158 newly selected pieces across all eight grades, and is supported by a range of resources including CD recordings and Piano Practice Partner, a new app designed to make practising more enjoyable and rewarding. The new syllabus will be valid for exams taken from 1 January 2015.

Wide-ranging repertoire

The syllabus offers a broad selection of inspiring pieces that have been carefully selected to offer variety and new challenges to teachers and learners alike. It features a range of works from composers from 25 different countries, from Lithuania and Ukraine to China and Japan. Popular pieces from previous syllabuses and arrangements that have been specially commissioned by ABRSM are complemented by many newly-selected works. The syllabus also features the world-premiere publication of the beautiful Prelude and Fugue formed on an Indian Scale by William Alwyn (Grade 8) and two engaging pieces (Grades 4 and 6) by composer-pianist Sergei Bortkiewicz, whose works have only rarely featured on the ABRSM Piano syllabus before.

New resources

To support candidates and teachers, ABRSM has published one volume per grade of Piano Exam Pieces. These include the sheet music for nine of the 18 pieces featured in each of Grades 1–7, and 12 of the 32 pieces featured in Grade 8. The books are available with or without CD and all other syllabus repertoire is available from a variety of publishers. ABRSM’s Piano Practice Partner, a new app for those preparing for a Grade 1 to 3 exam, will also be released in July. For more information about our Piano syllabus and supporting materials, visit www.abrsm.org/piano.