Film music, Brass Band repertoire and Afro-Cuban rhythms influence the international exam board ABRSM’s widest ever Brass syllabus repertoire.
The board’s new Brass syllabus, launched on 8 September 2022, adds a host of new colourful and popular pieces from film, TV and musicals, as well as music from composers from traditionally underrepresented groups, to ‘old favourites’.
The syllabus takes effect from 1 January 2023 and is designed for orchestral brass and brass band players, as well as suiting different learning and playing contexts, from solo practice to group learning, whether in a whole class or a mixed ensemble.
ABRSM Learning and Qualifications Development Manager Russell Jackson said, ‘We’re really pleased with the new syllabus and hope students and teachers alike will share our enthusiasm for the choice it offers. We’ve reflected valuable comments about supporting tests and gone to real lengths to recognise a broader range of tastes and genres. We’re also proud of the new flexibility that it offers to suit a wider range of learning environments and combinations of musicians.’
The syllabus covers Horn, Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone, Flugelhorn, Tenor Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium and Tuba, with most instrument lists now extending to ten pieces.
A selection of syllabus pieces will feature in Brass Mix – two new repertoire books launching later this year.
