Your alto/baritone saxophone grade 2 ABRSM exam will be marked out of 150 and you will need a total of 100 marks to Pass, 120 marks for a Merit and 130 marks for a Distinction.  The exam comprises of four main areas:

    Pieces

    In your exam you are required to play three pieces (worth up to 30 marks each), one from each of the three lists, A, B and C below:

    LIST A

    1. Marjorie Corker On the Hills (from In Ireland) Time Pieces for Eb Saxophone, Vol. 1, arr. Denley (ABRSM)
    2. Robert Jones In Sherwood livde stout Robin Hood Time Pieces for Eb Saxophone, Vol. 1, arr. Denley (ABRSM)
    3. Fauré Berceuse (from Dolly Suite). Classic Experience Encores for Alto Saxophone, arr. Lanning (Cramer)
    4. Handel Trio (from Water Music). First Repertoire for Alto Saxophone, arr. Harris and Calland (Faber)
    5. Schubert Who is Sylvia? Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott (Astute Music: Eb piano accomp. published separately)
    6. Tchaikovsky March of the Wooden Soldiers Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott (Astute Music: Eb piano accomp. published separately)
    7. Philip Sparke Trumpet Tune. No. 6 from Skilful Solos for Alto Saxophone, arr. Sparke (Anglo Music AMP 190- 400)
    8. Tchaikovsky Chanson triste, arr. Harle. Repertoire Explorer for Alto Saxophone (Universal UE 21486)
    9. Trad. What shall we do with the drunken sailor? No. 6 from Up-Grade! for Alto Saxophone, Grades 1–2, arr. Wedgwood (Faber)

    LIST B

    1. Bart Food, Glorious Food! First Repertoire for Alto Saxophone, arr. Harris and Calland (Faber)
    2. Ned Bennett Barbeque Blues: from Jazz Club for Alto Saxophone, Grades 1–2 (IMP)
    3. Aubrey Beswick Farewell for a Fox or Waltz for a Wallaby. Repertoire Explorer for Alto Saxophone (Universal UE 21486)
    4. Rob Buckland Paris. Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott (Astute Music: Eb piano accomp. published separately)
    5. Mike Mower Looking Out for You: from Future Hits for Alto or Baritone Saxophone (Itchy Fingers Publications 056)
    6. Satie Prélude (from Jack in the Box). Time Pieces for Eb Saxophone, Vol. 1, arr. Denley (ABRSM)
    7. Philip Sparke Pony and Trap or Summer Siesta. No. 2 or No. 3 from Skilful Solos for Alto Saxophone, arr. Sparke (Anglo Music AMP 190-400)
    8. Ros Stephen Greenmarket Square: No. 2 from Eb Saxophone Globetrotters (OUP: piano accomp. printable from companion CD)
    9. Pam Wedgwood Rosemary and Thyme. No. 8 from Up-Grade! for Alto Saxophone, Grades 1–2, arr. Wedgwood (Faber)

    LIST C

    1. C. Baermann Study in C. No. 12 from 80 Graded Studies for Saxophone, Book 1 (Faber)
    2. Wiedemann Study in C. No. 19 from 80 Graded Studies for Saxophone, Book 1 (Faber)
    3. Alan Bullard Reeling Sax or Saxophone Sentimentale: No. 10 or No. 15 from Sixty for Sax (ABRSM)
    4. Chris Gumbley Mouse Drop-In. No. 4 from Double Click!! for Solo Saxophone (Gumbles Publications)
    5. John Harle Study in F. Repertoire Explorer for Alto Saxophone (Universal UE 21486)
    6. Mike Mower Flat Feet: from The Good-Tempered Saxophone (Itchy Fingers Publications 057)
    7. James Rae March of the Chipolatas or Crystal Waltz: No. 4 or No. 6 from 36 More Modern Studies for Solo Saxophone (Universal UE 21613)

    Scales & Arpeggios

    As part of your exam you are also required to play scales & arpeggios from memory (worth up to 21 marks) - please see the ABRSM Saxophone Grades 1-8 Scale Book

    Sight-Reading Test

    You will also be required to sight-read some music that you have not seen before (worth up to 21 marks) - to prepare for this part of your exam please see the ABRSM Saxophone Grades 1-5 Sight-Reading Book which has a selection of specimen sight-reading pieces.

    Aural Tests

    In another part of your exam you will be required to complete a set of aural tests challenging your musicianship (worth up to 18 marks). To help prepare for this please see the ABRSM Aural Training in Practice Grades 1-3 Book (a guide with tests) and/or ABRSM Specimen Sight-Reading Tests Grades 1-3 Book (specimen tests).

     

    *Information correct at time of publishing 14.03.16


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