Your soprano/tenor saxophone grade 8 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. J. S. Bach Andante and Allegro: 3rd and 4th movts from Sonata da Gamba (No. 2 in D, BWV 1028), trans. Nichols for tenor saxophone (Saxtet Publications)
    2. J. S. Bach Adagio and Allegro: 2nd and 3rd movts from Sonata in G minor, BWV 1020, trans. Harle (Universal UE 17774: Eb/Bb edition)
    3. Demersseman Premier Solo (Andante et Boléro) for tenor saxophone (Lemoine 27683)
    4. Fiocco Allègre: 1st movt from Concerto, arr. Bazelaire/Londeix for tenor saxophone (Schott SF 9260)
    5. Guilhaud First Concertino, trans. Voxman for tenor saxophone (observing cadenza) (Rubank)
    6. B. Marcello Allegro moderato and Adagio, or Adagio and Allegro: 1st and 2nd movts, or 2nd and 3rd movts from Concerto in C minor for soprano saxophone, arr. Joosen (Molenaar)
    7. Singelée Concerto for tenor saxophone, Op. 57 (observing coda) (Lemoine 26258: published with Opp. 84, 92 and 75)
    8. Singelée Fantaisie pastorale for tenor saxophone, Op. 56 (observing cadenza) (Lemoine 27929)
    9. Burnet Tuthill Andante and Fast: 2nd and 3rd movts from Sonata for tenor saxophone, Op. 56 (Southern Music)

    LIST B

    1. Alan Bullard Workout for tenor or soprano saxophone (Colne Edition)
    2. Colin Cowles Of Spain for tenor saxophone (Studio Music)
    3. Martin Ellerby Northampton and Attleborough: 3rd and 5th movts from Albion Dances for tenor saxophone (Studio Music)
    4. Roderick Elms Cygncopations for alto or tenor saxophone (observing lower line in ossias) (Camden Music CM258: Eb/Bb edition)
    5. Morton Gould Recitatives and Prelude (observing cadenza), or Rags and Waltzes, or Quicksteps and Trios: 1st or 3rd or 5th movt from Diversions for tenor saxophone (slap-tongue & flutter-tongue optional) (G. Schirmer GS82055)
    6. Pedro Iturralde Kalamatianos and Funky (as written, ignoring improvisation option): from Suite hellénique (Lemoine 26054: Eb/Bb edition)
    7. Piazzolla Night-club 1960 (last note may be played an 8ve lower): from Histoire du Tango, trans. Isoda for soprano saxophone (Lemoine 26820)
    8. James Rae Barcarolle and Toccata: 2nd and 3rd movts from Sonatina for soprano saxophone (Reedimensions RD087)
    9. Villa-Lobos Animé: 1st movt from Fantasia for soprano or tenor saxophone (Peermusic Classical)
    10. Nigel Wood Schwarzer Tänzer for saxophone (Saxtet Publications: Eb/Bb edition)

    LIST C

    1. Chris Allen Allegretto (scherzando): 3rd movt from Sonatina for solo saxophone (Emerson E589)
    2. J. S. Bach Menuet 1, Menuet 2 and Gigue: from Suite No. 1 for solo saxophone, trans. Londeix (Lemoine 24054)
    3. Rob Buckland Abstraction. Changing Times for Solo Saxophone (Astute Music)
    4. Alan Bullard Wandering Sax or Sax Polonaise: No. 59 or No. 60 from Sixty for Sax (ABRSM)
    5. P. M. Dubois Tango: No. 14 from 17 Études dansantes for solo saxophone (Billaudot GB5740)
    6. Graham Fitkin Jim and Pam and Pam and Jim for solo instrument (Fitkin)
    7. Kreutzer Study in E. No. 80 from 80 Graded Studies for Saxophone, Book 2 (Faber)
    8. James Rae Devil’s Brew: No. 36 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 6-8 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 6-8 Book (a guide with tests) and/or ABRSM Specimen Sight-Reading Tests Grade 8 Book (specimen tests).

     

    *Information correct at time of publishing 14.03.16


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