14 Accompanists, interpreters, page-turners and escorts
a) Candidates must provide their own accompanist, who may remain in the exam room only while engaged in accompanying. The candidate’s teacher may act as accompanist; under no circumstances will the examiner do so except in the Prep Test. Candidates in solo Jazz subjects (except Piano) who opt to use ABRSM’s published backing tracks in place of a live accompaniment must provide their own CD player and CD.
b) All exams are conducted in English. A candidate who is not comfortable using English is permitted to bring an independent person (who is neither the candidate's music teacher nor a relative of the candidate) to the exam room as interpreter; prior permission is not required.
c) With the exception of an accompanist and/or interpreter, the candidate is normally not permitted to bring another person into the exam room with him/her. However, in exceptional circumstances permission may be given at ABRSM's discretion for someone to be present in the exam room with the candidate. To request this, at the time of entry the Applicant should nominate someone who is neither the candidate's music teacher nor a relative of the candidate, giving details of the reasons for the request.
d) Candidates are normally required to make any page-turns in their music themselves. Under no circumstances will the examiner act as page-turner. However, candidates taking a Grade 7 or 8 exam (particularly in Double Bass, Guitar, Harp or Percussion) may apply to bring a page-turner where this is absolutely essential and other means of managing difficult page-turns are not possible. In such cases, permission must be requested in writing from ABRSM at the time of entry, giving details of the piece containing the difficult page-turn and the edition to be used. ABRSM’s letter granting permission should be brought to the exam room. Organ candidates at any grade may bring a pageturner (who may also assist with changes of registration in a Grade 7 or Grade 8 exam); prior permission is not required. (See regulation 15k regarding the legality of photocopying music).
e) If necessary, a candidate’s accompanist is permitted to bring a page-turner (for a Grade 8 exam only) to assist with difficult page-turns in the piano part; prior permission is not required.