Hi everyone. I've just joined this forum as I have finally found myself a new violin teacher after having moved to the Glossop area 2 years ago. I intend to carry on where I left off which was a couple of months away from taking Grade V. I then hope to do Grade VI. I have just spoken to my new teacher and she said I would have to do Grade V theory before carrying on to Grade VI. However, I was under the impression that having passed an O Level in Music I didn't then have to take the theory. Have the rules changed? I also have a BEd in Music. I would be grateful for any input. Thanks

Sorry, your O Level Music does not count as far as the ABRSM goes and neither does your BEd. You need a pass in grade 5 theory but the mere fact that you have passed both your O Level in music and your BEd means that you will find grade 5 theory nice and straightforward.

Good luck with the theory and with the violin.

Thanks for that. I must say, I find it ludicrous that even after passing music exams at degree level, I still have to take Grade V theory! I'll do it because I need to to carry on but I still think it's weird.

You can do grade five practical musicianship instead if you'd rather...

You could do Grade 8 for more of a challenge But yes, I do agree it's silly.

See page 9 in the new edition of "Libretto" where this very question is raised.

The person to contact at ABRSM is Louise Leigh in the Director of Examinations Dept.
From the UK her number is 020 7467 8247 or e-mail direxams@abrsm.ac.uk

May not get you far but I hope it does. Seems very unnecessary to me to expect a degree-holding musician to take Grade 5 theory in order to move up the practical grades.

Hope this helps - best of luck and let us know how you get on.

I looked at this sort of question a couple of years ago, wondering about doing the Dip. I have O, A and S level music, plus a music degree and two other music diplomas.

I'd probably have had to take grade 8; although I have grade 8 it's not in the instrument I'd want to do the dip in.

Then I realised I'd have to do grade 5 theory before I could do grade 8. No problem of course - I've just put someone through the theory with a mark of 94%. But something else to factor in.

This was the point I decided there were just too many hoops to jump through.

Good luck Gilliwigs. Maybe you've a bit more persistence than me !

I'm sorry but my "O" Level music exempted me from Grade 5 Theory for all of my upper level exams. "O" Level music is a very different exam from GCSE, and in the 1980's was seen to be an equivalent of Grade 5 Theory. You could not say that of GCSE. Where is the formal Harmny and Counterpoint for a start?

Whether or not it counts now I don't know, but I know the board does not deem it necessary for me to pass Grade 5 theory as I now have two A levels in music and a BA degree.

It clearly states in the regulations that each case is judged on its own merits, and you need to apply to the board for clarification.

Your "O" level may well count. Contact the board and find out.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I will pass them on to my new violin teacher. Just to add that I did take Grades VI & VII piano without doing Grade V theory as I had my Music O Level but that was 30 years ago! I'll let you know what happens.

Maybe they'll accept yout grade 7 piano certificate as 'proof' that you've done grade 5 theory, or an equivalent they're happy with. It's worth asking that . Just email the question to the address given in this thread .

Grade 5 theory is not required by Trinity Guildhall. Why not take a look at that instead? (See other threads about standards - but both have the same status.)