I need a Classical piece for my diploma program for violin and was wondering if anyone thought the Mozart Sonata in E minor might be appropriate or do you think it is too easy? I know there are other sonatas on the list by Mozart but the first movement of the E minor sonata is about five minutes in length and fits within the time frame for a piece of my own choice. If it's too easy I'll just have to pick one of the Beethoven or Mozart sonatas on the list.

I'm not worried about the repertoire as I'm doing a diploma for fun. I already have my Bachelor's in Music Performance on violin but earned my degree in the US. Since I'm living in Kenya it seems to be important to have these ABRSM certificates!

Currently, my program looks like:

Bach Solo Partita in D minor (two movements)
Dvorak Romantic Pieces (complete)
Bloch Nigun from Baal Shem or Kabelevsky Concerto in C (1st movement)

Too easy . It's been set for Grade 7, try K454 in B flat

I disagree. The average grade 7 candidate may be able to hack through this piece, but this is sublime music that can test the musicality and fluency of the most accomplished performer.

Now I'm confused! I don't want to get in trouble with the board but would really love to do this piece! I 've checked out the Sassmannshaus graded repertoire and they group all the Mozart sonatas together in difficulty. Would it be worth writing to ABRSM and asking about this or do they not advise you on individual pieces like this?

It is worth asking. The worst that can happen is that they won't reply. That will not leave you any worse off than you are now.

As to level of difficulty. If you are already planing to present some pieces where it is a challenge just to hit the right notes at the right speed then I don't see why there should be any problem including a piece that has been set for grade 7, but that needs a world-class musician to do it full justice. The piano repertoires for DipABRSM and LRSM contain some Scarlatti sonatas that a grade 5 pianist could probably manage, so the board obviously considers more than mere dexterity when choosing pieces for their repertoire lists.

Yes, as an example on the flute syllabus there is a Handel sonata where the hardest movement has been set for Grade 6, and the Mathias Sonatina which has had all three of its movements set for Grade 7. The LRSM syllabus contains a piece that was on the last Grade 8 syllabus. I played a Grade 5 Mozart piece for my (successful) Dip.