Music Performance
Diplomas in Music Performance
Our diplomas in Music Performance provide opportunities for musicians above Grade 8 to gain recognition for their performance skills, knowledge and understanding at an advanced level.
Our Performance diplomas and their Regulatory Qualification Framework levels are:
- ARSM (Associate of the Royal Schools of Music) – Level 4
- LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music) – Level 6
- FRSM (Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music) – Level 7
ARSM - there are no changes to our current ARSM diploma in Music Performance, follow the link below to find out more.
New LRSM and FRSM from 2024 - you can find the qualification specification, repertoire lists and a link to additional guidance on this page. You can book and submit evidence for your diploma from 25 April 2024 onwards. Booking guidance is available on our How to book digital exams page.
DipABRSM, LRSM and FRSM ending 2024 - we are withdrawing these diplomas. See previous diplomas ending 2024 for deadlines for taking or retaking exams.
ARSM
Our ARSM diploma in Music Performance provides an opportunity for learners beyond Grade 8 to create and perform an extended programme of music and demonstrate their performance skills. You can choose from taking a face-to-face exam or a digital exam assessed from a video recording.
Our new LRSM and FRSM diplomas in Music Performance are digitally-assessed qualifications
They allow you to demonstrate your:
- Practical performance skills in a live performance environment
- Knowledge and understanding, relevant to your programme and performance, through a piece of supporting evidence
Our Performance diplomas:
- give you a wide selection of repertoire to choose from, including own-choice
- include options for supporting evidence and to submit your work in any language (with English translations)
- are assessed by specialist diploma examiners
- are available worldwide, on demand at a time to suit you
You will need to arrange a video recording of your performance. This can be in a location of your choice with or without an audience.
Qualification specification and repertoire lists – available to download on this page.
Additional guidance – please read the important information on our guidance page about booking your diploma, making video recordings and formatting and submitting your evidence.
Booking and assessment – on-demand booking and digital assessment are available from 25 April 2024. You can find booking guidance on our How to book digital exams page.
Performance LRSM and FRSM Qualification Specification
LRSM repertoire lists (from 2024)
FRSM repertoire lists (from 2024)
Our LRSM and FRSM Performance diplomas are available for:
Keyboard: Piano, Harpsichord, Organ
Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Harp
Woodwind: Recorder, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
Brass: Horn, Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, E♭ Horn, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba
Other: Percussion, Singing
To enter for a Performance ARSM, LRSM or FRSM you must have passed ABRSM Grade 8 (Performance or Practical Grade)
This should be in your diploma subject or a closely related one, as listed in the qualification specification.
In place of ABRSM Grade 8, we accept the equivalent qualification from the following awarding organisations:
- Australian Music Examinations Board
- Dublin Institute of Technology Conservatory of Music & Drama
- Guildhall School of Music & Drama
- London College of Music
- Music Teachers’ Board (MTB)
- Royal Academy of Music (Canada) (Grade 9)
- Royal Irish Academy of Music
- Trinity College London
- University of South Africa
You can also apply to offer Appropriate Professional Experience (APE) or Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) as a substitute for entry requirements.
We are withdrawing the previous DipABRSM, LRSM and FRSM diplomas. Deadlines for taking or re-taking these diplomas are:
- DipABRSM Performance – 31 December 2023
- LRSM Performance – 30 April 2024
- FRSM Performance – 31 October 2024
If you have passed part of a diploma and do not retake and pass the failed section(s) during the withdrawal period, any passed sections will no longer be valid.
We are withdrawing the DipABRSM in Music Performance completely. However, this diploma will continue to be a valid and highly respected qualification and recipients can still use the letters DipABRSM after their name.
There are no changes to the ARSM diploma in Music Performance which will continue to be available alongside our new LRSM and FRSM diplomas from 2024.
DipABRSM, LRSM and FRSM ending 2024
What’s in the assessment
- Instrumental or vocal recital
- Viva voce
- Programme notes (DipABRSM and LRSM) or written submission (FRSM)
- Quick study
Full details, including repertoire lists, are available in the Performance Diploma Syllabus 2022, available to download on this page. We also have a number supporting materials to download, including sample quick study tests and guides to writing programme notes and the viva voce.
Sample quick study tests
Download a sample quick study test to find out more about the technical level required and what to expect in the exam. For further practice, you can explore the repertoire lists for your instrument at Grades 6, 7 and 8.
