Available courses
Number of topics: 1
Planning a Performance Grade exam? Not sure how to guide your students in selecting their own-choice piece? Join us for this practical and informative webinar designed especially for music teachers entering candidates for ABRSM Performance Grades.
We’ll explore how to approach the own-choice element of ABRSM Performance Grades with confidence, using clear guidance and examples to help you make informed, musical, and syllabus-appropriate decisions.
Webinar Date: 7 July 2025
Time: 8:30am – 10:00am (GMT+1)
Cost: £5
Drawing on expertise, we’ll explore what examiners are listening for and discuss how to select a piece that complements the overall programme. We'll also cover considerations of style, difficulty, technical aspects, and creative choices that help develop your students’ skills. Whether you’re preparing beginner or advanced students, this session will give you the tools to help every learner shine in their performance exam. There will also be time for questions and discussion, so you can explore how to adapt ideas for your own teaching context.
Michael O’Donnell - Biography
Living full-time in Hong Kong, Michael is the ABRSM Regional Development Executive for Hong Kong and Macau. He is also an ABRSM Examiner.
As a classically-trained flute specialist, Michael has a varied and international musical career which combines performing, teaching and adjudicating. Having performed professionally in the roles of orchestral principal, chamber musician and soloist, concert appearances have taken him to venues across the U.K., Europe and Asia.
A scholar at London’s Royal College of Music, Michael graduated with first class honours, having gained prizes for flute playing and chamber musicianship. During his time in the UK, Michael performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony, National Symphony and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. He was also involved in session work with the John Wilson Orchestra, and performed solo recitals at venues across the UK, including London’s Purcell Room.
Moving to Hong Kong , Michael was principal flute with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and Macau Orchestra. Since then he has been active in education work, including masterclasses, chamber music coaching and competition juries. He also teaches flute and piano to a wide range of students.
Michael was previously a member of the music department at Kellett School The British International School of Hong Kong; working with instrumentalists, orchestras, choirs and overseas festivals, he has amassed a great deal of experience in helping pupils of all ages and backgrounds.
Michael continues to work as an ABRSM examiner, and has visited exam centres and schools across the UK and S.E Asia. He has also given ABRSM seminars and teacher workshop presentations in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Mainland China.
Can’t attend live?
Register and pay, and we’ll send you the recording after the event.
Number of topics: 1
Join us for a short webinar where we share the latest developments regarding our new Harp syllabus. You'll get all the details you need, learn how to make the most of the syllabus, and hear about the process behind its creation.
Staff will be joined by ABRSM Harp Consultants, Keziah Thomas and Cecilia De Maria.
Date: Wednesday 14 May
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 (GMT +1)
Number of topics: 1
Join us for a dynamic and practical webinar with Francis Winston, rap educator, composer, and author of Rappin’ the Classroom – a go-to guide for teachers exploring the art of rap in their music lessons.
Date: Thursday 12 June
Time: 16:30–17:30
Price: Free
In this session, Francis will introduce key techniques for teaching rap with confidence, drawing on over 25 years of experience as a performer, educator and workshop leader. He’ll go beyond rhythm and rhyme to explore the deeper musicality and expressive potential of this rich vocal style.
Whether you’re supporting students working on rap pieces from the Singing Music Medals repertoire – which includes material written by Francis – or simply looking to bring new energy into your teaching, this session will provide inspiration, live demonstrations, and practical approaches you can apply straight away.
There will also be time for questions and discussion, so you can explore how to adapt ideas for your own teaching context.
Book and pay for your place today
Can’t attend live?
Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recording after the event.
Number of topics: 1
Join us for this session introducing Specific Needs at ABRSM.
This is a great opportunity to hear directly from James Risdon (Access Lead) and Kate Andrews (Chief Examiner), who shape many of the organisation’s arrangements and policies around Specific Needs.
We will explore the adjustments and adaptations ABRSM can offer to candidates in their exams and consider the exam process from the earliest stages of planning, through booking and preparation, to the exam day itself and beyond.
There will also be a chance to ask questions as part of this webinar.
Date: Monday 19 May 2025
Time: 15:30-16:45 (GMT+1)
This session will be recorded. If you are unable to make the date of thiswebinar but would like to view the recording, please register for thewebinar and the recording link will be sent to you after the event.
Buy your ticket for this event today!
Number of topics: 1
This event is for Heads of Voice at Music Hubs and Services and Directors of Music at Multi-Academy Trusts in the UK.
Venue: ABRSM offices, 4 London Wall Place, London, EC2Y 5AU
Date: Friday 9 May 2025
Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm (please arrive any time between 9:30 and 10am)
Price: Free of Charge
Join the ABRSM Voices team for an inspiring day of singing, learning, and innovative ideas!
Designed especially for Heads of Voice at Music Hubs and Services and Directors of Music at Multi-Academy Trusts, this dynamic training day will equip you with practical strategies to upskill generalist teachers, build confidence in choral leadership, and empower your teams to take the first steps in leading singing with impact.
Led by the exceptional ABRSM Voices Consultants, Jenny Trattles and Charles Béquignon-MacDougall, this session will provide a hands-on introduction to our ABRSM Voices programmes—showcasing how we can support you and your staff in transforming singing and choral development across your schools in the year ahead.
Expect a day filled with practical tools, fresh ideas, and plenty of music-making—all geared toward strengthening your singing provision and inspiring your team.
Previous delegates have said:
“Your wonderful mentoring, tutoring and encouragement of me personally has been so very special.” Yvonne, music lead St Charles RC Primary, North Kensington
“The perfect combination of brains and musicianship. Highly entertaining, which makes the learning curve feel less steep! Their training is the very best I have ever encountered.” Training participant
Lunch will be provided. (We’ll also be popping to the local pub afterwards!)
9:30 – 10:00 Arrival, Tea and Coffee
10:00 – 11:30 Session 1
11:30 – 11:45 Coffee Break
11:45 – 13: 00 Session 2
13:00 – 13:45 Lunch
13:45 – 14:45 Session 3
14:45 – 15:00 Coffee Break
15:00 – 16:00 Session 4