Introduction

1. Introducing our Performance diplomas

We have three levels in our suite of Performance diplomas

Use the table of contents on the right hand side to find out more about each diploma. On the next page we'll introduce the ARSM. 

2. ARSM

About the ARSM Performance diploma

• It's a Level 4 qualification.
• It's available as a face-to-face exam or a digital exam.
• Candidates need to pass ABRSM Grade 8 (Performance or Practical Grade) before they can take the ARSM. We also accept Grade 8 in instruments that are closely related. Find out more on page 11 of the Qualification Specification.
• It has been available since 2017. 

What instruments does it cover?

• Keyboard: Piano, Harpsichord, Organ
• Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Harp (pedal only)
• Woodwind: Recorder, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
• Brass: Horn, Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, E- Horn, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba
• Percussion
• Singing, Singing for Musical Theatre

What does my student need to prepare?

• A 30-minute performance of a balanced and varied programme where at least 20 minutes of music is chosen from the ARSM repertoire lists, and up to 10 minutes of music can be own-choice (of Grade 8 standard or above). There are no written or spoken elements in this exam. 
• Woodwind, Singing, and Brass candidates can include one break of up to three minutes within the 30 minutes. 
• For digital exams, this 30-minute programme must be filmed in one continuous take. 
• Read page 16 of the Qualification Specification for information on programme requirements. 

How do we mark the ARSM?

• The examiner first marks the pieces or songs out of 30 using the marking criteria on page 22 of the Qualification Specification. These criteria guide the examiner’s approach to writing comments, piece by piece, while listening, and are used to award a single mark to cover all works presented.
• After the candidate has completed their programme, the examiner awards a mark out of 20 for the performance as a whole using the second set of criteria, on page 23 of the Qualification Specification. Here the examiner assesses the entirety of the performance in terms of overall musical communication, interpretation and delivery. You can find additional guidance on how to interpret the performance as a whole criteria on page 24 of the Qualification Specification.
• The marks are added together for a final mark out of 50. 

Candidates and accompanists may bring a page-turner to assist with awkward page-turns; you don't need prior permission for this. Examiners cannot help with page-turning. In the case of organ candidates, the page-turner may also act as registrant.

3. LRSM

About the LRSM Performance diploma

• The LRSM is a Level 6 qualification.
• It's available as a digital exam. 
• Candidates must pass ABRSM Grade 8 ( Performance or Practical Grade) before they can take an LRSM. We also accept Grade 8 in instruments that are closely related or appropriate professional experience. 
• You do not need to pass the ARSM before taking an LRSM.

What instruments does it cover?

The LRSM diploma is available for the following subjects. You can find repertoire lists on our website.

• 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
• Percussion
• Singing

What does my student need to prepare?

This qualification has two components: Unit 1: Performance and Unit 2: Performance in Context. 

• Unit 1 is a performance of repertoire chosen by the candidate. It needs to be 45-minutes (±10%) in length. Candidates must choose at least 50% of the repertoire from our repertoire lists. The rest can be own-choice repertoire (at or beyond ARSM standard).
• Unit 2 is a written submission or a video on a topic chosen from a list of options. Candidates can choose to write or present in the form of a video. It should be 2,000 words (±10%) or 10 minutes in length. 

Find out more about the FRSM on the next page. 

4. FRSM

About the FRSM Performance diploma

• The FRSM is a Level 7 qualification. 
• It's available as a digital exam. 
• Candidates must pass ABRSM Grade 8 (Performance or Practical Grade) before they can take an FRSM. We also accept Grade 8 in instruments that are closely related or appropriate professional experience. 
• You do not need to pass the ARSM or LRSM in order to take the FRSM.

What instruments does it cover?

The FRSM diploma is available for the following subjects. You can find repertoire lists on our website.

• 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
• Percussion
• Singing

What does my student need to prepare?

This qualification has two components: Unit 1: Performance and Unit 2: Research and Reflection. 

• Unit 1 is a performance of repertoire chosen by the candidate. It needs to be 55-minutes (±10%) in length. Candidates must choose at least 50% of the repertoire from our repertoire lists. The rest can be own-choice repertoire (at or beyond LRSM standard).
• Unit 2 is a written submission or a video on a topic chosen from a list of options. Candidates can choose to write or present in the form of a video. It should be 3500 words (±10%) or 17 minutes in length. 

On the next few pages we'll provide more detail on Unit 1 and Unit 2. 

5. LRSM and FRSM Unit 1

How do we mark Unit 1?
The examiner first marks the pieces or songs out of 30 using the marking criteria on page 21 of the Qualification Specification. These criteria guide the examiner’s approach to writing comments - piece by piece - while listening, and are used to award a single mark to cover all works presented. Once the candidate has completed their progreamme, the examiner awards a mark out of 30 for the performance as a whole using the second set of criteria, also on page 21 of the Qualification Specification. Here the examiner assesses the entirety of the performance in terms of overall musical communication, interpretation and delivery. The marks are added together for a mark for Unit 1 out of 60. This is added to the mark for Unit 2 for the final mark for the qualification. 

Accompaniment
If music is published with an accompaniment, then the candidate must include this in their performance. Accompaniment can be provided by any suitable instrument(s), as long as the candidate is the main soloist throughout. It is the candidate’s responsibility to arrange accompanists and/or ensemble members. We do not allow pre-recorded accompaniments, unless originally intended by the composer.

Live audiences
We encourage candidates to perform to an audience at LRSM and FRSM levels, but this is not a requirement. Candidates should take into account whether to invite an audience and its intended size when choosing their venue and their option for Unit 2. 

Making the recording
Filming guidance is available on the ABRSM website. If you have filmed Performance Grades before, then the same guidance applies to the room layout, the view of the instrument etc. The performance must be recorded in one continuous take and must not be paused at any time. If the candidate is under the age of 18, the recording process must be overseen by a Responsible Adult who must be 18 or over. Both the candidate at the accompanist may bring a page-turner, if needed. 

6. LRSM and FRSM Unit 2

What is Unit 2?

Unit 2 is a piece of written work presented as an essay or a video presentation. It's gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their contextual understanding of the music they've performed in Unit 1.

What should be prepared?

Candidates choose from one of four options listed in the Qualfication Specification from page 15 to 18.  The topics cover different types of analysis of the performance, so there should be an option to suit every candidate. Candidates should include a short reflection at the end of the topic and this forms part of the word count. They should also include a bibliography, references and excerpts of musical scores where appropriate. 

Translation

Candidates can submit the written document or the video submission in any language. If this is not English, they must provide a certified translation into English at the same time. Videos in a language other than English must include English subtitles. The word counts for this Unit apply to the English translation.

How do we mark Unit 2?

Examiners mark using our criteria which you can find in the Qualification Specification on pages 23 and 27. 15 marks are available for Unit 2.

7. Your exam entry

Booking a diploma

• For a face-to-face ARSM at one of our exam venues, you can book during the booking period for your country. Details are available on the ABRSM website.
• You can also book face-to-face ARSM exams as part of a Private Visit (UK only).
• For a digital ARSM, LRSM or FRSM, you can book at any time. You have 28 days to upload the evidence.

Submitting recordings and written work

For digital exams, once you've booked you have 28 days to upload the ARSM performance, or Unit 1 and Unit 2 for LRSM and FRSM. The person who booked the exam can do this, or the candidate if they have an ABRSM account. 

LRSM and FRSM: 

• Unit 2 must include specific information, like candidate ID, word count and instrument etc. Please view the Qualification Specification on page 19 for a full list of the requirements. 
• There is an online declaration to complete when submitting evidence to confirm that this is the candidates' own work. If Unit 2 has been translated, there is a an additional form to complete for this. 

Results and certificates

We will email the person who booked the exam to let them know when the results and mark forms are ready to view. You will also receive a paper certificate in the post. 

We allocate marks for each component of the assessment as shown below:

Candidates with additional needs

We are committed to providing fair access to our assessments for candidates with specific needs by putting in place access arrangements and reasonable adjustments. ABRSM’s Fair Access Guidelines and Specific Needs Policy are available at www.abrsm.org/about-our-exams/specific-needs

Where the guidelines don't cover a candidate’s needs, we consider each case individually.

Supporting teachers

Over the coming year, we'll be adding example materials to the Teacher Hub. We hope this helps with your preparation.