Performance diplomas - a guide
Completion requirements
This short guide provides an introduction to our new Performance diploma suite. It does not replace the Qualification Specification.
If you are planning to take a diploma or prepare a student for one, it's important to read the Qualification Specification in full before preparing. Use the contents list on the right-hand side to navigate through the different diplomas.
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?
The ARSM 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 (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.
You can find filming guidance 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.
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.
Find out more about the LRSM on the next page.