View source for ABRSM

{{short description|UK music examinations board (est. 1889)}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Redirect|LRSM|the airport in Romania with that ICAO code|Satu Mare International Airport}}
{{Primary sources|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = ABRSM
| logo = ABRSM RGB Logo WarmRed.png
| logo_size = 150
| caption = 
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| former type = 
| type = [[Charitable organization|Charity]]
| traded_as = 
| industry = [[Music education]]
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| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| foundation = {{Start date|df=yes|1889|10|01}}
| founder = [[Sir]] [[George Grove]]<br /> Sir [[Alexander Mackenzie (composer)|Alexander Mackenzie]]<br />Sir [[Arthur Sullivan]]<br /> Sir [[Charles Villiers Stanford|Charles Stanford]]<br /> Sir [[Walter Parratt]]<br />Sir [[Hubert Parry]]<br />Sir [[John Stainer]]
| defunct = 
| location_city = 4 London Wall Place<br /> [[London]]<br /> EC2Y 5AU
| location_country = United Kingdom
| locations = 
| area_served = 93 countries worldwide
| key_people = [[Chris Cobb]]<br>([[Chief Executive]])<br />[[Colette Bowe]]<br /> ([[Chairman]])<br />Mervyn Cousins<br />(Chief Examiner)
| products = [[Music exams]]<br /> [[Sheet music]] publications<br />Digital music applications<br />[[Music education]] courses and events
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| net_income = [[Pound sterling|£]]45.5 million <small>(2023)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=292182&SubsidiaryNumber=0|title=Charity Commission|website=Apps.charitycommission.gov.uk|access-date=19 August 2015|archive-date=16 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316071519/https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| aum = 
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| num_employees = 182 <small>(2023)</small>
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| homepage = {{URL|abrsm.org}}
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}}
The '''ABRSM''' ('''Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music''') is an [[examination board]] and [[Charitable organization|registered charity]]<ref>{{EW charity|292182}}</ref> based in the United Kingdom. ABRSM is one of five examination boards accredited by [[Ofqual]] to award graded exams and diploma qualifications in music within the UK's [[National qualifications frameworks in the United Kingdom|National Qualifications Framework]] (along with the [[London College of Music Examinations|London College of Music]], RSL Awards (Rockschool Ltd), [[Trinity College London]], and the Music Teachers' Board). 'The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music' was established in 1889<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gb.abrsm.org/en/about-us/abrsm-history/ |title=ABRSM history |access-date=18 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213235519/http://gb.abrsm.org/en/about-us/abrsm-history |archive-date=13 February 2013}}</ref> and [[rebrand]]ed as ABRSM in 2009.<ref name=wayback/> The clarifying [[strapline]] "the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music" was introduced in 2012.<ref name=wayback>{{cite web|url=http://www.abrsm.org |title=Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music |type=archived versions of website |publisher=Internet Archive |date=19 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717154627/http://www.abrsm.org/en/home |archive-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

More than 600,000 candidates take ABRSM exams each year in over 90 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New App to Develop Aural Skills |url=https://www.journalofmusic.com/radar/new-app-develop-aural-skills |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=The Journal of Music {{!}} Music in Ireland: News, Reviews and Opinion |language=en}}</ref> ABRSM also provides a publishing house for music which produces syllabus booklets, sheet music and exam papers and runs professional development courses and seminars for teachers.

ABRSM is one of the UK's 200 largest charitable organisations ranked by annual expenditure.<ref>[http://www.charitiesdirect.com/CharitiesSearchTop500.asp?sortby=E Charities Direct: Top 500 Charities – Expenditure] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202024052/http://www.charitiesdirect.com/CharitiesSearchTop500.asp?sortby=E |date=2 December 2008 }}</ref>

==History==
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music was founded in 1889 when [[Alexander Mackenzie (composer)|Alexander Mackenzie]], then the Principal of the [[Royal Academy of Music]], and [[George Grove]], founding Director of the [[Royal College of Music]], decided that the two institutions should combine to form an associated examining board to run joint local exams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Many Singing Grades are there in the UK? {{!}} Superprof |url=https://www.superprof.co.uk/blog/singing-grades-uk/ |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=The Superprof Blog - UK |language=en-GB}}</ref> The first syllabi were published in 1890 for Piano, Organ, Violin, Cello and Harp, with Viola, Double Bass and woodwind instruments added the following year. Originally, the ABRSM had only two grades and were the equivalent of the current grades 6 and 7. Due to the demand for beginner grades, the present structure (grades 1–8) was introduced in 1933.{{cn|date=December 2022}} In 1947, the [[Royal Manchester College of Music]] (merged to form the present [[Royal Northern College of Music]]) and Royal Scottish Academy of Music (now the [[Royal Conservatoire of Scotland]]) joined ABRSM. Specifically, the Royal Schools referred to in ABRSM's title are the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Royal Northern College of Music. 

Since the post-[[World War II]] years, the ABRSM saw an increase in overseas exam applications. The curriculum also expanded, with the addition of [[Guitar]], Harpsichord, Voice, (with the option of both classical singing and singing for musical theatre), percussion, [[Recorder (musical instrument)|Recorder]] and all brass instruments. 

The 1990s saw percussion and jazz added to the syllabus. For Diplomas, LRSM was the one that was always available. The DipABRSM and FRSM were introduced much later in the year 2000<ref name="Libretto2014">{{cite journal |date=2014 |title=ABRSM through time |url=http://sg.abrsm.org/fileadmin/user_upload/PDFs/libretto0214_asia.pdf |url-status=live |journal=Libretto |publisher=ABRSM |issue=2 |pages=16–17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203012719/http://sg.abrsm.org/fileadmin/user_upload/PDFs/libretto0214_asia.pdf |archive-date=3 February 2016 |access-date=25 April 2015}}</ref> as well as similar exams for instructors and teachers.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 2001 |title=Feature: Professional Development for Teachers |url=http://www.musicteachers.co.uk/journal/2001-01_abrsm_3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412005052/http://www.musicteachers.co.uk/journal/2001-01_abrsm_3.html |archive-date=12 April 2016 |access-date=1 April 2016 |publisher=musicteachers.co.uk}}</ref> The ARSM was introduced in the year 2016&ndash;2017 to serve as a bridge between the Grade 8 and DipABRSM exams.

In 2023 ABRSM announced major revisions to their diploma syllabuses. The DipABRSM diplomas will be withdrawn and replaced by new ARSM Diplomas in teaching and directing, alongside the ARSM performance option currently offered. Additionally, the ARSM, LRSM, and FRSM syllabuses will be revised. The DipABRSM was withdrawn due to being at the same [[Regulated Qualifications Framework]] (RQF) level as ARSM and having the same learning outcomes in essence as Ali Bowen-Davies observes.<ref>{{cite web |title=ABRSM: Reviewing Our Singing Syllabuses |url=https://www.abrsm.org/en-gb/blog/reviewing-our-singing-syllabuses |date=19 October 2023}}</ref>

In 2024, Now the Diploma system is in 3 levels-ARSM, LRSM and FRSM. The Prerequisites for ARSM, LRSM and FRSM Performance are Grade 8 in the instrument. For ARSM in Directing and Teaching, there are no entry requirements. For LRSM in Teaching, you need ARSM Teaching or Grade 8 in the instrument. For LRSM Directing, you need ARSM Directing or Grade 8 in the instrument or Theory. For FRSM Directing, you need LRSM Directing. For FRSM Education, you need LRSM Teaching or ARSM Performance. There are substitutions for Grade 8, but there are no substitutions when it comes to ARSM and LRSM Diplomas as entry requirements for LRSM/FRSM. For example, someone holding a ATCL/[[AMusA]]/ARCT cannot substitute ARSM Performance to enter FRSM Education. 

For marks, ARSM is 34/50 for Pass, 40/50 for Merit and 45/50 for distinction. LRSM and FRSM are 50/75 for Pass, 60/75 for Merit and 68/75 for Distinction. 

In Performance, ARSM candidates must present a 30 minute programme with at least 20 minutes selected from the ARSM List and up to 10 minutes of own choice repertoire of pieces at around Grade 8 standard or above. For LRSM, candidates have to play a 45 minute programme of at least 50% of repertoire from the LRSM List and up to 50% can be own choice of pieces of around ARSM Standard or above, and write a 2,000 word essay for Performance in Context having four topics to choose from. For FRSM, candidates must present a 55 minute recital which at least 50% of repertoire must be from the FRSM List and up to 50% can be own choice repertoire of pieces around LRSM Standard or above. You also must write a 3,500 word essay on Research and Reflection having four topics to choose from. You do not have to pass each section to pass the overall diploma.

== Music Medals ==
[[Music Medals]]<ref>[http://www.abrsm.org/musicmedals]{{dead link|date=October 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> are [[Qualifications and Curriculum Authority|QCA]]–accredited music assessments and teaching resources aimed at younger, group-taught learners. Music Medals are distinct from graded music exams in that no external examiners are involved and the initial assessment is made by the teacher.

==Qualifications==

Ofqual is the regulator for ABRSM's qualifications of Grades and the Diplomas. The Qualifications sit on the RQF Levels Framework and make people understand the equivalent level of each qualification of ABRSM and the difficulty. The TQT and credits indicates the Size of the Qualification and tell people how long a typical learner would take to complete the qualification. For TQT you just have to multiply the credits by 10. For example in Grade 8 Performance/Practical Grades the TQT is 32 times 10= 320 hours.

{| class="wikitable"

|-
! RQF Level !! ABRSM Qualification !! Equivalent Qualification/Level !! Credits for Practical Performance Grades and Performance Diplomas !! Credits for Theory Grades and Teaching/Directing Diplomas
|-
|8 ||  || Doctoral Degree/PhD ||  || 
|-
|7 || FRSM ||  Masters Degree/PostGraduate Level || 225|| 240
|-
|6|| LRSM || Bachelors Degree ||180  || 200
|-
| 5 ||  || Higher National Diploma, Diploma of Higher Education, Foundation Degrees, 2nd Year of Bachelors Degree || 
|-
| 4 || ARSM/OLD DipABRSM || Certificate of Higher Education, Higher National Certificate, 1st Year of Bachelors Degree || 90 || 100
|-
| 3 || Grade 6-8 || As Level/A Level/IB Diploma|| 22-Grade 6, 27-Grade 7-Grade 8-32 || 13-Grade 6, 17-Grade 7, 21-Grade 8
|-
| 2 || Grade 4-5 || IGCSE Grade A* to C || 15-Grade 4, 18-Grade 5 || 7-Grade 4, 9-Grade 5
|-
| 1|| Grade 1-3 || IGCSE Grade D to G|| 6-Grade 1, 9-Grade 2, 12-Grade 3 || 2-Grade 1, 3-Grade 2, 5-Grade 3
|-
| Entry || Initial Grade ||  || 4 || 
|}

==Publications==
ABRSM published its first books in 1918<ref name="Libretto2014"/> and its publishing department was first set up in 1921 and was designed to provide suitable music for examinations, performance editions of popular works and new instructional compositions. One of the original editors was Sir [[Donald Tovey]], who wrote informative notes on the music which are still highly regarded today. ABRSM (Publishing) Ltd. was established as a separate company in 1985.

==Digital resources==
Since 2009 ABRSM has produced several practice applications to support teachers and students:

* Melody Writer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://melodywriter.org|access-date=10 July 2014|title=Melody Writer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205060816/http://melodywriter.org/|archive-date=5 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> – a tool designed to help improve melody writing and music theory knowledge and understanding
* Aural Trainer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gb.abrsm.org/en/exam-support/practice-tools-and-applications/aural-trainer|access-date=10 July 2014|title=Aural Trainer|website=Gb.abrsm.org|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714182610/http://gb.abrsm.org/en/exam-support/practice-tools-and-applications/aural-trainer|url-status=live}}</ref> – an iPhone app that helps students practice their aural skills
* Speedshifter<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruinard |first=Helena |date=2022-10-01 |title=Reviews: ABRSM strings apps |url=https://www.musicteachermagazine.co.uk/content/review/reviews-abrsm-strings-apps/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Music Teacher |language=en}}</ref> – a practice tool that allows students to vary the speed of audio without altering the pitch
* Piano Practice Partner – an app for iOS and Android devices that helps students practice exam pieces for piano at Grades 1 to 3. Piano Practice Partner plays one hand so that students can play the other as they learn.

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Official|http://gb.abrsm.org/en/home}}(UK version)
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3csvp5k BBC World Service September 2017 documentary]

{{Music schools in the United Kingdom}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Associated Board Of The Royal Schools Of Music}}
[[Category:Performing arts education in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Classical music in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Music education in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:English music]]
[[Category:Music of Scotland]]
[[Category:Educational charities based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1889]]
[[Category:ABRSM|*]]
[[Category:Music examination boards]]