The London College of Music (LCM) was founded in 1887 with a mission to improve musical standards across the UK and to offer a range of qualifications to all ages, sexes and backgrounds.
Today, their examinations are sat around the globe with a forward thinking syllabus at the heart of its ethos.
In January 2019, the LCM gave its endorsement to the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) Trainee Adjudicator Scheme; an indication to their commitment to help maintain the highest levels of musicianship in brass playing and brass bands in particular.
Current syllabus
The current syllabus contains many attractive choices of repertoire whilst the new brass syllabus, currently being devised, will further develop the repertoire from the brass band genre.
In January 2019, the LCM gave its endorsement to the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) Trainee Adjudicator Scheme; an indication to their commitment to help maintain the highest levels of musicianship in brass playing and brass bands in particular.
Find out more: https://lcme.uwl.ac.uk/exams/brass
Flexibility
One of the attractions of London College of Music Examinations (LCME) is the flexibility that they offer.
Whilst the standard format of scales, pieces, sight-reading and aural tests (with a discussion with the examiner) is available, so too are several other options: https://lcme.uwl.ac.uk/media/1475/music-grades-syllabus.pdf
At every stage (apart from performance award) the exams carry exactly the same Ofqual accreditation as exams offered from other boards.
Those not quite ready for Grade 1, but who still wish to have their endeavours certified, have the option to choose pre-prep, step 1 or step 2 exams.
Options:
Since the lockdown, LCME has been working to keep in contact with candidates and teachers and to find a way to provide exams remotely.
There are now two new options for candidates to do this.
On-line Exams:
These are available now and are conducted in much the same way as live face to face exams.
http://https://lcme.uwl.ac.uk/exams/digital-exams/online-exams
Recorded Exam:
Uploaded as a recorded performance rather than a live one-to-one situation, again with Ofqal accreditation that will also include technical work and a discussion component.
Repertoire from other exam boards at the same level is acceptable.
https://lcme.uwl.ac.uk/exams/digital-exams/recorded-exams
Ensembles and groups
Entries for performance awards are still being accepted as before and the information for those can be found at: https://lcme.uwl.ac.uk/exams/digital-exams/performance-awards
Once regular rehearsals are again permitted, there is another type of exam which might be of interest.
It will appeal to youth bands and school ensembles and can be taken as an ensemble.
It will appeal to youth bands and school ensembles and can be taken as an ensemble.
These have proved to be great fun as they are very rewarding and are perfectly suited to encourage ensemble performance.
https://lcme.uwl.ac.uk/media/1520/ensemble-syllabus.pdf
Other instruments and conducting:
All this and the LCME also offer all the other usual instrumental exams (drum kit and tuned percussion, theory, piano, singing etc) but also qualifications in conducting, Music Theatre, drama and communication and a wide range of others.
https://lcme.uwl.ac.uk
LCME are committed to staying relevant to music education both in the UK and abroad and are particularly keen to develop their relationship with the brass band audience.
For further information, please visit the website, email lcm.exams@uwl.ac.uk or visit their various social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
