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Music Theory Exam update – session two
On the basis of government advice, we are cancelling the Music Theory exams due to take place later in 2020. We are sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your ongoing loyalty and support.
Practical Saxophone Grade 2 exams consist of three pieces, chosen by the candidate from the appropriate lists in the current syllabus, scales and broken chords, sight-reading and aural tests.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. 100 marks are required to achieve Pass, 120 marks to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
Find out about our Performance Grades and alternative route to a graded music exam.
Three pieces: one chosen by the candidate from each of the three Lists, A, B and C - 30 marks each
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C. P. E. Bach arr. Blackwell |
 AllegrettoNo. 6 from Kurze und leichte Klavierstücke, H 198 |
|
| 2 | Glinka arr. Litten |
Polka
|
|
| 3 | Shield arr. Davies |
The Ploughboy
|
|
| 4 | Anon. arr. Sparke |
Mr Scoolding's Minuet | |
| 5 | Marjorie Corker arr. Denley |
On the Hills from In Ireland |
|
| 6 | Gluck arr. Lawrance |
Aria from Orfeo ed Euridice |
 Winner Scores All for Saxophone, arr. LawranceBrass Wind (0331) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Winner Scores All for Alto Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331APA) |
| 7 | Handel arr. Harris and Calland |
Trio from Water Music |
|
| 8 | Schubert arr. Scott |
Who is Sylvia? |
 Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and ScottAstute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for E♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-14) |
| 9 | Tchaikovsky arr. Buckland |
March of the Wooden Soldiers |
Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for E♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-14) |
| 10 | Philip Sparke | Trumpet Tune |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beswick | Farewell for a Fox No. 1 from Six for Sax |
|
| 2 | Kabalevsky arr. Bullard |
Waltz No. 13 from 24 Easy Pieces, Op. 39 |
|
| 3 | Ros Stephen | Greenmarket Square No. 2 from E♭ Saxophone Globetrotters |
|
| 4 | Bart arr. Harris and Calland |
Food, Glorious Food! from Oliver! |
|
| 5 | Ned Bennett | Barbeque Blues from Jazz Club Alto Saxophone, Grades 1–2 |
|
| 6 | Rob Buckland | Paris |
Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for E♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-14) |
| 7 | Alan Bullard | Waltzing to Wembley | |
| 8 | Gilkyson arr. Lawrance |
The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book |
Winner Scores All for Saxophone, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Winner Scores All for Alto Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331APA) |
| 9 | Alan Haughton | Flying High No. 2 from Rhythm & Rag for E♭ Saxophone |
|
| 10 | Philip Sparke | Pony and Trap Or Summer Siesta |
 No. 2 Or No. 3 from Skilful Solos for Alto Saxophone, arr. SparkeAnglo Music (AMP 190-400) More details |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bizet arr. ABRSM |
Prelude from L'Arlésienne, Suite No. 1 |
|
| 2 | Pete Churchill | Boston Blues
|
|
| 3 | Mark Nightingale | New Document No. 4 from [email protected] for Saxophone |
|
| 4 | C. Baermann | Study in C | |
| 5 | Alan Bullard | Grooving Sax Or Sax Swings Out No. 16 Or No. 18 from Sixty for Sax |
|
| 6 | Chris Gumbley | Mouse Drop-In | |
| 7 | Klosé | Study in G | |
| 8 | Mike Mower | Flat Feet No. 8 from The Good-Tempered Saxophone |
|
| 9 | James Rae | March of the Chipolatas Or Crystal Waltz No. 4 Or No. 6 from 36 More Modern Studies for Solo Saxophone |
|
| 10 | Graham Salter | Blown Away from 35 Melodic Studies for Saxophone |
Three pieces: one chosen by the candidate from each of the three Lists, A, B and C - 30 marks each
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C. P. E. Bach arr. Blackwell |
Allegretto No. 6 from Kurze und leichte Klavierstücke, H 198 |
|
| 2 | Glinka arr. Litten |
Polka | |
| 3 | Shield arr. Davies |
The Ploughboy | |
| 4 | Anon. arr. Sparke |
Mr Scoolding's Minuet | |
| 5 | Marjorie Corker arr. Denley |
On the Hills from In Ireland |
|
| 6 | Gluck arr. Lawrance |
Aria from Orfeo ed Euridice |
Winner Scores All for Saxophone, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Winner Scores All for Tenor Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331TPA) |
| 7 | Handel arr. Harris and Calland |
Trio from Water Music |
|
| 8 | Schubert arr. Scott |
Who is Sylvia? |
Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for B♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-13) |
| 9 | Tchaikovsky arr. Buckland |
March of the Wooden Soldiers |
Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for B♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-13) |
| 10 | Philip Sparke | Trumpet Tune |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beswick | Farewell for a Fox | |
| 2 | Kabalevsky arr. Bullard |
Waltz No. 13 from 24 Easy Pieces, Op. 39 |
|
| 3 | Ros Stephen | Greenmarket Square No. 2 from B♭ Saxophone Globetrotters |
|
| 4 | Ned Bennett | Missed Chances from Jazz Club Tenor Saxophone, Grades 1–2 |
|
| 5 | Rob Buckland | Paris |
Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for B♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-13) |
| 6 | Alan Bullard | Waltzing to Wembley | |
| 7 | Gilkyson arr. Lawrance |
The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book |
Winner Scores All for Saxophone, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Winner Scores All for Tenor Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331TPA) |
| 8 | Alan Haughton | Flying High No. 2 from Rhythm & Rag for B♭ Saxophone |
|
| 9 | Philip Sparke | Pony and Trap Or Summer Siesta |
 No. 2 Or No. 3 from Skilful Solos for Tenor Saxophone, arr. SparkeAnglo Music (AMP 368-400) More details |
| 10 | Pam Wedgwood | Chinese Take It Away |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bizet arr. ABRSM |
Prelude from L'Arlésienne, Suite No. 1 |
|
| 2 | Pete Churchill | Boston Blues | |
| 3 | Mark Nightingale | New Document No. 4 from [email protected] for Saxophone |
|
| 4 | C. Baermann | Study in C | |
| 5 | Alan Bullard | Grooving Sax Or Sax Swings Out No. 16 Or No. 18 from Sixty for Sax |
|
| 6 | Chris Gumbley | Mouse Drop-In | |
| 7 | Klosé | Study in G | |
| 8 | Mike Mower | Flat Feet No. 8 from The Good-Tempered Saxophone |
|
| 9 | James Rae | March of the Chipolatas Or Crystal Waltz No. 4 Or No. 6 from 36 More Modern Studies for Solo Saxophone |
|
| 10 | Graham Salter | Blown Away from 35 Melodic Studies for Saxophone |
Candidates enter for an exam on Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Baritone saxophone. There are separate repertoire lists for the Eb and Bb instruments; all other requirements are common to the four instruments.
Related instrument option: At all grades, candidates for any of the four saxophones (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone) have the option of playing their List C piece on one of the other three. There is no advantage to be gained over other candidates in taking this option, and all the other requirements must be played using the saxophone on which the candidate has entered.
In Grades 1–3, candidates may play a non-metal saxophone.
Download recordings of syllabus repertoire for Alto Saxophone.
A selection of pieces from the 2018-2021 Saxophone syllabus.
Volumes of well-crafted and idiomatic arrangements for saxophone.
Practice material for students preparing for Saxophone exams.
New editions offering support to teachers preparing students for Practical exams.
