Update on TCL Piano Exams

It has been more than a year now since students have been formally assessed at the piano. Having returned to face-to-face teaching three weeks ago, there have been several questions on when and how exams will resume.

A new Exam Board

As previously announced, all students will now be assessed by Trinity College London. Their new piano syllabus - announced last summer and active from this year forwards - is exemplary. It sets a high bar for holistic musical examination, a bar which ABRSM have conspicuously failed to meet with their own 2021 offering.

Online or Face-to-face?

TCL has said that they are committing to running face-to-face exams during the summer session, though they haven’t yet announced when face-to-face exams will take place. On their website, TCL state that 21 June is the earliest possible date for face-to-face exams, with more information about specific dates and exam centres to be published soon.

Entry deadline and fees for online exams

The good news for students is that online exams are currently available to enter. There is no deadline for entering an online exam; when your teacher thinks you are ready, your entry will be submitted and you will be given a two-week window to record your exam.

The exam itself will consist of three pieces, three exercises and the scales and arpeggios. Supporting tests such as aural, sight-reading and improvisation are not assessed online.