Trinity history

150 years of Trinity history

1872

Bonavia Hunt and Sir Frederick A Gore Ousley establish the Church Choral Society and College of Church Music, London.

1875

Trinity College London is incorporated under Companies Act 1862 consisting of two divisions, Academic and Choral.

1877

Beginning of the College's external music exams. The first tests are in elementary musical knowledge, quickly expanding to practical music exams. Just two years later these exams are administered in 200 local centres throughout the UK.

1881

The local theoretical exams are extended to India.

1895

Practical exams are introduced in Australasia and South Africa.

1904

Trinity College London changes its name to Trinity College of Music London.

1921

Trinity College of Music registers 53,180 exams.

1938

Trinity begins English language assessments.

1947

The early music department is re-formed as the Department for Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century Music. The department subsequently moves to Fenton House in Hampstead before all activities finally transfer to the main college premises.

1972

The College celebrates its centenary with a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, and a dinner attended by almost 700 invited guests at Grosvenor House, Park Lane.

1992

A separate company, limited by guarantee, Trinity College London Ltd (TCL), is established. The company is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission in the UK.

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1993

Formal separation of the exams business Trinity College London from Trinity College of Music.

1995

Trinity College London Argentina is established.

1996

Trinity College London receives Queen's Award for Exports.

2001

Trinity College of Music relocates from London's Marylebone to the iconic Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

2004

Trinity College London performing arts exams division merges with the external department of the Guildhall Music and Drama to form Trinity Guildhall.

2005

Arts Award launches in the UK, in partnership with Arts Council England, with a mission to support young people to deepen their engagement with the arts, and build creative and leadership skills.

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2006-2007

Trinity Guildhall Music, Drama and Speech syllabus launches.

2009-2010

Trinity College London India is established.

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2012

The name Trinity Guildhall was dropped and the board's performing arts exams are now offered under the Trinity College London brand.

2015

The first ten Secure English Language Test centres, operated by Trinity College London, open nationally in the UK.

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2016

BCELT (now Trinity College London Italy) is acquired into the Trinity family.

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2020

Trinity College London launches digital grades and diplomas.

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2021

Trinity College London Spain is established.

2022

Trinity College London China is established.

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