We are aware that many of our candidates across the world are living through challenging circumstances caused by Covid-19. Trinity is committed to ensuring that all candidates have the opportunity to continue with their learning and progression, so we have created the ‘Covid-19 Special Arrangements’ policy for the Digital Grades and Diplomas.
There is no formal end date to the COVID special arrangements at this time and we will provide advance notice of this being withdrawn.
Accompaniment
Initial–Grade 8: Candidates may use recorded accompaniments/backing tracks in place of a live accompanist for all digital graded exams. Drum Kit (all Group A pieces), Acoustic Guitar pieces (where tracks are required) and all Rock & Pop grades must always be accompanied by the Trinity backing tracks. For other instruments, the backing tracks may be of any type.
Please refer to this page for information on recorded accompaniments published by Trinity.
ATCL and LTCL diplomas: Drum Kit candidates may use recorded backing tracks, as in face-to-face exams. For other instruments, we strongly advise candidates to perform with live accompaniment. However, we will accept recorded accompaniments in digital diploma exams until 31 December 2023. After this date, recorded accompaniments will not be allowed in diploma exams except for Drum Kit. If recorded accompaniment is required for any other reason, approval must be obtained in advance of the exam.
Please refer to this page for information on recorded accompaniments published by Trinity.
Performing without accompaniment
Candidates may only perform without accompaniment if COVID-19 Special Arrangements for music exams are in place.
While social distancing measures and other local restrictions are in place it may be difficult for candidates to perform with their accompanist or duet partner, for a variety of reasons including:
- A national or local lockdown or other formal restrictions prevent the candidate and their accompanist from being in close proximity to each other.
- Travel restrictions prevent the accompanist or duet partner from accessing the recording location.
- The candidate is shielding for medical reasons, or is uncomfortable with being in close proximity to others because of concerns about Covid-19.
- The candidate’s usual accompanist or duet partner is shielding for medical reasons, or is uncomfortable with being in close proximity to others because of concerns about Covid-19.
- A member of the candidate’s household is shielding for medical reasons, and it is not appropriate for an accompanist to enter the house.
- The size or layout of the recording location means that social distancing is not practical.
- A school, music hub or other organisation has specific policies in place which limit the ability to use live accompaniment (for example adopting an online-only teaching policy or not allowing external people to enter the premises).
A range of alternative arrangements is in place for candidates who cannot access live accompaniment at the time of their recording. For full details, please download the Special Arrangements document. For information about special arrangements for accompaniments in classical & jazz exams, please see here.
Digital instruments
Alternative arrangements are also in place for candidates who do not have access to an acoustic instrument, for one of the following reasons:
- A national or local lockdown prevents the candidate from accessing an acoustic instrument at a different location.
- The candidate (or a member of their household) is shielding for medical reasons, and it is not possible for them to leave their house to access an acoustic instrument.
- Travel restrictions prevent the candidate from accessing an acoustic instrument.
For full details, please download the Special Arrangements document.
Drum Kits – guidance for candidates who will not be able to access an acoustic kit for their recording
We are aware that extensive lockdown measures may mean that candidates will not have access to their preferred drum kit when recording their Rock & Pop or Classical & Jazz submission. Guidance is provided below which we hope will help candidates and teachers make the best use of an electronic drum kit in these circumstances, allowing them to submit an entry which showcases their work effectively and enables our examiners to assess their submission.
For further information about using Electronic Drumkit in your exam, please read the following documents.
Rock & Pop Drums Syllabus adaptations
Classical & Jazz Drum Kit Syllabus adaptations
