Music syllabus infringements

All exams are assessed on the basis of the performance given on the day of the exam, without regard to any external circumstances. If a candidate does not comply with exam regulations as detailed in the appropriate syllabus – examples below – the performance will be heard without prejudice by the examiner in order not to jeopardise the performance of other aspects of the exam.

The issue with the performance may be reported directly to Trinity’s London office by the examiner rather than on the candidate’s report form, so that Trinity may be able to exercise a certain amount of discretion as to the validity of the assessment process. Depending on the severity of the infringement, marks may be deducted, or, in extreme cases, the exam may be invalidated.

The outcome of referred exams will be communicated to the Trinity representative for disclosure to the candidate as soon as possible after the matter has been considered by Trinity. To ensure that all candidates are treated fairly, infringements of a similar type are always treated in the same way. Referral decisions are final and marks will not be reinstated.

Please note that the referral process may take up to 6 weeks to complete, depending on the complexity of the issue. The timeframe is taken from the date of receipt of the original report form at Trinity’s London office.

Classical/Jazz Grades - example infringements

• No accompaniment/backing track (where applicable)
• CD accompaniment (post Grade 3 classical)
• Accompaniment altered to give more support to the candidate (eg doubling of the vocal line for singers)
• Pieces/songs not selected according to the parameters of the syllabus - eg all pieces chosen from the same group
• Outside the parameters of the current syllabus (eg incorrect pieces prepared)
• Either notated improvisation (Electronic Keyboard and Jazz) or no improvisation
• Original copy/download of music not brought to the exam
• Photocopies of non-Trinity publications not provided for the examiner
• No copy of music provided for own composition and/or own composition below standard
• Simplified or shortened edition of a piece performed
• Outside the parameters of the current syllabus (Technical Work)
• Entered for wrong level exam
• Special Educational Needs not notified
• Used interpreter without prior authority
• Suspicion of malpractice
• Presentation of medical certificate

Recorder Grades - example infringements

As Classical/Jazz above, plus the following:

• Only one size recorder (Grades 6-8)

Guitar Grades - example infringements

As Classical/Jazz above, plus the following:

• Steel-stringed or electric guitar used in a classical guitar exam
• Classical guitar used in a Grade 6-8 plectrum guitar exam
• No plectrum used in a plectrum exam
• Amplifier used in classical guitar exam

Singing Grades - example infringements

As Classical/Jazz above, plus the following:

• Folk Song/Vaccai/Bray exercises not performed from memory
• Vaccai not sung in Italian
• Bray exercises presented transposed but not by all the same interval
• Unaccompanied folk song not listed in Technical Work section of syllabus
• Unaccompanied folk song sung with accompaniment
• Bray/Vaccai performed unaccompanied
• More than one song by the same composer performed
• Only one living language song presented at Grades 6-8

Certificates - example infringements

As Classical/Jazz above, plus the following:

• Too much own choice repertoire
• Programme too short
• Own choice standard too low

Diplomas - example infringements

As Classical/Jazz above, plus the following:

• No programme approval letter presented (non-syllabus piece presented)
• Programme too short
• No live accompaniment
• No copies of the music provided for the examiner

Rock & Pop - example infringements

As Classical/Jazz above, plus the following:

• No Technical Focus piece
• More than one own choice piece presented
• No copy of music provided for own choice piece
• Own composition/own choice piece not difficult enough

For more information about Rock & Pop exams, please see the Rock & Pop website.

Contact us

If you are still unsure of what you need to do or what to expect on the day, please contact music@trinitycollege.com and we will be happy to assist you.