ABRSM Grade 8 Snare Drum

General Info

• Candidates must play at least one piece for multiple percussion.
• All pieces and studies should be played with the snares on unless marked otherwise in the music.
• Candidates must choose three pieces from the repertoire list, including at least one piece marked with #.
• Up to two pieces by the same composer may be played.
• Candidates must play the upper part when pieces that are published as duets.
• Candidates must provide their own accompanist(s).
• Pieces accompanied by percussion must be played on a separate instrument from the candidates'.

Song List

Item	Works	Composer	Publication	Publisher	Instrumentation	Video
1	Fox Trot and Fandango	Warren Benson	Three Dances for Solo Snare Drum	Hal Leonard	Snare Drum Only
2	Dances for Five Drums	Jan Bradley	Dances for Five Drums	Jan Bradley	3 Tom-toms & Bongos
3	Engine Room	James Campbell	Engine Room	Row-Loff Productions	Bongos & Tom-toms & Bass Drum & Headless Tambourine & Jam Block & Cowbell & Suspended Cymbal
4	Popeye	Stacey Duggan	Just Desserts	Row-Loff Productions	Optional Aerial Flip
5	It's About Time	Michael Lynch	Just Desserts	Row-Loff Productions	Optional Visual Enhancement
6	Movement 2	Guy Gauthreaux II	American Suite for Unaccompanied Snare Drum	Meredith Music Publications	Snare Drum Only
7	Pontiac	Anthony Kerr	ABRSM Principal Percussion	Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music	Piano Accompanied
8	Cave Dance	Glenn Kotche	Cave Dance	Alfred Music	Foot Pedal Instrument (Bass Drum or Cowbell etc.)
9	Gorymdaith	Alex Neal	Gorymdaith	Southern Percussion	Tenor Drum & Pedal Bass Drum
10	Antrieb	Cameron Sinclair	Antrieb	Scottish Music Centre	Snare Drum Only

Technical Requirements

Candidates prepare two studies at each grade and examiners will request which one is to be played in the exam. Each Study is based on a set of rudiments; these are listed on the sheet music.

List	Publications	Notes	Video Performance
Study A	Percussion Studies, ABRSM Grades 6-8	Studies are in important way to develop technical skills such as stick control, balance between hands, fluency and articulation. They also help to develop tone, pulse and dynamic control, and familiarity with rudimental patterns. This leads to greater confidence and security when sight-reading, learning new pieces and performing - from a score or from memory, as a solo musician or with others.
Study B	Percussion Studies, ABRSM Grades 6-8	Studies are in important way to develop technical skills such as stick control, balance between hands, fluency and articulation. They also help to develop tone, pulse and dynamic control, and familiarity with rudimental patterns. This leads to greater confidence and security when sight-reading, learning new pieces and performing - from a score or from memory, as a solo musician or with others.

Sight Reading

Sight-reading is a valuable skill with many benefits. Learning to sight-read helps to develop quick recognition of common rhythm patterns and tonality. Strong Sight-reading skills make learning new pieces quicker and easier, and also help when making music with others, so that playing in an ensemble becomes more rewarding and enjoyable.
Candidates will be asked to play a short unaccompanied piece of music which they have not seen before. They will be given half a minute to look through and, if they wish, try out all or any part of the test before they are asked to play it for assessment.