Trinity College London: Rock & Pop Exam Booking Process Guide

Trinity Rock & Pop exams are designed for contemporary musicians playing Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, and Vocals. They focus on authentic performance skills, repertoire, and improvisation/playback, making them highly relevant for modern musicians.

Key Features of Trinity Rock & Pop Exams:

• Contemporary Syllabus: Features popular songs from various rock, pop, funk, soul, and R&B genres.

• "Real-World" Skills: Emphasizes performance with backing tracks, improvisation, playback, and stylistic awareness.

• Performance-Centric: All exams are assessed on performance, even the "session skills" are integrated into the overall musicality.

• UCAS Points: Grades 6, 7, and 8 carry UCAS points, valuable for higher education applications.

Instruments Covered: Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

Exam Formats:

1. Face-to-Face Exams: Traditional in-person exams at a Trinity venue with an examiner.

2. Digital Exams: Candidates record their performance and submit a video online.

3. Online Theory of Music (Grades 1-8): (Same as general Trinity Theory exams, remotely invigilated).

General Steps for Booking Trinity Rock & Pop Exams (UK Focus):

1. Access the Trinity Rock & Pop Booking Portal:
   
   

• Go to the Trinity College London website.

• Navigate specifically to the "Rock & Pop" section, or the "Book Exam" page and then select "Rock & Pop exams".

2. Choose Your Exam Format:
   
   

• Face-to-Face Exam:
  
  

• Availability: These run in specific exam sessions throughout the year (e.g., Spring, Summer, Winter periods). Booking windows apply.

• Selection: You'll choose your preferred Rock & Pop exam centre from available locations and select a suitable date within the exam period.

• Confirmation: A confirmed exam time and appointment slip are usually sent via email shortly after booking.

• Components: Requires three songs (two from the grade book/syllabus, one technical focus song) performed with a backing track, and a "Session Skills" test (choice of Improvising or Playback).

• Backing Tracks: Candidates perform with the provided backing tracks (from the syllabus book/downloads).

• Digital Exam:
  
  

• Flexibility: These are "on-demand" and can be booked at any time of year. After booking, you typically have a set period (e.g., 4 weeks, but always check current guidelines) to upload the video.

• Submission: Candidates record their performance as a single, continuous video and upload it to the Trinity portal.

• Components: For Rock & Pop Digital Exams, candidates perform three songs:

• Two songs from the syllabus for their instrument and grade.

• One "Technical Focus" song from the syllabus for their instrument and grade.

• Crucially for Digital R&P: The "Session Skills" (Improvising or Playback) are NOT separate tests. Instead, the candidate's demonstration of these skills is assessed within the overall performance of the three songs.

• Filming Requirements: Strict guidelines apply. The video must be a single, continuous take, show the candidate's face clearly for identification, and for Grades 6-8, valid photo ID must be displayed for at least 10 seconds at the start. Both the candidate's instrument/vocals and the backing track must be clearly audible.

• Online Theory of Music Exam (Grades 1-8):
  
  

• These are the same as for Classical & Jazz. Book online, take remotely within 28 days, typically invigilated.

3. Provide Candidate Information:
   
   

• Enter the full name of each candidate exactly as it should appear on the certificate.

• Provide the date of birth.

• Indicate any reasonable adjustments or access requirements needed for the exam.

• For candidates under 18, the booking must be made by a parent, guardian, or teacher, who takes responsibility for the entry.

4. Review and Pay:
   
   

• Carefully review all details of your booking for accuracy (instrument, grade, exam type, candidate names).

• Proceed to payment using the online payment system.

• You will receive an email confirmation once the booking and payment are successful. This email will often contain important links, especially for digital submissions.

Important Considerations for Teachers:

• Syllabus is Key: Always refer to the latest Trinity Rock & Pop syllabus for the specific instrument and grade. This document details:

• Approved song lists.

• Specific technical requirements for the "Technical Focus" song.

• Detailed information on "Session Skills" (Improvising or Playback) and how they are assessed.

• Guidelines for using amps, effects, and electronic instruments (e.g., electronic drum kits are accepted).

• Backing Tracks: Ensure students are very comfortable performing with the official Trinity Rock & Pop backing tracks, as this is a core part of the assessment. These are usually included with the grade books or available for download.

• Digital Exam Preparation:

• Practice filming: Encourage students to practice recording their full performance in one take to ensure timing and flow.

• Sound Quality: Emphasize getting a good balance between the instrument/vocals and the backing track.

• Visuals: Remind candidates to be well-lit and clearly visible.

• ID for Higher Grades: Don't forget the photo ID requirement for Grades 6-8 digital submissions.

• Own Choice Songs: While the main repertoire comes from the syllabus, Trinity's flexibility can sometimes extend to own-choice pieces, but always check the specific syllabus and guidelines for each grade/instrument to see if this is an option and what the requirements are for sheet music submission.

• Results & Certificates: Results are typically released via the online portal. Certificates are then issued, either digitally or physically, depending on the chosen option and Trinity's policies.

• Teacher Support: Trinity provides extensive support resources for teachers, including syllabuses, sample materials, and guidance on digital exams.