RSL AWARDING THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS CONTENTS Our Brand Our Qualifications Welcome to RSL, the world’s leading Contemporary Music and RSL 01 Arts awarding body. At RSL we have a commitment to motivate and support students and teachers alike by creating engaging, Philosophy & partners 01 contemporary qualifications. Over the years we have expanded our portfolio of qualifications starting in 1991 with Graded Music Exams. Our qualifications 02 We now offer Teaching and Performance Diplomas, Vocational Qualifications (2005), Performance Arts Awards (contemporary ROCKSCHOOL 04 dance) in 2010 and the worlds first graded Music Production syllabus in 2016. 2018 sees the launch of our new Guitar, Bass and drums Guitar 05 syllabus which is packed full of new exciting material. We structure our syllabi and qualifications to reflect the changing demands of Bass 07 the creative industries, with the aim of validating the efforts of the contemporary artist. We pride ourselves on delivering the most Drums 09 academically rigorous and industry relevant qualifications designed to support all aspiring musicians, performers, educators and teaching Piano & Keys 11 establishments, all over the world. Vocals 12 GRADED MUSIC EXAMS VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS PERFORMANCE ARTS AWARDS (Grades Premiere – 8) (Levels 1-4) (Entry Level - Level 4) Ukulele 15 Our Philosophy GUITAR // BASS // DRUMS // MUSIC PRACTITIONERS // MUSICAL THEATRE // Music Production 17 In our increasingly global world, RSL’s vision is to provide access VOCALS // PIANO & KEYS // CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS // JAZZ DANCE // for all students, to academically rigorous, relevant and rewarding UKULELE // MUSIC PRODUCTION // CREATIVE PRACTITIONERS STREET DANCE Popular Music Theory 19 qualifications which they can use to forward their academic studies POPULAR MUSIC THEORY or to provide benchmarks to demonstrate their level of proficiency For performers, producers, Performance Arts Awards are group Diplomas 21 to prospective employers. We want our material to be enjoyable to teach and play and provide students with the knowledge and skills Each grade will take you through all composers, actors, dancers and graded examinations in musical THE EXAM 23 they need to pursue their goals with confidence. RSL certificates the core skills needed to become entrepeneurs; RSL’s Vocational theatre and dance. candidates on every continent and our qualifications really do provide an accomplished, confident and Qualifications aim to educate and Take Your Exam 25 the benchmark for contemporary qualifications the world over. expressive musician. inspire your students with fully Ranging from absolute beginner regulated, practical music industry (Premiere) to advanced (Grade 8), VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 27 We hope you enjoy using our material and taking our qualifications. DIPLOMAS and performing arts courses. each exam is specifically designed (Levels 4 and 6) to measure, assess and reward PERFORMANCE ARTS AWARDS 31 John Simpson Developed in conjunction with a progress throughout the year whilst RSL INTERNATIONAL 35 CEO TEACHING // PERFORMANCE range of industry professionals, our encouraging innovation and creativity. vocational qualifications are tailored PUBLISHING PORTFOLIO 37 University-level qualifications in to the specialist requirements of the RSL is also a member and supporter of: both teaching and performance, creative industries. RESOURCES 38 Rockschool Diplomas are self- study based, enabling you to easily CONTACT 39 integrate each qualification into your current schedule. 1 2 RSL AWARDING THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS ROCKSCHOOL Rockschool is about bringing talented, enthusiastic musicians into the education It’s what musicians recommend to friends, teachers prefer world, so that young players can benefit for their students, educators select for their classrooms from their expertise and advice. and pupils love to learn. FOUNDER, NORTON YORK From a small office in West London To simultaneously fill the void and Bass, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, in 1991, Rockschool had a dream satisfy a demand that they knew Vocals, Piano, Ukulele and Music to change the landscape of formal was out there, founders Norton York Production. music education. As players, and Dr. Simon Pitt initially developed students and music lovers - we were a guitar, bass and drums syllabus Each syllabus is developed with the frustrated by the options we had for the contemporary musician. care, skill and expertise to ensure with the pathways provided. Rockschool began offering these that every addition is creative, exams in the summer of 1991, innovative and industry relevant. So, by working tirelessly to imagine, making it the world’s first graded create, and deliver material that exam syllabus for popular music. Our resources are created to provide people truly connected with, access to music education for all - Rockschool sought to become Rockschool has come a long way regardless of age, gender, race or the first viable alternative to the since those humble beginnings religion. Creating benchmarks, not traditional offerings available in in 1991. As of 2018, we now offer boundaries. Britain at the time. Graded Music Exams in: Drums, 3 4 RSL AWARDING THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS Wherever and however you are learning, our qualifications support progress from one level to the next and can ROCKSCHOOL QUALIFICATIONS help bring together the learning that happens both inside and outside the classroom, formally and informally. graded music exams supporting musical progress SUPPORT MUSICAL PROGRESS Performance Sight reading, Ear Tests Technical General pieces (60%) Interpretation (15%) exercises membership Rockschool graded music exams are an excellent way to & Improvisation (15%) (5%) / quick study piece gain a qualification through practical engagement with a (15%) level 1 and understanding solo and ensemble musical instrument and technology. (ks2/3) instrument musical concepts performing composition developing listening specific skills level 2 development and music The structure of the graded music The performance pieces can be In Music Production, the (GCSE/vq) theory exams, the philosophy behind them used as standalone tracks for practical, written and listening and the syllabus material means solo and ensemble performance tasks provide opportunities to level 3 level 3 level 3 they support other qualifications, at GCSE, A-Level and Vocational deliver benchmarked tasks for (a Level/vq) (a Level/vq) (a Level/vq) whether delivered in your Qualifications. individuals, small groups and organisation or elsewhere: Each piece in our syllabus whole classes which support the is available as an individual curriculum. The exams support The Performance pieces, download and this includes the students preparing for performing Technical Exercises, Ear Tests and backing track, full audio and a and composing using music Progression routes General Musicianship sections full score meaning that they technology and those gaining are all designed to create a well- fulfil the coursework submission experience of working behind rounded musician. requirements of all the major the mic. level 2 level 3 The improvisation sections at exam boards. The whole suite of graded ks4 vq learning ks5 vq learning grades 1-5 are an excellent way Each piece can be used as a music exams support countless to introduce composition to the differentiated resource for use in vocational qualification units level 1 individual and to small groups and whole class teaching given you linked to the business of ks2/3 whole class whole classes. can learn aurally, through notation, performing and working in the curriculum learning The overview page and general tab and the chord charts. creative music industry. level 2 level 3 musicianship sections support As each track has a specific grade, ks4 gcse ks5 a-level music conceptual understanding and these can be mapped against the The diagram opposite shows how provide a clear link to listening difficulty levels at Level 2 (GCSE) each aspect of the graded music and appraising skills. and 3 (A-Level). exam works to support holistic musical learning. Extra-curricular club or lesson 5 6 RSL AWARDING THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS RSL AWARDING THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS UCAS POINTS AVAILABLE aT THE BENEFITS Grades 6-8 PLAYER Profile ROCKSCHOOL Ability to Specialise For every guitar grade you can plot your stylistic specialism, helping you to develop an in-depth understanding of the type of playing you most easily identify with, whether this is pop, rock, metal, blues, electric GUITAR country, funk, jazz, Reggae, EDM, Rap, Hip-Hop and much more. The Guitar syllabus whilst maintaining the key technical skills that industry demands, we’ve been able to include the Exciting Repertoire most diverse selection of contemporary music ever seen in a syllabus making the Grades accessible to everyone, Hand-picked tunes from some of the world’s biggest artists across without precluding any musical tastes. Allowing students to connect with the music they love, as well as discovering a diverse range of genres, the Rockschool Guitar repertoire provide completely new genres, through repertoire arranged and benchmarked for the correct level of skill and technique. students with an expansive song choice to use in their exams and practice sessions. UCAS Points Rockschool Electric Guitar Grades carry huge rewards. For Grades 6, 7 and 8, you can enhance your university application, with up to 30 UCAS points awarded at Grade 8. Mike 12 Exciting Choices 6 arrangements of iconic rock, pop, and contemporary