Choosing Exam Pieces, Songs & Diploma Programmes

Need help choosing what to play? This guide breaks down Trinity’s options in one place – how to pick pieces for Classical & Jazz and Rock & Pop grades, add own-choice or original works where allowed, shape a three- or four-song Digital exam, and build a balanced, time-correct recital for ATCL, LTCL or FTCL diplomas. Follow the checklists below to create a programme that meets every rule and still feels uniquely yours.

Classical & Jazz Grades (Initial – 8) – building your programme

Face-to-face & Digital – Technical Pathway: 3 pieces (4 for Singing Grades 6–8).

Digital – Repertoire Pathway:  4 pieces (5 for Singing Grades 6–8). The “extra” piece may come from any list or group.

List, Group and Balance rules

• Some syllabuses use a single list (Piano up to Grade 5, Acoustic Guitar, etc.); others split into Group A / B.
  
• Grades 6-8 Piano, Strings, Guitar: choose at least one piece from each group.
  
• Singing: no more than two songs from any one group (Grades Initial–5), and at least one from Group A (Grades 6–8), including in the Digital Repertoire Pathway.
  
• Woodwind / Jazz Woodwind: two accompanied Group A pieces + one unaccompanied Group B piece.
  
• Brass: choose any three listed pieces (no A/B grouping).
• Drum Kit: two backing-track pieces (Group A) + one unaccompanied study (Group B).

Please note: while Trinity often suggests a publication in the repertoire list, in most cases any reliable edition of the music may be used — as long as it has not been shortened or simplified. If a specific publication is required, this will be clearly stated in the exam repertoire list. 

For Jazz exams, candidates should perform from the edition listed in the repertoire list.

For more details, see our syllabus article: Music Performance Exam Syllabuses – Your Guide to Requirements & Repertoire

Own composition

• Most grades let you replace one listed piece with an own-composition work of equal standard.
  
• Instrument-specific limits apply: e.g., Woodwind own-choice must match the group it replaces; Singing originals follow language and composer limits.

Special options

• Duet: one allowed for Piano & Bowed-strings Initial-Grade 3; up to two for Classical Guitar up to and including Grade 5.
  
• Unaccompanied: usually limited to one piece (Strings, Grade lists) unless your syllabus specifies otherwise.

Performance practice

• Play short repeats; skip long exposition repeats unless told otherwise.
  Observe da capo / dal segno, tempo, dynamics and stylistic ornaments (encouraged from G6 up).
  
• Performance from memory is optional—no extra marks are awarded.

Tip: Start by downloading the latest syllabus for your instrument; its list or group tables, own-choice parameters and approval link keep your programme fully compliant.

Rock & Pop Grades – song-selection rules

Selection	What you play	Must use Trinity backing track?
Song 1	Any song from the current Trinity syllabus list and songbook	Yes
Song 2	As above or own-choice*	Yes, if using a Trinity song, Candidate’s choice where own-choice is selected
Song 3	One Trinity songbook title marked [TF] (technical-focus)	Yes

* Own-choice songs must match the grade’s standard (see the syllabus parameters).

Own-choice checklist

• Source: sheet-music, song chart, original song, or cover you’ve arranged.

• Some songs from our older syllabus can be used as own-choice options. They are listed here.

• May be unaccompanied, performed to a non-solo backing track, or with live accompaniment.

• Bring a printed copy for the examiner (lead sheet, chord chart, full score or score+TAB).

Technical-focus song

• Choose one [TF] track; higher marks are available for demonstrating its two named techniques, which are assessed as part of the technical control component.

• If two or more TF songs are in the set, indicate which one is to be assessed with the additional criteria.

Performance Diplomas – recital planning

(Time covers music plus brief movement breaks.)

Written programme

Approval & repeats

• If your full recital is drawn from our list, no approval is needed.

• Any programmes containing own-choice items must be submitted in full for sign-off at approval.trinitycollege.co.uk.

• Play all da capo/dal segno instructions

• Skip long exposition repeats or repeats of more than 2 bars (except justified Baroque suite repeats).

• Shorten long intros/outros or concerto tuttis where required.

Quick planning checklist

• Download your latest syllabus and songbook list.

• Draft set list / recital within timing limits.

• Remove non-permitted repeats and note piece timings.

• Prepare written programme (and notes if FTCL).

• Submit any own-choice set via the approval portal, then book your exam after approval.

See also:

Exam Formats (Face-to-Face / Digital)

Music Grade Exam Requirements

Music Diploma Exam Requirements