Musical Theatre Exams (Solos & Duets)

Musical Theatre Examinations (Solos and Duets)

 

THE GUIDELINES FOR MUSICAL THEATRE EXAMINATIONS FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS SYLLABUS AND SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH IT

 

Examination fees are available here. Please note that you must have at least 20 candidates to be eligible for a face-to-face examination (this does not apply for Zoom and Video exams). 


Preliminary One – Suggested ages: 5-7

Announce and sing one Action Song or Nursery Rhyme, with simple actions (maximum time: 2 minutes)

Preliminary Two – Suggested ages: 6-8

  1. Announce and sing an Action Song or Nursery Rhyme, with simple actions (maximum time: 2 minutes)
  2. Discuss with the examiner what the song is about

Junior One   Suggested ages: 7-9

  1. Announce and sing a song from a musical theatre production, musical film, musical animated film or a musical TV series, with simple actions/choreographed movement(maximum time: 3 minutes)
  2. Discuss with the examiner what the song is about and the mood of the song

Junior Two – Suggested ages: 8-10

  1. Announce and sing a song from a musical theatre production, musical film, musical animated film or a musical TV series, with simple actions/choreographed movement(maximum time: 3 minutes)
  2. Discuss with the examiner what the song is about and the mood of the song
  3. Be able to describe the character who sings the song in the production

Junior Three – Suggested ages: 9-11

  1. Announce and, in character, sing a song from a musical theatre production, musical film, musical animated film or a musical TV series, with actions/choreographed movement, the song to be preceded by a short (maximum one-minute) piece of dialogue either from the production, or devised by the candidate(s) (maximum time: 4minutes)
  2. Discuss with the examiner what the song is about and the mood of the song
  3. Be able to discuss your character with the examiner

Junior Four – Suggested ages: 10-13

  1. Announce and, in character, sing a song from a musical theatre production, musical film, musical animated film or a musical TV series, with actions/choreographed movement, the song to be preceded by a short (maximum one-minute) piece of dialogue either from the production, or devised by the candidate(s) (maximum time: 4minutes)
  2. Announce and perform a short dance (of any style) of your choice OR announce and perform a short (maximum two minutes) dramatic selection of your choice with suitable characterisation and movement)
  3. Discuss with the examiner what the song is about and the mood of the song4Be able to discuss your character with the examiner

Intermediate One – Suggested ages: 12-14

  1. Announce and, in character, sing two contrasting songs of your choice from musical theatre productions, musical films, musical animated films or musical TV series(contrast may be in style, era, mood, tempo or genre) with appropriate movement(maximum time: 7 minutes)
  2. Announce and perform a short dance of your choice OR announce and perform a short (maximum two-minutes) spoken selection with suitable characterisation and movement (this selection may be either taken/adapted from the libretto of the work from which one of your songs was taken, or devised, based on the character portrayed by you in one of your songs)
  3. Bring to the examination brief notes on the show(s) from which the songs were taken, the type/category of the songs performed, the character(s) being portrayed, the context, subject and mood of the songs and be able to discuss these items with the examiner

Intermediate Two – Suggested ages: 13-15

  1. Announce and, in character, sing two songs of your choice from musical theatre productions and/or musical films, one written prior to 1970 and the other written in or prior in or after 1970, with appropriate movement (maximum time: 7 minutes)
  2. Announce and perform a short dance of your choice OR announce and perform a short (maximum two-minutes) spoken selection with suitable characterisation and movement (This selection may be either taken/adapted from the libretto of the work from which one of your songs was taken, or devised, based on the character portrayed by you in one of your songs)
  3. Bring to the examination brief notes on the show(s) from which the songs were taken, the type/category of the songs performed, the character(s) being portrayed, the context, subject and mood of the songs and discuss these items with the examiner

Intermediate Three – Suggested ages: 14-16

  1. Announce and, in character, sing two contrasting songs of your choice from musical theatre productions and/or musical films, with appropriate movement. Each song must be chosen from a different era/genre (see Guidelines) (maximum time: 7 minutes)
  2. Announce and perform a short dance of your choice OR announce and perform a short (maximum two-minutes) spoken selection with suitable characterisation and movement (This selection may be either taken/adapted from the libretto of the work from which one of your songs was taken, or devised, based on the character portrayed by you in one of your songs)
  3. Bring to the examination brief notes on the show(s) from which the songs were taken, the type/category of the songs performed, the character(s) being portrayed, the context, subject and mood of the songs and be able to discuss these items with the examiner
  4. Be able to follow simple stage directions

Intermediate Four – Suggested ages: 15-17

1.Announce and, in character, sing two contrasting songs of your choice from musical theatre productions and/or musical films, with appropriate movement.Please note the following:

Each song must be chosen from a different era/genre (see Guidelines).

One of the songs must be preceded by a short (maximum one-minute) piece of dialogue either from the production, or devised by the candidate(s), performed in character.

One of the songs must include a short dance break or incorporate an element of choreography.(maximum time:10minutes)

2. Bring to the examination brief notes on the show(s) from which the songs were taken, the type/category of the songs performed, the character(s) being portrayed, the context, subject and mood of the songs and discuss these items with the examiner3Be able to discuss how to create and sustain a character when performing4 Be able to follow simple stage directions


Senior One – Suggested ages: 16-18

1.Announce and, in character, sing two contrasting songs of your choice from musical theatre productions and/or musical films, with appropriate movement. Please note the following:

Each song must be chosen from a different era/genre (see Guidelines).

One of the songs must be preceded by a short (maximum one-minute) piece of dialogue either from the production, or devised by the candidate(s), performed in character. One of the songs must include a short dance break or incorporate an element of choreography.(maximum time:12minutes)

Bring to the examination brief notes on the show(s) from which the songs were taken, the type/category of the songs performed, the character(s) being portrayed, the context, subject and mood of the songs and discuss these items with the examiner.

2. Be able to explain the importance of effective breath control when performing, and describe and demonstrate an exercise designed for this purpose

Senior Two (Final) – Suggested ages: 16-19

1.Announce and, in character, sing two contrasting songs of your choice from musical theatre productions and/or musical films, with appropriate movement.Please note the following:

Each song must be chosen from a different era/genre (see Guidelines).

One of the songs must be preceded by a short (maximum one-minute) piece of dialogue either from the production, or devised by the candidate(s), performed in character.

One of the songs must include a short dance break or incorporate an element of choreography. (maximum time:12minutes)

2. Bring to the examination comprehensive notes on the show(s) from which the songs were taken, the composer(s) and librettist(s), the character(s) being portrayed, the context, subject and mood of the songs and spoken piece(s) and be able to discuss these items and your performance with the examiner

3. Taking one of the pieces performed in your programme, be able to discuss your ideas about staging, costume and make-up


Proficiency Examination in Musical Theatre (Solo only) – Suggested ages: 17-20

  1. Announce, introduce and perform a thematically linked musical theatre programme comprising three items from musical theatre productions and/or musical films. The programme must include singing, speaking/acting and choreographed movement/dance and contain some element of contrast (in mood, style, era or genre)(maximum time: 12minutes)
  2. Announce and perform a song from a musical theatre production or musical theatre film of your choice, the performance to incorporate simultaneous singing and dancing/choreographed movement
  3. Announce and perform a one-minute prepared improvisation based on one of the characters represented in your thematic performance
  4. Bring to the examination comprehensive notes on the show(s) from which the songs were taken, the composer(s) and librettist(s), the character(s) being portrayed, the context, subject and mood of the songs and be able to discuss these items and your performance with the examiner
  5. Discuss with the examiner the compilation of your programme, how you prepared the programme for performance, your vocal preparation, and the various techniques used in your performance