Taking the ABRSM or Trinity Guildhall Stream

[akpl16]

Hey everyone!

So I'm considering beefing up my music credentials through taking a couple graduate level exams. I'm looking at what's out there and available to be taken, and the only two big, internationally recognized ones that keep coming up at ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall. Would taking one set be advantageous over the other, and would obtaining both sets of diplomas be better than only having one?

[ajspiano]

I doubt you would gain credibility by doing both..  not sufficiently at least anyway.. you'd be better of to pursue the upper end exams such as the fellowships.

You should also check out the prerequisites.

The AMEB has a music theory or musicianship, and a practical prerequisite for the diploma levels..

..such as that they will not allow you to sit the exam unless you have passed grade 8, and they will not officially award you a diploma unless you have passed grade 5 (or is it 6?) theory or musicianship.

[akpl16]

Right, by graduate level of course I mean the ones past their graded exams (e.g. ATCL, LTCL, LRSM, etc.)

I actually live in Canada, and so the system works a bit differently here. The final exam I can take would be a Licentiate, or LRCT, exam that is the highest standard outside of university education in North America. I would probably be starting from ATCL (I've already done extensive research on the Trinity stream) since no official prereq's are required.

That being said, I hope that explains my situation a bit. Would ABRSM or Trinity be considered a "better" qualification, per se, to have over the other then, or are they both equally credible?

[ajspiano]

I personally perceive them as equal..  but I'm an individual person who doesnt really think much of them in the first place, and I live on the opposite side of the world to you. Our system, the AMEB, is often described as being a bit tougher than the ABRSM, but perhaps only in the grade levels, not the diplomas..  The repertoire/requirements at the top levels is certainly comparable.

The AMEB, and I think the ABRSM offer a fellowship, (FRSM or Fmus) which is not that unlike the licentiate, except the program of repertoire has to be a bit longer, and the exam is sat as an actual live performance with a proper audience not just an examiner.

[symphonicdance]

I am neither a teacher nor a professional.  In this part of Asia, students more often take ABRSM for grade exams and Trinity for diploma exams.  Trinity diploma exam is considered less difficult (though it is still difficult).  There aren't sight-reading and Q&A sections in Trinity diploma exam, but there are in ABRSM.

If you believe are good, do LTCL (Trinity) -> FTCL (Trinity) -> FRSM (ABRSM).  This is the fastest and cheapest way to get 2 fellowships.  ABRSM considers Trinity's level is lower than theirs.  I have also taken a look at the syallbus of LRCT, and actually I would think LRCT is even more difficult to achieve!  BTW, some pieces can be re-used in FTCL, FRSM and LRCT (i.e. on all 3 syllabi), e.g. Bach Partita #6, Beethoven Waldstein, Appassionata & last 3 sonatas, Barber Sonata, Bartok Sonata, Liszt Sonata, Prokofiev Sonatas #6-8, Rachmaninoff Sonata #2, Chopin Sonatas #2 & 3, Ravel Gaspard de la nuit, Schubert last 3 sonatas & Wanderer Fantasie, Brahms Sonatas #2-3, Hindemith Sonata #3, Schumann Carnival, Symphonic Etudes & Kreislerian, Stravinsky Serenade in A, Faure Theme & Variations, etc.

If you wish to increase your credentials, why not taking provincial, national and international competitions?

[sam_1]

This has been debated extensively on the ABRSM.org forum over the years and is probably archived somewhere. Overall, but unofficially, the ABRSM seems to carry more prestige, although I think both exam boards have their merits. I have experience with both. The Trinity diplomas have an almost exclusive emphasis on the recital/performance aspect, while for the ABRSM exams you need to pass individual performance, sight reading and viva voce sections (which can make it hard to pass the exam as a whole).
The repertoire lists on the Trinity syllabus are more extensive and you can also submit your own program, while the ABRSM is quite a bit more rigid (although there is a degree of flexibility, which you will note if you read the syllabus carefully).
 

[cranston53]

At diploma level, there is simply no difference between the two. Comparable repetoire, timings and demands.

Plus, once your playing at this level, what on earth does a qualification really tell you?