The Grade 8 Classical Violin exam is for candidates who have now consolidated their playing to a high level. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 7 and have since developed heightened technique, use of expressive devices, rhythmic complexity, fluency, coordination and musical understanding. Candidates will demonstrate seamless musical form and structure. There will be an innate stylistic conviction and distinctive musicality with strong individuality. Communication will be commanding. There is an option to improvise to an advanced level, demonstrating effortless assurance and personality.

Design to provide an engaging, informative and rigorous focus on the skills and awareness required for the modern violinist. Strong focus on composers from a diverse range of backgrounds draw music from the Western Classical, Jazz and Pop traditions.

The pieces in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate. At Grade 8 they are longer, typically in the region of three to three and a half minutes in duration. The expectation and length of pieces are designed so candidates can demonstrate the required assessment criteria.

Featuring

1.     Allergro di Molto from Violin Sonata No.22 in A Major – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

2.     Spring from The Four Seasons, 1^st Movement – Antonio Vivaldi

3.     Deep River – Samuel Coleridge Taylor

4.     D’un Matin de Printemps – Lili Boulanger

5.     Romance No.1 – Clara Schumann

6.     Honeysuckle Rose – Fats Waller

7.     Virtuoso –Black Violin

8.     Rather Be – Clean Bandit

9.     Allemanda from Partita No.2 in D Minor, BWV 1004 – JS Bach

10. Allegro Vivace from Violin Sonata No.8 in G Major – Ludwig van Beethoven