Brass Syllabus

EXAMINATION MUSIC

Own choice of one piece chosen from any current examination syllabus – to be accompanied unless specifically written as an unaccompanied piece. This is an excellent opportunity for players about to take an examination.

Br1  Pre-grade 1 - Time limit 2 mins (A)
Br2  Grades 1-2 - Time limit 3 mins (A)
Br3  Grades 3-4 - Time limit 4 mins (B)
Br4  Grades 5-6 - Time limit 6 mins (B)
Br5 Grades 7-8 - Time limit 8 mins (B)
Br6 Post-grade 8 - Time limit 10 mins (C)

OWN CHOICE OF ONE PIECE or MOVEMENT 

Performers may be accompanied on the piano or another Brass instrument played by a teacher/ adult (pupil teacher duet).

Br7  Pre-grade 1 - Time limit 2 mins (A)
Br8  Grades 1-2 - Time limit 3 mins (A)
Br9  Grades 3-4 - Time limit 4 mins (B)
Br10  Grades 5-6 - Time limit 6 mins (B)
Br11  Grades 7-8 - Time limit 8 mins (B)
Br12 Post-grade 8 - Time limit 10 mins (C)

JAZZ, SWING & RAGTIME

Own choice of piece.

Br13  Pre-grade 1 - Time limit 2 mins (A)
Br14  Grades 1-2 - Time limit 3 mins (A)
Br15  Grades 3-4 - Time limit 4 mins (B)
Br16  Grades 5-6 - Time limit 6 mins (B)
Br17  Grades 7-8 - Time limit 8 mins (B)
Br18 Post-grade 8 - Time limit 10 mins (C)

UNACCOMPANIED SOLO

Own choice of one or two movements of a piece specifically written for solo instrument.

Br19  Pre-grade 1 - Time limit 2 mins (A)
Br20  Grades 1-2 - Time limit 3 mins (A)
Br21  Grades 3-4 - Time limit 4 mins (B)
Br22  Grades 5-6 - Time limit 6 mins (B)
Br23  Grades 7-8 - Time limit 8 mins (B)
BR24  Post-grade 8 - Time limit 10 mins (C)

SONATA

Own choice of part or all of a sonata.

Br25  Open - Time limit 15 mins (D)

CONCERTO / CONCERTINO

One or two movements, or a piece originally written for performance with orchestra.

Br26  Grades 6-7 - Time limit 8 mins (B)
Br27  Grade 8 - Time limit 10 mins (C)
Br28  Post-grade 8 - Time limit 12 mins (C)

RECITAL CLASS

Own choice of a group of two or more contrasting pieces. The programme can include a mixture of accompanied pieces (piano or another Brass instrument) and unaccompanied pieces. Please aim for a balanced programme of music of different styles.  Performers will be adjudicated on their programme choice and presentation, as well as their performance. This is an excellent opportunity to perform your pieces in preparation for an upcoming exam

Br29  Pre-grade 1 – Grade 1 - Time limit 8 mins (B)
Br30  Grades 2-3 - Time limit 10 mins (C)
Br31  Grades 4-5 - Time limit 15 mins (D)
Br32  Grades 6-7 - Time limit 20 mins (E)
Br33  Grades 8-8+ - Time limit 25 mins (E)

PUPIL TEACHER DUETS

Own choice of one piece.  Duets can be accompanied or unaccompanied.  Only the pupil will be adjudicated.

Br34  Pre-grade 1 - Time limit 2 mins (A)
Br35  Grades 1-2 - Time limit 3 mins (A)
Br36  Grades 3-4 - Time limit 4 mins (B)
Br37  Grades 5-6 - Time limit 6 mins (B)
Br38 Grades 7-8 - Time limit 8 mins (B)
Br39 Post-grade 8 - Time limit 10 mins (C)

DUETS, TRIOS AND QUARTETS

Own choice of one or two pieces.  Duets can be accompanied or unaccompanied. At least one performer must be a Brass  player. All performers will be adjudicated.

Br40  Pre-grade 1 - Time limit 2 mins (A)
Br41  Grades 1-2 - Time limit 3 mins (A)
Br42 Grades 3-4 - Time limit 4 mins (B)
Br43  Grades 5-6 - Time limit 6 mins (B)
Br44 Grades 7-8 - Time limit 8 mins (B)
Br45 Post-grade 8 - Time limit 10 mins (C)

ENSEMBLES OF 5 OR MORE PERFORMERS

Ensemble should include at least two brass performers.  Own choice of two or three pieces or movements. Please state exact time on the entry form.

Br46  Under 11 years (F)
Br47  11 -18 years (F)

PLEASE NOTE for ALL BAND CLASSES:

 You are asked to state on your entry form the number of players in your band and the name of your Musical Director. Please remember to do this as it helps with planning.

1. No programme alterations will be permitted after submission.
2. Bands entering the youth section must only include players in full-time education.
3. Own choice of pieces. MDs are respectfully advised to build a programme which shows off their players to their best advantage and which offers a variety of styles to the audience.
4. Mixed instrumentation is permitted.
5. Please remember to bring an extra copy of your scores for the adjudicator’s use.
6. If enough bands of the same category enter the festival, the class will be divided.
7. Each band is entitled to 1 helper (given free entry to the performance) per 20 performers. Stickers will be issued for the helpers on the morning of the band class day.

NB: Each Band is encouraged to include in its programme a soloist from within the Band,
accompanied by the Band.  An award will be made to the best soloist in each class.

Br48   Youth Bands -  Time limit 10-15 mins (G)
             All players to be in full-time education and aged 19 years and under on 1st January 2027.

Br49   Mixed Ages - Time limit 10-15 mins (G)
             Players of any age

Br50  Adults - Time limit 10-15 mins (G)
            All players to be aged 19 years and over

 

Adjudicator: Rachel Gregory FTCL, LTCL

Venue: Church of the Resurrection, 2 Brecon Ave, Portsmouth, PO6 2AP

Dates: 27th February 2027

Closing date for entries: 16th November 2026

Online entries: pfpa.org.uk

or if wishing to submit a paper form, please email brass@pfpa.org.uk

Heads of Section – Gemma Billington& Jen Flatman

Rachel studied recorder and viol with Carl Dolmetsch and harpsichord with Ruth Dyson. She is on the visiting panel of conductors of the Society of Recorder Players and performs regularly, as soloist and with The Classical Music Company and the Dolmetsch Concertante. As well as making recordings, she has broadcast on radio and television. In addition to teaching in schools, privately, at summer schools, both in the UK and Europe, weekend courses and one day workshops, she is increasingly in demand as an adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals. Rachel lives in Hampshire and has two adult sons.

Joint Heads of Section – Gemma Billington & Jen Flatman

Prizes

The Incorporated Society of Musicians’ Award
for the best communicated performance (ages 13 to 18 years)

The Woods Trophy
for the most promising performance (ages 12 & under)

The Maurice André Trophy
for the performer with the all-round best tone

The Denegri Cup
will be presented at the adjudicator’s discretion for the most inspiring teacher or performer

All performers are encouraged to give a short introduction to their piece(s).

The brass section will be run alongside woodwind for 2027, but will be adjudicated separately.