Strings Syllabus
COMPETITIVE YOUNG STRING CLASSES – 18 YEARS AND UNDER
Harpists may enter all classes unless specified for bowed strings
OWN CHOICE OF ONE PIECE or MOVEMENT for BOWED STRINGS
St1 Pre-grade – Grade 1 Time limit 2 mins (A)
St2 Grades 2-3 Time limit 4 mins (B)
St3 Grades 4-6 Time limit 7 mins (B)
St4 Grades 7-8 Time limit 10 mins (C)
St5 Post-grade 8 Time limit 12 mins (C)
OWN CHOICE OF ONE PIECE or MOVEMENT for HARPS
St6 Pre-Grade – Grade 2 Time limit 4 mins (B)
St7 Grades 3-5 Time limit 5 mins (B)
St8 Grades 6-8+ Time limit 10 mins (C)
JAZZ, SWING & RAGTIME
Own choice of piece.
St9 Grades 1-5 Time limit 4 mins (B)
St10 Grade 6+ Time limit 8 mins (B)
UNACCOMPANIED SOLO
Own choice of one or two movements from any work for an unaccompanied string instrument.
St11 Grades 1-5 Time limit 4 mins (B)
St12 Grade 6+ Time limit 8 mins (B)
SONATA
Own choice of part or all of a sonata.
St13 Open Time limit 15 mins (D)
CONCERTO / CONCERTINO
One or two movements, or a piece originally written for performance with orchestra.
St14 Grades 2-4 Time limit 6 mins (B)
St15 Grades 5-7 Time limit 8 mins (B)
St16 Grade 8 Time limit 10 mins (C)
St17 Post-Grade 8 Time limit 12 mins (C)
RECITAL CLASS
Own choice of a group of two or more contrasting pieces. Performers will be adjudicated on their programme choice and presentation, as well as their performance and are encouraged to play at least one piece from memory.
St18 Pre-grade – Grade1 Time limit 8 mins (B)
St19 Grades 2-3 Time limit 10 mins (C)
St20 Grades 4-5 Time limit 15 mins (D)
St21 Grades 6-7 Time limit 20 mins (E)
St22 Grades 8-8+ Time limit 25 mins (E)
DUETS
Own choice of one or two pieces. Duets can be accompanied or unaccompanied. At least one performer must be a string player. Both performers will be adjudicated.
St23 Grades 1-3 Time limit 4 mins (B)
St24 Grades 4-5 Time limit 5 mins (B)
St25 Grades 6-7 Time limit 8 mins (B)
St26 Grades 8-8+ Time limit 10 mins (C)
COMPETITIVE ADULT CLASSES
DUO CLASS
For string instrument and piano. Own choice of one piece or movement. Both players to be named on the entry form as both will be adjudicated.
St27 Open Time limit 10 mins (C)
SONATA
Own choice of part or all of a sonata.
St28 Open Time limit 25 mins (E)
SOLO CLASS
Own choice of pieces or movements.
St29 Open Time limit 12 mins (C)
RECITAL
Own choice of a group of two or more contrasting pieces. Performers will be adjudicated on their programme choice and presentation, as well as their performance and are encouraged to play at least one piece from memory.
St30 Open Time limit 25 mins (E)
ORCHESTRAL & ENSEMBLE CLASSES
Some ensemble classes may take place with the string classes, depending on numbers of entries and convenience of timetabling.
CLASS-TAUGHT ENSEMBLE
For performers who have been learning together as a class, all playing the same instrument or a mixture of instruments. Music may be a single melody line or in parts, any number of pieces within the time limit. A piano accompaniment or a backing track may be added if desired. Minimum number of players 5, no maximum. Please state number expected on entry form.
St31 Key Stage 1-2 Time limit 8 mins (F)
St32 Key Stage 3-4 Time limit 8 mins (F)
CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Own choice of one piece or movement. Any combination of instruments including a string instrument. At least three players, each playing a separate part. Please state the number of players (and names if known) on your entry form.
St33 Grade 1-5, up to 4 players Time limit 10 mins (C)
St34 Grade 1-5, 5 or more Time limit 10 mins (F)
St35 Grade 6-8+, up to 4 players Time limit 15 mins (D)
St36 Grade 6-8+, 5 or more Time limit 15 mins (F)
FAMILY AND FRIENDS ENSEMBLE
Own choice of one piece or movement. Any combination of instruments including a string instrument. At least three players, each playing a separate part. No age limit but should include at least one player who is 18 years or under. Please state the number of players (and names if known) on your entry form.
St37 Up to 4 players Time limit 15 mins (D)
St38 5 or more players Time limit 15 mins (F)
YOUTH ORCHESTRA
All players to be aged 18 years and under on 1st September 2024.
St39 Open Time limit 15 mins (G)
MIXED AGE ORCHESTRA
Players of all ages.
St40 Open Time limit 15 mins (G)
ADULT ORCHESTRA
All players to be aged 18 years and over on 1st September 2024 and no longer in full-time, non-advanced education.
St41 Open Time limit 15 mins (G)
Adjudicator: Kay Tucker AGSM,ARCM,LTCL,PGCA,PGCE
Venue: Menuhin Room, Central Library, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, PO1 2DX
Dates: 22nd February
Closing date for entries: 10th November 2025
Online entries: pfpa.org.uk
or if wishing to submit a paper form, please email strings@pfpa.org.uk
Kay Tucker
Kay Tucker was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire and began studies on the cello at the age of 12, continuing studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Her portfolio career has combined teaching and adjudicating with performing as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player.
Since 1998, Kay has been in popular demand as an Adjudicator throughout the UK, having worked at well over 200 festivals including the National Festival of Music for Youth.
‘Encouragement’ is a key word in all aspects of Kay’s work and she has great joy in working alongside musicians of all ages, particularly the very young.
Kay’s passion for teaching led her to develop an early years strings & general musicianship system known as ‘Stringbabies’. Since its inception in 2004, ‘Stringbabies’ has become well established and accepted as a leading approach in strings teaching (surprisingly to all ages!) and is being delivered throughout the UK and abroad in individual teaching practices, schools and music services.
In 2016, Musicbabies for Recorder was published, being the first adaptation of Stringbabies for a non-stringed instrument.
Kay works in partnership with Victoria College Examinations in delivering a bespoke Stringbabies Award for beginner string players and also with Charanga, who are publishing the violin and cello Stringbabies books on their e-learning platform.
In 2013 and 2014, Stringbabies was shortlisted for the Inaugural Rhinegold Music Teachers Awards for Excellence in music education. In 2014 Kay was also a finalist in the BBC Community Heroes Awards in Education in respect of her work in developing ‘Stringbabies’.
Over recent years, Kay worked as a consultant to Trinity Guildhall, selecting and co-selecting repertoire for graded exams and diplomas.
Kay was a Trustee and member of the Executive council of the European String Teacher’s Association (ESTA). In 2018 she was presented with the ESTA award for exceptional services, in recognition of her work in initiating the Post Graduate Certificate in string teaching accredited by Chichester University.
In 2009, Kay co-founded Horsham Performers Platform and for 10 years served as Chair, continuing as Co-Chair from 2019.
Kay became an Adjudicator Member of the British and International Federation of Festivals in 1997 and undertook the Post-graduate Certificate in Adjudication in 1999/2000.
PLEASE NOTE:
In classes St1-5 and St32-34 only, the title and composer of the piece to be played must be specified but may be changed up to 16th February 2025.
In addition for all orchestral classes:
- You are asked to state on your entry form the number of players in your orchestra, the name of your Musical Director and whether the instruments played are strings only or mixed.
- Orchestras entering the youth section must only include players aged 18 years and under on 1st September of the current academic year.
- If enough orchestras enter in the same category, the class will be divided.
Prizes
The Gordon Cawthorne Memorial Trophy
Presented to the performer aged 14 years and under who makes the greatest impression on the adjudicator.
The Portsmouth Chorus Challenge Cup
Presented for the best performance by a performer aged between 15 and 21 years in any class.
The Wendy Towell Cup
Presented to the most promising intermediate level cellist.
