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: Roy Robinson MA,Dip Perf RCM,ARCM (P),ARCM (T),LRAM (T),LTCL (P)
Venue: Menuhin Room, Central Library, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, PO1 2DX
Dates: 18th/19th February
Closing date for entries: 16th November 2026
Online entries: pfpa.org.uk
or if wishing to submit a paper form, please email strings@pfpa.org.uk
Head of Section - Catherine Ward
ROY ROBINSON
Prize-winning viola player and pianist, Roy trained as a performer at the Royal College of Music where he won the Leslie Alexander prize, the highest award available on the viola. A dual first study viola pupil of Frederick Riddle and piano pupil of Angus Morrison, he holds a complete suite of performing and teaching diplomas on piano and viola, plus performing diploma on violin and an MA in music. He also has a background as an organist, conductor, and published composer, as well as vast experience as a choral trainer.
Roy has spent most of his career combining performing, teaching, examining and adjudicating. He has taught academic music to A Level, the piano, violin and viola to diploma level, and the violin to RAM Exhibitioners; he currently delivers termly piano diploma masterclasses in Brighton. He has organised and coached over 50 orchestral and singing courses and festivals for children, some under the umbrella of SATIPS, and has coached and conducted many adult choral societies concerts. He has arranged and composed countless pieces for choirs and instrumental combinations with several of his works published by Subject Publications. Following appointments in various independent schools, mostly as Director of Music, he has now returned to freelance life.
He has extensive experience as a performer, including playing viola and piano in orchestras and ensembles and as a solo recitalist, most recently playing 2 piano recitals. He has particularly enjoyed several long lasting piano duet partnerships, largely playing to music club audiences across the south. A former official accompanist to Cheltenham Bach Choir under Brian Kay, he performed on TV and broadcast on the radio; he was also frequent concert accompanist (and occasional conductor) to Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, as well as other choirs across the south.
As a busy ABRSM examiner, he has worked all over the world delivering grade, jazz and diploma exams, including some in German. He has also engaged in other work for ABRSM, including viola consultant, viola syllabus selector and presenter of teacher meetings.
As a longstanding adjudicator member of the British Federation of Music Festivals, Roy brings wide experience of performing and teaching to encourage, support and inspire progress and development. He not only enjoys adjudicating his specialist areas, but also the complete range of classes as a generalist: he is listed as GEN which means he is qualified to adjudicate all classes.
Away from music, he can often be found driving one of his classic cars, playing croquet, gardening or baking cakes!
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 12th February 2027.
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.
