Woodwind 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.

Ww1 Pre-grade 1 Time limit 2 mins (A)
Ww2 Grades 1-2 Time limit 3 mins (A)
Ww3 Grades 3-4 Time limit 4 mins (B)
Ww4 Grades 5-6 Time limit 6 mins (B)
Ww5 Grades 7-8 Time limit 8 mins (B)
Ww6 Post-grade 8 Time limit 10 mins (C)

OWN CHOICE OF ONE PIECE or MOVEMENT 

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

Ww7 Pre-grade 1 Time limit 2 mins (A)
Ww8 Grades 1-2 Time limit 3 mins (A)
Ww9 Grades 3-4 Time limit 4 mins (B)
Ww10 Grades 5-6 Time limit 6 mins (B)
Ww11 Grades 7-8 Time limit 8 mins (B)
WW12 Post-grade 8 Time limit 10 mins (C)

JAZZ, SWING & RAGTIME

Own choice of one piece. Can be accompanied on the piano or use backing tracks

Ww13 Pre-grade 1 Time limit 2 mins (A)
Ww14 Grades 1-2 Time limit 3 mins (B)
Ww15 Grade 3-4 Time limit 4 mins (B)
Ww16 Grades 5-6 Time limit 8 mins (B)
Ww17 Grades 7-8 Time limit 8 mins (B)
Ww18 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.

Ww19 Pre-grade 1 Time limit 2 mins (A)
Ww20 Grades 1-2 Time limit 3 mins (A)
Ww21 Grades 3-4 Time limit 4 mins (B)
Ww22 Grades 5-6 Time limit 6 mins (B)
Ww23 Grades 7-8 Time limit 8 mins (B)
Ww24 Post-grade 8 Time limit 10 mins (C)

SONATA

Own choice of part or all of a sonata.

Ww25 Open Time limit 15 mins (D)

CONCERTO / CONCERTINO

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

Ww26 Grades 6-7 Time limit 8 mins (B)
Ww27 Grade 8 Time limit 10 mins (C)
Ww28 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 Woodwind 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.

Ww29 Pre-grade 1 – Grade 1 Time limit 8 mins (B)
Ww30 Grades 2-3 Time limit 10 mins (C)
Ww31 Grades 4-5 Time limit 15 mins (D)
Ww32 Grades 6-7 Time limit 20 mins (E)
Ww33 Grades 8-8+ Time limit 25 mins (E)

PUPIL-TEACHER/ADULT DUET

Own choice of one piece. Duets can be accompanied or unaccompanied Pupil only will be adjudicated.

Ww34 Pre-grade 1 Time limit 2 mins (A)
Ww35 Grades 1-2 Time limit 3 mins (A)
Ww36 Grades 3-4 Time limit 4 mins (B)
Ww37 Grades 5-6 Time limit 6 mins (B)
Ww38 Grades 7-8 Time limit 8 mins (B)
Ww39 Post grades 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 Woodwind or Recorder player. All performers will be adjudicated.

Ww40 Pre-grade 1 Time limit 2 mins (A)
Ww41 Grades 1-2 Time limit 3 mins (A)
Ww42 Grades 3-4 Time limit 4 mins (B)
Ww43 Grades 5-6 Time limit 6 mins (B)
Ww44 Grades 7-8 Time limit 8 mins (B)
Ww45 Post grades 8 Time limit 10 mins (C)

ENSEMBLES OF 5 OR MORE PERFORMERS

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

Ww46 Under 11 years (F)
Ww47 11 -18 years (F)

Adjudicator: Heidi Fardell BMus Hons, MMus in performance and related studies

Venue: Crookhorn College, Waterlooville. PO7 5UD

Dates: 28^thFebruary 2026

Closing date for entries: 10th November 2025

Online entries: pfpa.org.uk

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

Woodwind specialist, recorder player and ensemble coach Heidi Fardell is a professional performer and inclusive music educator with over 20 years experience (teaching at Trinity Laban conservatoire juniors and at schools across London/Oxfordshire). Heidi is the vice chair of the European Recorder Teachers Association UK, a National Youth Recorder Orchestra coach and performs on the recorder & baroque flute with various early and contemporary ensembles across the UK, (The City Musick, I Fagiolini, Armonico Consort, Fiori Musicali, Sounds Historical) and has performed and recorded for BBC Radio 3 and 4. Heidi gained her Bmus (Hons) and Mmus in performance at Goldsmiths University and PgCert at Birmingham Conservatoire, studying recorders and Baroque flute. Alongside her performance work, Heidi is also a respected musician in education. From 2006-2019 she held the post of recorder tutor at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance Junior department until she relocated to Oxfordshire. Heidi has developed bespoke, inclusive musical workshops for clients across the UK including Kensington Palace, the Royal Festival Hall, Ferens Gallery, Tate Britain and the National Gallery. For over 20 years, Heidi has taught in a wide variety of settings across London and Oxfordshire, teaching children and adults and coaches several recorder consorts and ensembles.

Prizes

The Sturge Trophy
Awarded for the best solo performance (14 years & under)

The Zurich Insurance Woodwind Cup
Awarded for the best performance (15-18 years)

The Karen Cup for musicianship and versatility
Awarded at the discretion of the adjudicator for a performer demonstrating the ability to communicate music in different genres

The Hunt Baroque Cup
Awarded to the best performance of a piece written between 1600 and 1750

The Beginners Cup
Awarded to the most promising beginner.

The Christopher Cup
Awarded to the best recorder performer Grades 1-4

The Norman Strugnell Memorial Cup
Awarded to the best recorder performer Grades 5-8+