Extending musical skills

Pupils wishing to take performance grades 6 and beyond in their instrument must first pass their Grade 5 Music Theory exam: this is a two-hour online assessment testing them on their knowledge and understanding of western music notation and terminology. For more information, please see the ABRSM Music Theory pages here.

Each year at Sawston Village College, we run a course of extra-curricular classes which thoroughly prepares pupils for this exam, equipping them with musical skills extending beyond the syllabus requirements, and deepening their ability to interpret and appreciate the music that they experience. It also provides a solid basis for them to begin composing and notating their own music, which may prove especially useful to those planning on taking GCSE Music.

The 2025-26 Course

The 2025-26 course will be run by Mrs Roberts. It will run over two terms with 10 x 2-hour sessions in each term (total 20 x 2-hour sessions). Dates for the autumn term are as follows:

Since this is an exam course, all pupils who wish to take the course must register. There is also a charge for this course (£40/term – £80 in total) which can be found on WisePay. All pupils studying the Grade 5 Music Theory course should have passed their Grade 4 instrument exam.

To sign pupils up for this course, please complete the registration form below.

The Grade 5 Music Theory course syllabus includes:
  • Note values, rests and grouping of notes
  • Time signatures
  • Pitches and clefs
  • Transposition
  • Major and Minor Scales and key signatures
  • Chromatic scales
  • Intervals
  • Triads and inversions
  • Cadences
  • Ornaments
  • Italian, French and German terms and signs

For more information, please contact Head of Music, Mrs Johnson, at sjohnson@sawstonvc.org.