MTB (which stands for the Music Teachers’ Board) now offers a fully accredited, OfQUAL recognised syllabus of grade exams for mandolin, from Grades 1 to 8 with 2 pre-grade tests. I was project manager on a team who put the syllabus together, working with prominent mandolin educators Frances Taylor and Barbara Pommerenke-Steel to come up with lists of repertoire and technical exercises at every level which are rooted in classical mandolin tradition, but also diverse and contemporary.
Having created the syllabus, we have been promoting and workshopping it to mandolin teachers and players to raise awareness. The final stage, which we are in now, is to encourage as many people as possible to engage with the syllabus, and to make sure that when pupils take the tests, their experience is as positive as it can be.
To help pupils become familiar with the range of music on offer, we have put together a dedicated YouTube channel, with playlists of performances of pieces at every level.
A performance of a piece which has been chosen for the Grade 2 syllabus
Finally – as part of the process of putting the syllabus together, I trained as an MTB examiner. So please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like help or advice on any aspect (musical or practical) of preparing for the tests. And of course I would also be happy to provide tuition 🙂