RSCM Singing Awards
RSCM Singing Awards celebrate singers’ achievements and progress through formal examinations. Designed to run in parallel to Voice for Life®, they affirm and accredit the work done by singers and choir trainers in their choirs.
Singing Awards are open to singers from RSCM Group Member organisations (and those holding RSCM Individual or Under 25 Membership) of all denominations. Adults and children of any age are encouraged to enter.
Singers will prepare and sing choral music, demonstrate their musicianship in tests of supporting skills, and share their understanding of wider Christian themes in the ‘Choir in Context’ section.
Why take a Singing Award?
- Preparing for a Singing Award gives you space to consolidate your learning and ensure you are developing the vocal skills, musicianship skills and contextual knowledge which will help you to grow as a well-rounded singer and musician.
- Passing a Singing Award gives you an opportunity to celebrate your achievements with your choir, wider community, and family and friends.
How to enter in the UK
Register an Awards Representative
A Group Member organisation (usually a church or school) looking to enter candidates will need to nominate an Awards Representative. The Awards Representative co-ordinates the entries, communicates with us on behalf of the candidates and receives timetables, results and certificates. Often, this is a choir trainer but it doesn’t have to be – it can be an administrator, a volunteer or any other adult with the organisation’s authority to work with us on their behalf.
Please click here to request registration as Awards Representative
Individual and Under 25 Members (if over 18) can act as their own Awards Representative but must still register using the form above. Under 25 Members who are under 18 must be represented by a parent or guardian.
Find an exam session and make an entry
An up-to-date list of available sessions and their booking deadlines can be found here.
Candidates may be entered for any session with space remaining, in-person or online. A session is selected when the entry is made.
An organisation training a large number of candidates for examination in the same session, totalling 3 or more hours of examining (Singing Certificate – 15 minutes; Bronze – 25 minutes; Silver – 40 minutes; Gold – 50 minutes) may be eligible to request a visit from an examiner. Contact examsdesk@rscm.com for more information.
Click here to make an entry.
The timetable will be sent to the Awards Representative shortly after the session booking deadline.
Fees
| Award | Entry |
|---|---|
| Singing Certificate | £20 |
| Bronze | £46 |
| Silver | £64 |
| Gold | £110 |
Deferrals £20 – see syllabus regulations.
Appeals £40 – see Appeals Process
Click here to make an entry.
International Exams
The RSCM Singing Awards exams in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are administered locally. Click on the relevant link to navigate to the appropriate international branch website.
FAQs
Q. How do the Singing Awards fit in with the Voice for Life workbooks?
A. White, Light Blue and Dark Blue help a candidate prepare for their Bronze award, Red for the Silver award, and Yellow for the Gold award.
Q. Are Singing Awards suitable for adult singers?
A. Absolutely! Singing Awards are designed to be suitable for singers of all ages and many adults take the exams each year. The syllabus requirements are the same for everyone.
Q. How have the exams changed since the 2021 syllabus?
A. The singing awards examinations retain the same overall structure as the 2021 syllabus. You can download a summary of the changes at the bottom of this page. Candidates and choir trainers are particularly advised to note the changes to Choir in Context.
Q. Do I need to be an RSCM Member to take a Singing Award?
A. Yes, you either need to be a member of an RSCM Group Member organisation or an Individual or Under 25 Member.
Q. Do I have to do the Awards in order?
A. No, you don't need to have done a particular Award to progress to the next, so you can take Silver without having done Bronze (and Gold without having done Bronze and/or Silver).
Q. What supporting study materials are available?
A. There are new study notes and specimen tests available for download, as well as copies of unaccompanied items at each level.
Q. Do I need an accompanist?
A. You will need to provide an accompanist for in-person exams. Online exams can be accompanied 'live' or use recorded accompaniment (further guidance is supplied).
Q. Can an examiner come to my church?
A. Churches or schools with three or more hours of examining in one session can request an examiner visit. Please contact us for more information.
Award Preparation Materials
Singing Certificate
Bronze
Silver
Own Choice Repertoire
As part of the 2027 syllabus revision, we now accept own choice repertoire.
Click here for the most up to date list of approved own choice repertoire. A list of repertoire that has previously not met approval standards is included for reference.
Click here to send in a repertoire request – your request must be approved before you complete the exam booking form
