GRADUATION

Each graduation piece represents a significant milestone in the development of a child’s musical and technical ability. By working to produce an excellent recording of the set piece, children develop the ability to listen critically to their own playing, develop concentration and discipline through repetition and re-recordings and take pride in the results on their final recording. They participate actively in deciding on how they feel their performance sounds and have concrete and tangible goals for their practice and review. 

We now run Graduation concerts in London, the North West, the North East, the South West, Northern Ireland and Scotland. These are subject to change based on demand and availability of venues etc. 

The committees of the BSMA would like everyone to participate in these events and benefit from the extra performance opportunities for our children. We hope that graduation will offer another opportunity to continue raising the public profile and perception of Suzuki education in this country. 

How does the Graduation system work? 

All teachers are invited to submit recordings (not video tapes) of their pupils a few months before the graduation concert date. The recordings are assessed by all level 5 teachers who have pupils taking part and who are interested in undertaking this work. Every pupil will receive a written assessment based on agreed guidelines.  

Pupils pay a registration fee to graduate: this covers the costs of auditing and producing the graduation certificates. Audiences at the concerts will pay for tickets.

What form does the graduation ceremony take? 

Pupils perform the Graduation piece specified for their level. At the concert, all pupils who play violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute and recorder - up to and including level 5 - perform their piece as a playtogether and the pieces in the levels below them. Pupils above level 6 perform as soloists in the same concert. All graduating pianists perform as soloists in separate concerts on the same day. All soloists select a solo piece of their own choice for graduation. Every pupil then receives a certificate with their written report.

Official Graduation Pieces

Please click the file below to see the BSMA's current list of graduation pieces for all instruments/levels.

Graduation Concerts 2024

Planning is still underway, but as of March 2024, the upcoming Graduation concerts are:

• London Strings & Woodwinds, St John's Smith Square, 13 October
• London Piano, Royal Academy of Music?, Date TBC
• Scotland, 03 November, The Dean
• Northern Ireland, 12 October, Venue TBC
• Midlands, 10 November, Birmingham
• North East, TBC

Please note these dates/locations are subject to change.

Fees

The cost of Graduation covers administration time, the fee paid to the teacher who listens to the recording, and the place for your child to play at a Graduation concert. The child is also given a printed certificate and report. This is paid by the child's home teacher, and is based on the level of Graduation: