Bishop's Award (silver) syllabus

The Fee for the Dean's Award is £15 including the presentation of the medal, green ribbon and certificate to successful candidates.

Examination time - approximately 35 minutes.

Section A · Using the voice well

Criteria for assessment

The performance of each item will be assessed on the following:

  1. Hymn singing · Maximum 15 marks (9 to pass)
    Candidates should prepare three verses (of their own voice part) from a hymn of their choice from a hymn of their choice having verses more than four lines long. The second verse should be sung unaccompanied.

  2. Psalm singing · Maximum 15 marks (9 to pass)
    Candidates should prepare eight verses of a psalm of their own choice and the Gloria, to music of their own choice. This may be to an Anglican chant, to a plainsong tone, or in a responsorial form. Candidates should sing their own voice part. The fifth and sixth verses should be sung unaccompanied.

  3. Prepared item · Maximum 20 marks (12 to pass)
    Candidates should select one item to perform from the list below. Candidates must sing their own voice part. Candidates need learn only a single part (where there is more than one in their voice). Marks awarded will take account of the level of difficulty of the music, but more weight will be given to interpretation and musicality.
    • Anon. attr. Redford, Rejoice in the Lord alway
    • Bainton, And I saw a new heaven
    • Byrd, Ave Verum
    • Mathias, Lift up your heads
    • Pitoni, Cantate Domino
    • Rutter, All things bright and beautiful
    • Stanford, Beati quorum via
    • Stanford, Ye choirs of new Jerusalem
    • arr. Weaver, By and by (in Songs for Life 1)
    • Any item from The Silver Collection (pub. RSCM)


Note: The Silver Collection (30 anthems), published by the RSCM (B0110) contains anthems, and sample hymns and psalms with notes on preparation and performance.

Throughout the above tests, the examiner will be looking for:

  • Good unforced quality of tone with consistent control.
  • Good breath control with the ability to sustain to the end of a phrase.
  • Clear diction including good open vowel sounds.
  • Accurate intonation.
  • Rhythmic accuracy.
  • Good expressive and dynamic contrasts.
  • Evidence of comprehension of the text and mood of the piece.


All of the above should produce a sensitive and musical performance, and evidence of a maturity of tone appropriate to the candidate's age and experience.

Information

Awards Scheme information

Guidance for candidates

Dean's Award (bronze) syllabus

Bishop's Award (silver) syllabus

Bishop's Certificate

Appeals procedure

see also
Voice for Life

Training resources

Music and Voice for Life training materials may be obtained from RSCM Music Direct RSCMmusic

Section B · Musical skills and understanding

  1. Sight-reading · Maximum 10 marks (6 to pass)
    Candidates will be asked:
    (30 seconds preparation time will be allowed before each test)

    • to sing at sight in their own voice part, with a simple helpful accompaniment, part of an anthem or song, choosing a suitable tempo and giving careful attention to dynamics, phrasing and articulation. (The piece may be in any key up to four sharps or flats, any simple or compound time signature, and may include ties and dotted notes). The key chord and starting note will be given. A second attempt will be allowed if needed. Candidates will be given 30 seconds to consider any areas for improvement before making the second attempt.

  2. Aural tests · Maximum 5 marks (3 to pass)
    Candidates will be expected to:
    • Clap the rhythm pattern of a two-bar phrase played twice.
    • Sing back a melody, which the examiner has played twice. The key chord and the tonic will be sounded before the excerpt begins.
    • Sing the middle or lowest note of a triad, which could be in root position, first or second inversion and identify the triad as major or minor. It will be played twice.
    • Sing the following intervals above a given key note: major or minor 3rd, perfect 4th or 5th, major or minor 6th. Two or three examples will be required

  3. Further questions · Maximum 5 marks (3 to pass)
    Using the prepared item as a starting point, questions will be asked to ascertain the candidate's knowledge of:
    • Notes of the treble and bass clef (including leger lines).
    • Time values of notes and rests including tied and dotted notes.
    • Time signatures (simple and compound time).
    • Key signatures (up to five sharps or flats).
    • Commonly used Italian or other musical terms and musical symbols.

Section C · Repertoire

Maximum 10 marks (6 to pass)

Candidates will be asked questions, appropriate to their age or experience, on their prepared pieces. The topics for discussion will include:

  • Text and music (style, meaning, how the music reflects the text).
  • Context (composer, musical, liturgical where relevant). See relevant paragraphs in Voice for Life.


In addition to the typical Dean's standard questions given above, questions at Bishop's standard might be:

  • "Give an example where the music of your piece varies to reflect the meaning of the text."
  • "In which musical period did this composer live?"
  • "Name a piece written around the same time, by a different composer, and say whether it is similar."

Section D · Belonging to the choir

There is no formal examination for this section and no marks are allocated. Nevertheless it remains a vital part of the Bishop's Award. On application, candidates must present a written testimonial from their choir trainer, signed by the Incumbent / Minister / Head Teacher / Director of Music, confirming their commitment to the choir.

Section E · Choir in context

Maximum 20 marks (12 to pass)

  1. Bible
    Candidates should be able to explain the origins in the Bible of the following liturgical texts: The Lord's Prayer, Sanctus, Gloria, Agnus Dei, Magnificat, and Nunc Dimittis. Two texts will be chosen by the examiner .
  2. Liturgy
    • Candidates will be asked to describe the structure, and main sung parts, of the form of Morning or Evening Prayer or Eucharist (or similar services) with which they are familiar.
    • Candidates should choose beforehand one hymn, anthem or worship song suitable for one season (e.g. Advent) or festival (e.g. Palm Sunday) celebrated in their church. Candidates will be asked to explain the significance of their choice in the context of the season or festival chosen. (Candidates should bring two copies of their chosen piece).
    • The examiner will select two further seasons or festivals, from the asterisked items below, and will ask straightforward questions on each, including their meaning and significance, and on the candidate's choices of suitable music, which may be sung on these occasions by choir or congregation.
      • * Advent
      •    Christmas
      • * Epiphany
      •    The Baptism of Christ
      •    The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)
      •    Ash Wednesday
      • * Lent
      •    Mothering Sunday
      • * Palm Sunday
      •    Maundy Thursday
      •    Good Friday
      • * Easter
      • * Ascension Day
      • * Pentecost
      •    Trinity Sunday
      •    Thanksgiving for Holy Communion (Corpus Christi)
      •    The Transfiguration of Our Lord
      •    Harvest
      •    All Saints' Day
      •    All Souls' Day
      •    Remembrance Sunday
      •    Christ the King
      •    Patronal Festival (if applicable to the candidate's own church)

  3. Ministry
    Candidates will be asked to explain, with reference to a chosen piece of music, how music enhances liturgy.

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