Group Performance – Music: Level 1-3

The aim of these qualifications is to provide a flexible, progressive mastery approach to the knowledge, skills and understanding required for group performance. RSL’s Group Performance assessments focus upon the recognition of achievement through the development and demonstration of skills, knowledge and understanding within the context of learning and performing music within a group. The ultimate aim is the creation of group performers with the knowledge and skill set to be able to perform live in a professional capacity.

Certification Titles

Individual Certificates

• RSL Level 1 Certificate in Group Performance (Individual Certificate) (Music)
• RSL Level 2 Certificate in Group Performance (Individual Certificate) (Music)
• RSL Level 3 Certificate in Group Performance (Individual Certificate) (Music)

Group Certificate

• RSL Level 1 Certificate in Group Performance (Music)
• RSL Level 2 Certificate in Group Performance (Music)
• RSL Level 3 Certificate in Group Performance (Music)

Assessment

All assessments are carried out by external assessors. Assessment consists of a group performance, performed or recorded live. Group assessments can be taken as:

• Live assessments
• Recorded digital assessments

There are five bands of assessment (Distinction*, Distinction, Merit, Pass and Unclassified) for the qualification as a whole.

Individual Certificate: General & Performance Guidelines

Please download the syllabus specification for full guidelines, level descriptors and assessment/grading criteria.

Types of groups

These assessments are open to music groups in any performance genre. There are no restrictions on the type of group, although certain guidelines apply (see the Performance Guidelines sections below).

Group size

Individual Certificates

These assessments are available for groups of 2 to 12 performers. Groups can include performers who are not being assessed, but these performers will still count towards the group size, e.g., a group with 10 performers who are being assessed and 3 who are not being assessed will exceed the maximum group size and will need to be pre-approved by RSL. Performers must have adequate space to both perform and ensure that they are visible to the assessor (or camera) at all times.

Identifying learners

Learners must be clearly identifiable in order to be assessed. Candidates can be identified, where possible, by entering their instrument(s) on the application form. If they perform different parts across the performance, this must be clearly stated (i.e., Song 1 – Piano, Song 2 – Guitar & Backing Vocals). For groups that include multiple performers on the same instrument (e.g. a vocal group, a group with two guitarists, a group with three backing singers), each of those performers must wear their allocated candidate number on the front of their clothing throughout the performance.

Performance levels

Groups may include performers who have been entered at different levels (for example, a drummer can enter at Level 2 in a band where the other performers enter at Level 1) but candidates should be aware that if there is a significant difference in level within the group that may impact their ability to fully achieve all of the assessment criteria. Performers at a lower level than the majority of the group do not need to perform for the full performance length given for the higher level, they are only required to participate for the minimum performance length for their level. All performers must be entered at a specific level in advance of the performance.

Performance durations

Performance durations are given in the qualification specifications in the following chapters. Performances must not exceed the stated maximum performance duration for the level. Performances that do not meet the minimum duration will not automatically be penalised so long as the material allows sufficient opportunity for all learners to demonstrate the assessment criteria. Following the complete performance the assessor may request to see parts or all of the performance again.

Scores, notation, programmes

There is no need to provide details of the programme in advance or provide notation for any of the material performed.

Audiences

A live audience is encouraged, particularly for recorded digital assessments, but it is not compulsory and candidates will not be penalised if an audience is not present. The word ‘audience’ in the assessment criteria refers to whoever the performance is being presented to, i.e., to an assessor, the camera, or to a live audience.

Repertoire

There are no restrictions on the type of material or the number of pieces performed. Performances can include arrangements, own compositions and improvisations. The technical and musical demands, and the level of communication required by the material, should broadly comply with the level descriptors (see the syllabus guide chapter: Qualification Specifications), which give an indication of the appropriate level of demand. Candidates don’t need to demonstrate this level of demand throughout the entire performance but the set should be carefully planned to ensure that there is suitable opportunity for each performer who is being assessed to achieve each assessment criteria at the level they are entered at.

If there is doubt about the appropriateness of the material, you may seek prior approval of the repertoire from RSL.

Please e-mail us at info@rslawards.com with details of the proposed piece(s), instrument(s) and level. Please include sheet music: ideally notated scores, but if not, chord charts or lead sheets as a minimum. A full reply will be given no later than 4 weeks after payment of the approval fee (£10) which will be facilitated via an online link that we will e-mail to you.

Please bring a copy of the approval confirmation with you to show the assessor, or for a recorded digital assessment submission please upload a copy of the approval confirmation with your video.

Please note that approval will be provided solely on the basis of the submitted material, so it is important that this is representative of the whole performance. We will not be able to account for other content which may be easier or more difficult than the material submitted.

Where prior approval is not obtained, assessors will make a judgement about the suitability of the repertoire at the time of the assessment, and if in their judgement it does not meet the requirements for the level, this will be reflected in the marking.

Instrumentation

Candidates may perform on any instrument, including adapted instruments and live performance technology (for example, using MIDI controllers as an instrument) as long as the candidate can meet the assessment criteria as set out in the indicative content.

Performing from memory

Performers are permitted to perform any or all of their pieces from sheet music or from memory. Performing from music may impact on the level of achievement possible within the assessment if the communication of the music is affected.

Setting sound levels

Groups can conduct a sound check at the beginning of their set — this will set the levels for the assessment.

Doubled parts

Some doubling of parts is allowed but parts cannot be doubled through the entire set, for example, it would not be possible to have two drummers performing the same part throughout if one or both of them was being assessed.

Use of adaptive instruments and technology

Performers that require the use of adaptive instrument technology in order to complete the performance (e.g., MIDI controllers) will be assessed on the indicative content (see Qualification Specifications) that is applicable to the performance given, similarly to the application of the relevant indicative content to various styles or genres of music.

Group Certificate: General & Performance Guidelines

Please download the syllabus specification for full guidelines, level descriptors and assessment/grading criteria.

Types of groups

These assessments are open to music groups in any performance genre. There are no restrictions on the type of group, although certain guidelines apply (see the Performance Guidelines sections below).

Group size

These assessments are available for groups of any size. The number of candidates in each group must be provided when booking the assessment. Performers must have adequate space to both perform and ensure that they are visible to the assessor (or camera) at all times.

Performance levels

The group as a whole is assessed at the level entered for. Within the group, there can be performers of different abilities but groups should be aware that if there is a significant difference in level within the group this may affect the overall ability of the group to fully achieve all of the assessment criteria.

Performance durations

Performance durations are given in the qualification specifications in the following chapters. Performances must not exceed the stated maximum performance duration for the level. Performances that do not meet the minimum will not automatically be penalised so long as the material allows sufficient opportunity for the group to demonstrate the assessment criteria, however, each performer within the group must participate for a minimum of 50% of the minimum performance duration for the level. Following the complete performance the assessor may request to see parts or all of the performance again.

Scores, notation, programmes

There is no need to provide notation for any of the material performed or to provide details of the programme in advance.

Audiences

A live audience is encouraged, particularly for recorded digital assessments, but it is not compulsory and candidates will not be penalised if an audience is not present. The word ‘audience’ in the assessment criteria refers to whoever the performance is being presented to, i.e., to an assessor, the camera, or to a live audience.

Repertoire

There are no restrictions on the type of material or the number of pieces performed. Performances can include arrangements, own compositions and improvisations. The technical and musical demands, and the level of communication required by the material, should broadly comply with the level descriptors (see the syllabus guide chapter: Qualification Specifications), which give an indication of the appropriate level of demand. Groups don’t need to demonstrate this level of demand throughout the entire performance but the set should be carefully planned to ensure that there is suitable opportunity for the group to achieve all assessment criteria at the level they are entered at.

If there is doubt about the appropriateness of the material, you may seek prior approval of the repertoire from RSL.

Please e-mail us at info@rslawards.com with details of the proposed piece(s), instrument(s) and level.

Please include sheet music: ideally notated scores, but if not, chord charts or lead sheets as a minimum. A full reply will be given no later than 4 weeks after payment of the approval fee (£10) which will be facilitated via an online link that we will e-mail to you.

Please bring a copy of the approval confirmation with you to show the assessor, or for a recorded digital assessment submission please upload a copy of the approval confirmation with your video.

Please note that approval will be provided solely on the basis of the submitted material, so it is important that this is representative of the whole performance. We will not be able to account for other content which may be easier or more difficult than the material submitted.

Where prior approval is not obtained, assessors will make a judgement about the suitability of the repertoire at the time of the assessment, and if in their judgement it does not meet the requirements for the level, this will be reflected in the marking.

Instrumentation

Candidates may perform on any instrument, including adapted instruments and live performance technology (for example, using MIDI controllers as an instrument) as long as the candidate can meet the assessment criteria as set out in the indicative content.

Performing from memory

Performers are permitted to perform any or all of their pieces from sheet music or from memory. Performing from music may impact on the level of achievement possible within the assessment if the communication of the music is affected.

Setting sound levels

Groups can conduct a sound check at the beginning of their set — this will set the levels for the assessment.

Use of adaptive instruments and technology

Performers that require the use of adaptive instrument technology in order to complete the performance (e.g., MIDI controllers) will be assessed on the indicative content (see Qualification Specifications) that is applicable to the performance given, similarly to the application of the relevant indicative content to various styles or genres of music.

Please click the button below to access our help centre for full Group Performance assessment support. We’ve listed the top FAQs here too. Please do check the help centre before getting in touch with RSL Awards.