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Gold Award – frequently-asked questions

What paperwork and/or forms are involved with taking the Gold award?

  • Syllabus
    The content and structure of the examination is detailed here along with helpful guidelines for candidates on what the examiner will be looking for on the day. The current edition of the Gold Award syllabus is valid from 1 August 2006 – 31 July 2010.
  • Application form
    To apply for the exam complete this form and send it in with your testimonials, examination fee and all your written submissions. The deadline for applications is 1 May for the June session and 1 October for November session.
  • download the application form
  • Submissions form
    Sign and date this form to declare that your submissions are your own work. Enclose it with your application form. Make sure you read the information below about submissions before you complete the form.
  • download the submissions form
  • Music list
    Fill in this form to indicate which pieces you will be singing in the exam. Enclose it with your application form.
  • download the music list form

What submissions do I have to write for the Gold award?

  • Programme notes on all or any of the pieces you will perform in Section A of the exam (maximum 800 words). You can either write a detailed note on one of your pieces, or write more concise notes on any number of pieces from Section A.
    Make sure you read page 8 of the Gold Award syllabus carefully for more information on how to write your programme notes, and what the examiner will be looking for.
  • A short evening service for one of these occasions: Epiphany, Maundy Thursday, Ascension Day, or Christ the King. Included in the service should be the following five (liturgically suitable) items: one passage of scripture, a simple prayer written by the candidate, and three varied musical items.
    Make sure you read page 9 of the Gold Award syllabus carefully for more information on how to prepare your service, and what the examiner will be looking for.

What do I do with my submissions when they are ready?

You will need three copies of all your submissions, and three completed copies of the submissions form.

  • Send TWO copies of your submissions and the signed submissions form, with your entry, to:
    Gold Award, RSCM, 19 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EB
  • Take ONE copy of your submissions and the signed submissions form to your examination. You will need this for your own reference during the viva voce.

What else do I need to take to the exam?

Why not download and print off the helpful Gold Award checklist? This shows exactly what you need to send in to the RSCM prior to your exam and what you need to take to the examination itself. If you cannot download this form and would like a hard copy, please send an email to: goldaward@rscm.com

When can I apply for the Gold award examination?

You can apply immediately. See the syllabus and entry form for conditions of entry.

Each year there will be a 'summer' and an'autumn' session of Gold award examinations, with entry deadline dates of 1 May and 1 October.

Is the new award limited to youngsters?

No, unlike the previous awards, the Gold award is open to singers of all ages.

The RSCM Gold award has been designed in keeping with the principles of the Voice for Life scheme, that all singers should aspire to the very best standards possible, as their voices continue to develop throughout life. Voice for Life allows adults, as well as junior singers, to progress from elementary stages through to the more advanced level to be tested by the new RSCM Gold award.

Are there any training opportunities?

Training evenings are offered from time to time: look in the latest edition of The Network. On RSCM residential courses, there are usually opportunities for questions, and maybe a workshop session, to help you prepare.

What happens if I have not yet attended an RSCM approved training course?

Sometimes Gold candidates are worried that they have not yet attended an RSCM approved residential course. The Gold Award syllabus requirement, clearly stated at Pre-requisite 4., is that candidates:
"Should normally have attended an RSCM approved residential course and achieved a good report… a copy of which will be enclosed with the application. Candidates who have not attended a residential course are invited to submit alternative testimonials with their application."

The first reference – written by the choir trainer and counter-signed by your incumbent, minister or chaplain – is mandatory. It will give a glowing report of the candidate's work and demeanour in their local church (or school) choir setting.

The objective of a second testimonial, when needed, is to demonstrate that candidates have gained successful experience, in ways comparable to an RSCM residential course, beyond the limits of their normal choir routine. It might be supplied, for example, by an instrumental teacher or tutor, commenting upon participation in an orchestral course. Or, your choir may have made a successful Cathedral visit, enlarging its repertoire, and a referee with a pastoral role might say something about their leadership/sense of responsibility in the 'away' environment. Or, has the candidate been involved in some recital or concert work, in your or a neighbouring church or with a Choral Society or other music group?

The important thing is for the second reference to show some extra-parochial event involving the candidate's interest/commitment/responsibility, which indicates that their performance horizons have been 'lifted' before and while preparing for this prestigious award. In a case where no residential course has been attended and there is no satisfactory second reference, the Award entry (and cheque) are returned with an explanation that further preparation for the Award is considered essential before the entry can be accepted.

Is the Gold award easier than the St Nicolas and St Cecilia Awards?

No. The new award is intended to be not 'easier than' but 'different from, at the same standard as, and more engaging for the candidate than' the old Awards.

The Gold award now carries a smaller portfolio of prepared repertoire in Section A (Using the voice well) than the old exam, but this is balanced by the newly-established need for written submissions in Sections C (Repertoire) and E (Choir in context).

The examiner, as well as setting a sight-reading test, also chooses 3 of the candidate's 5 prepared pieces in Section B (Musical skills and understanding) and asks a range of clearly-stated technical tests in the exam.

The standard of singing excellence required throughout this new exam, remains unchanged: the assessment criteria being used by Gold award examiners are printed at the end of the syllabus.

Can I still take the St Nicolas Award or St Cecilia Award?

The final date for St Nicolas & St Cecilia Award entries has now passed, and no more entries for these awards will be accepted. You should think about applying for the Gold award instead.

If you have other questions about the Gold award please send an email to: goldaward@rscm.com
We will add new questions and answers to this page as necessary.

For more information about the Awards scheme, an awards leaflet, or for a list of training events in your area please contact the Administrator, Education Programmes
T 01722 424843, F 01722 424849, E education(at)rscm.com