syllabus

MUSICAL THEATRE
 NATIONAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC, LONDON

GRADE & DIPLOMA EXAMINATIONS IN MUSICAL THEATRE

Grade 1

Exercises 10 marks
Sing any note within the octave C to C. Sustain for seven beats at piano and forte.

Scales 10 marks
Sing the major scales of C and A; one octave ascending and descending.

Songs 70 marks
Present two contrasting songs from the following list:

A Dream is a Wish Cinderella (Disney)

A Spoonful of Sugar Mary Poppins
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Cinderella
Doe a Deer (from Do Re Mi) The Sound of Music
Doll on a Music Box Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Edelweiss The Sound of Music
I’d do Anything Oliver
Little April Shower Bambi
Moon River Breakfast at Tiffanys
Never Smile at a Crocodile Peter Pan
Smile Modern Times
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Song of the South

Discussion with Examiner 10 marks

Grade 2

Exercises 10 marks
Sing any note within one octave C to C. Sustain for seven beats at piano and forte.

Scales 10 marks
Sing the major scales of C, D and A; one octave; ascending and descending.

Songs 70 marks
Present two contrasting songs from the following list:

Castle on a Cloud Les Miserables

Chim Chim Cheree Mary Poppins
Food Glorious Food Oliver
Hushabye Mountain Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
My Favourite Things The Sound of Music
O, What a Beautiful Morning Oklahoma
Part of Your World The Little Mermaid
Stay Awake Mary Poppins
The Bare Necessities The Jungle Book
The Second Star to the Right Peter Pan
Where is Love? Oliver
Who Will Buy? Oliver

Discussion with Examiner 10 marks

Grade 3

Exercises 10 marks
Sing the following exercise (starting note range C to E, a 3rd):

Scales 15 marks
Sing the major scales of C, D, A and E, ascending and descending; one octave.

Songs 60 marks
Present three contrasting songs from the following list:

Ain’t Misbehavin’ Ain’t Misbehavin’

As Long as He Needs Me Oliver
Bright Eyes Watership Down
Consider Yourself Oliver
Day by Day Godspell
Easy Terms Blood Brothers
Fabulous Places Dr Dolittle
Feed the Birds Mary Poppins
Get Me to the Church on Time My Fair Lady
Good Morning Starshine Hair
I Whistle a Happy Tune The King and I
In My Own Little Corner Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein)
Little People Les Misérables
Lovely, Lonely Man Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Money, Money Cabaret
My Name is Tallulah Bugsy Malone
‘Orrible Little Blue Eyes Barnstormers
Spread a Little Happiness Mr Cinders
Sunrise, Sunset Fiddler on the Roof
Supercalifrag … Mary Poppins
The Candy Man Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
The Colours of My Life Barnum
The Girl I Mean To Be The Secret Garden
Tomorrow Annie Get Your Gun
Wouldn’t it be Loverly My Fair Lady

Discussion with Examiner 15 marks

Grade 4

Exercises 10 marks
Sing the following exercise (starting note range C to E, a 3rd), using crescendo and
diminuendo as instructed by the Examiner:

Scales 15 marks
Sing the major scales of C, D and A, ascending and descending, one octave and
arpeggios of C, D and A, one octave.

Songs 60 marks
Present three contrasting songs from the following list:

Children of Eden Children of Eden

Climb Every Mountain The Sound of Music
Close Every Door Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep White Christmas
Getting to Know You The King and I
Hello Young Lovers The King and I
Hernando’s Hideaway The Pajama Game
Hey There The Pajama Game
I Feel Pretty West Side Story
It Must Be So Candide
Leaning on a Lamp Post Me & My Girl
Little Shop of Horrors Little Shop of Horrors
My Friend, the Doctor Dr Dolittle
One Hand, One Heart West Side Story
Pick a Pocket or Two (chorus section Oliver
may be played on the piano)
Posh Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Reflection Mulan
Take That Look Off Your Face Tell Me On A Sunday
Tell Me It’s Not True Blood Brothers
Tell Me On A Sunday Tell Me On A Sunday
The Boyfriend The Boyfriend
The Perfect Year Sunset Boulevard
What Kind of Fool am I? Stop the World, I Want to Get Off
Whistle Down the Wind Whistle Down the Wind

Discussion with Examiner 15 marks

Grade 5

Exercises 10 marks
Sing the following exercise (starting note C), using crescendo and diminuendo as
instructed by the Examiner:

Scales 15 marks
Sing the major scales of C, D, A, E and B and the harmonic minor scales of C and A
ascending and descending, one octave. Sing the chromatic scale to the 5th. Sing the
arpeggios of C, D and E majors.

Songs 60 marks
Present a programme of four contrasting songs from the following list:

A Cockeyed Optimist South Pacific

Any Dream Will Do Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
As If We Never Said Goodbye Sunset Boulevard
Cheer Up Charlie Charlie and the Chocolate (etc)
Children of the Wind Rags
Far From The Home I Love Fiddler on the Roof
Heaven Help My Heart Chess
Hopelessly Devoted To You Grease
I Don’t Know How To Love Him Jesus Christ Superstar
I Dreamed a Dream Les Misérables
I’m Not Saying A Word Blood Brothers
Little Girls Annie
Me & My Girl Me & My Girl
My Ship Lady in the Dark
On The Street Where You Live My Fair Lady
Once in a Lifetime Stop The World, I Want To Get Off
Over the Rainbow The Wizard of OZ
Roxie Chicago
Shall We Dance? The King and I
Sing To The World Rats
Someone Like You Jekyll and Hyde
Something Good The Sound of Music
Somewhere West Side Story
Somewhere That’s Green Little Shop of Horrors
Stranger to the Rain Children of Eden
Tell Him Anything The Slipper and the Rose
The Sound of Music The Sound of Music
There’s No Business Like Showbusiness Annie Get Your Gun
When I Look In Your Eyes Dr Dolittle

Discussion with Examiner 15 marks

Grade 6

Exercises 10 marks
Sing the following exercise (starting note C), using crescendo and diminuendo as
instructed by the Examiner.

Scales 15 marks
Sing the major scales of C, D, A, E and B, and the harmonic minor scales of C and A,
ascending and descending, one octave. Sing the chromatic scale to the 5th. Sing the
arpeggios of C, D, A and E majors.
Songs 60 marks
Present, with appropriate spoken introductions, a programme of four contrasting songs
from the following list:

Anthem Chess
Another Suitcase in Another Hall Evita
Buttercup HMS Pinafore
Crazy World Victor/Victoria
Easy Terms Blood Brothers
Flash, Bang, Wallop Half A Sixpence
Home Beauty and the Beast
I Cain’t Say No Oklahoma
I Have Dreamed The King and I
If I Loved You Carousel
If I Were A Rich Man Fiddler on the Roof
I’m Not That Girl Wicked
It’s Her or Me Miss Saigon
I’ve Never Been In Love Before Guys and Dolls
Just One Person Snoopy
Just You Wait My Fair Lady
Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee Grease
Many a New Day Oklahoma
Memory Cats
On My Own Les Misérables
Once You Lose your Heart Me My Girl
One Chorus Line
Razzle Dazzle Chicago
Send in the Clowns A Little Night Music
Some Enchanted Evening South Pacific
Storybook Starlight Express
Sun and Moon Miss Saigon
The Windmills of your Mind The Thomas Crown Affair
Tonight West Side Story
Wishing You were Somehow Here Again The Phantom of the Opera
With One Look Sunset Boulevard
You’ll Never Walk Alone Carousel

Discussion with Examiner 15 marks

Grade 7

Exercises 10 marks
Sing the following exercise (starting note C or D flat), adding any consonant to the
vowel sound used. Use crescendo and diminuendo as instructed by the Examiner.

Libretto Exercise 15 marks

The candidate will be expected to perform a short speech or monologue from a Music
Theatre libretto. The performance should not exceed two minutes.

Songs 60 marks
Present, with appropriate spoken introductions, a programme of four contrasting songs
from the following list:

All That Jazz Chicago

America West Side Story
Anything Goes Anything Goes
Bali Ha’i South Pacific
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered Pat Joey
Close Every Door Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Dames 42nd Street
Don’t Cry For Me Argentina Evita
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables Les Misérables
Good Morning Baltimore Hairspray
Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls
How Could I Ever Know? The Secret Garden
I Am What I Am La Cage Aux Folles
I Have A Love West Side Story
If They Could See Me Now Sweet Charity
In His Eyes Jekyll and Hyde
Kansas City Oklahoma
Kiss of the Spider Woman Kiss of the Spider Woman
Life Upon the Wicked Stage Showboat
Mr Cellophane Chicago
Nothing A Chorus Line
O Foolish Fay Iolanthe
Seasons of Love Rent
Something Wonderful The King and I
Stranger in Paradise Kismet
Sunset Boulevard Sunset Boulevard
The Impossible Dream Man of La Mancha
The Rhythm of Life Sweet Charity
There are Worse Things I Could Do Grease
There’s a Fine, Fine Line Avenue Q
Think of Me The Phantom of the Opera
To Life! Fiddler on the Roof
What’s the Use of Wonderin’? Carousel
Why, God, Why? Miss Saigon

Grade 8

Songs 100 marks

Present and introduce a professional performance of a well-balanced programme
of five songs from the following list:

A Puzzlement The King and I

All Through The Night Anything Goes
Being Alive Company
Bring Him Home Les Misérables
Bui-Doi Miss Saigon
Cabaret Cabaret
Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man Show Boat
Comedy Tonight A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the
Forum
Cool West Side Story
Day After That Kiss of the Spider Woman
Do You Hear The People Sing? Les Misérables
Everything’s Coming Up Roses Gypsy
Gethsemane Jesus Christ Superstar
Green Finch and Linnet Bird Sweeney Todd
Half a Sixpence Half a Sixpence
Hearts do not Break Mikado
I’ve Got a Little List Mikado
My Lord and Master The King and I
Hearts do not Break Mikado
I Could Have Danced All Night My Fair Lady
I’ll Cover You Rent
Love is a Plaintive Song Patience
Luck be a Lady Guys and Dolls
Major General The Pirates of Penzance
Maria West Side Story
Now That I’ve Seen Her Miss Saigon
On the Day when I was Wedded The Gondoliers
Our Great Mikado Mikado
Pirate King Pirates of Penzance
Popular Wicked
Soliloquy Carousel
Something’s Coming West Side Story
Sorry Her Lot HMS Pinafore
Spurn Not The Nobly Born Iolanthe
Summertime Porgy & Bess
Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes The Gondoliers
The Desert Song The Desert Song
The Music of the Night The Phantom of the Opera
The Nightmare Song Iolanthe
The Sun Whose Rays Mikado
The Wizard and I Wicked
Turn Back O Man Godspell
Why Can’t The English? My Fair Lady

Libretto Exercise 15 marks

The candidate will be expected to perform a short speech or monologue from a Music
Theatre libretto. The programme should not exceed three minutes.

Unprepared Study 15 marks

The candidate will receive an extract from a Music Theatre libretto containing a speech,
and possibly a song, twenty minutes before the examination. He/she will then be
expected to give a performance, based on this study. Copies may be used during the
examination.

Discussion with Examiner 20 marks

DIPLOMA EXAMINATIONS

DipNCM

This diploma is available in all practical subjects. Candidates must have passed Grade 8
or Senior Bronze Medal examinations in Solo Singing or Musical Theatre, and also Grade
5 or above in Theory of Music – or examinations of equivalent standard.

Copies of all relevant documentation, together with programme notes on the items to
be performed should be forwarded to the College for approval at least one month
before formal entry.

The examination consists of a Recital, Sight Reading and Viva Voce/Discussion with the
Examiner.

Recital 100 marks

Candidates are required to perform a programme of five items, showing contrast of
style and period. He length of the recital should be at least 10 minutes. A high
standard of performance is required.

At least two of the items should be selected from one of the following categories:

 English Operetta 1850-1900

 American Musical Theatre 1920-1980
 Film (animated or live action)

The remaining three own choice items may include:

 An original composition by the candidate

 An item performed in ensemble, eg vocal quartet
 An item chosen from the ‘Classical; repertoire, eg an aria from an opera by any
established ‘Classical’ composer

Credit will be given for the quality of choice of each item and the compilation and
presentation of the programme as a whole.

Sight Reading 20 marks

Music of Grade 6/7 standard.

Viva Voce 20 marks

All rudiments of music and questions on the forms, stylistic features, harmonic language
and composers of the pieces performed.

Discussion with Examiner 10 marks

Discussion on the candidate’s music-making activities, compositions and presentation
skills, etc.

Marks
Maximum marks are 150; the pass mark is 100.

Associate Diploma (ANCM)

This is available as Teacher or Performer. The Teacher diploma includes an additional

written section and has a pass mark, in the practical examination, of 100 out of a
possible 150. The written work pass mark is 75 out of a possible 100. The pass mark
for Performer is 115 out of a possible 150.

A The candidate will be expected to give a performance of six songs, one from
each of the following categories:

1. English Operetta 1850-1900

2. American Musical Theatre 1920-1990
3. British Musical Theatre 1960 to date
4. Irving Berlin Cabaret 1930 to 1989
5. Revue
6. Film (animated or live action) 120 marks

B Sight singing of a Music Theatre song and a sight reading of a libretto passage.
Ten minutes preparation time will be allowed for these tests. 15 marks

C Prior to the practical examination, candidates will submit to the Examiner a 2,000
word essay on the following: Evaluate the contribution made by Rodgers &
Hammerstein in the field of Musical Theatre. (100 marks)

Prior to the practical examination, Teacher candidates will additionally submit to

the Examiner a 2,000 word booklet, suitable for 9-11 year olds, on the musicals
of Andrew Lloyd Webber. (100 marks)

D Discussion with Examiner. 15 marks

Licentiate Diploma (LNCM)

Candidates must have previously passed the Associate or other examination of similar
standard.

A The candidate will be expected to present a ‘Portrait’ of a particular Music

Theatre composer (chosen by the candidate) through sung and spoken word.
70 marks
B Sight singing and sing reading as for NCM. 50 marks

C Prior to the practical examination the candidate must submit to the Examiner a
2,000 word essay on one of the following topics: (100 marks)
1. Assess the rôle of the Musical Director in modern amateur and
professional theatrical performances.

2. Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story has been described as a ‘tragic

masterpiece’. Discuss.
D Discussion with Examiner. 30 marks

Fellowship Diploma (FNCM)

Candidates must have previously passed the Licentiate or other examination of similar
standard.

A The candidate will present a 45-minute recital of Music Theatre. Before the
recital the candidate must hand to the Examiner detailed programme notes
which will have been specially prepared for the purposes of the examination.

B Prior to the practical examination the candidate will have submitted to the
College a 4,000 word thesis on any subject relating to Music Theatre.

MEDAL EXAMINATIONS

As there are no technical requirements for medal examinations the emphasis is on

excellence in performance. In order to achieve this, the candidate must preface each
chosen song with introductory dialogue, from the appropriate libretto, to establish the
character of the performer, to enhance the atmosphere of the ‘scene’, and to place the
song in its appropriate context.

Initial Bronze

Choose three songs from the Grade 1 list.

Junior Bronze

Choose three songs from the Grade 3 list.

Intermediate Bronze

Choose three songs from the Grade 4 list.

Intermediate Silver

Choose three songs from the Grade 5 list.

Intermediate Gold

Choose three songs from the Grade 6 list.

Senior Bronze

Choose four songs from the Grade 7 list.

Senior Silver

Choose four songs from the Grade 8 list.

Senior Gold

Choose four songs of Associate diploma standard.

Marks

Medal examinations have a maximum total mark of 100, with a pass mark of 80.

There are no merit passes awarded for Medal examinations.

 5 Lime Close, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 6SW
Telephone: 01243 788315 Email: principal@ncm-london.co.uk