392: Unpacking the New ABRSM 2025 Syllabus with Samantha Carrasco

The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast

To keep our music students engaged and interested, we must evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape. Our guest, Samantha Carrasco, unpacks how the new ABRSM 2025 syllabus has been developed to capture the attention of today’s students. Rather than sticking with traditional repertoire, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is now drawing from a wide range of genres, including pieces from movies, films, and even arrangements of pop songs. As an examiner, trainer, reviewer, and presenter for ABRSM, Samantha is passionate about introducing more diverse music styles into exam syllabuses. As Head of Keyboard at Peter Symonds College, Samantha knows firsthand that teenagers have less time nowadays to practice for hours on pieces they don’t relate to. Listen in as we discuss how the syllabus changes aim to inspire and challenge students, making classical music education more inclusive and relevant for today’s musical landscape.

• Samantha discusses her role and responsibilities at ABRSM.
• She also discusses her role as Head of Keyboard and involvement in various music programs.
• Overview of the ABRSM Piano Syllabus, including it's structure and updates.
• Different types of ABRSM exams and their requirements.
• Changes and goals of the 2025 Series, focusing on diversity and inclusion.
• Discussions around the inclusion of pop and contemporary music.
• Importance of giving students choice in their musical repertoire.
• How ABRSM examiners ensure fair evaluation of different music styles.
• Samantha performs excerpts from various pieces in the syllabus.
• Accessibility and availability of ABRSM music recordings on streaming platforms.
• Final thoughts from Samantha and where to find more information and resources.

Links Mentioned

• Samantha Carrasco Website
• Find out more about ABRSM here.

Today’s Guest

Pianist Samantha Carrasco explores a diverse and flexible repertoire as a recitalist, concerto soloist, chamber musician and accompanist. Alongside her performing career, Samantha continues to pursue her commitment to education. She is an examiner, trainer, reviewer and presenter for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, working nationally and internationally in classical music, diplomas and jazz. She presents teaching and examining seminars on behalf of ABRSM in China, the USA and the UK and presented a number of practise and pedagogical videos over the lockdown. Samantha is the Head of Keyboard at Peter Symonds College, Winchester, and helps to run the Hampshire Specialist Music Course. Samantha participates in BSO Live! education projects and has made various performance presentation podcasts and videos. She coaches chamber ensembles and adjudicates music competitions as well as hosting masterclasses for pianists, accompanists and ensemble groups.

Today’s Sponsor

ABRSM is The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and a global music education charity. At the heart of everything we do is our belief that music enriches lives. Building on our heritage, we offer face-to-face and digital exams, sheet music, recordings, apps and courses for students and teachers across the world. In partnership with four Royal Schools of Music, we carry on a long legacy of musical excellence. More than an awarding organisation, we support learners from the first note they play and empower teachers who help build musical skills and encourage progress around the world. As a charity, we use all of the surpluses we generate to make significant donations towards music education initiatives and to develop our support for learners and teachers around the world. We advocate for music and its many forms, playing our part to ensure the future of music education and its place in society. Together with our partners, our teachers and others around the world, we’ve been nurturing the future of music since 1889 — to help people start or continue their journey Find out more about ABRSM.

Thank you for tuning in!

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