About / News

Three Counties School of Music not only offers first class music teaching, but it is also an independent examination and assessment board, which offers flexibility, whilst specialising  in a wide range of styles, genres & disciplines, which range from classical to modern in both performance and composition.

Three Counties School of Music  operates in association with the University of Gloucestershire and it was developed in 2010 for musicians by musicians.

Patrons to the Assessment Scheme:

Professor Ian Tracey – Sir Phillip Ledger – Dame Emma Kirkby – Jamie Owen
David Kirby-Ashmore – John Lenehan – Jane Parker-Smith – Dr Andrew Padmore  Christopher Barton – Professor David Hoult

Principal & Chief Examiner:

Dr. Ian Higginson

The school exists to  provide quality, accessible and affordable music education for people of all age groups, who wish to focus on a variety of styles of music performance or composition, with less formal but equally rigorous assessments than traditional examination boards. For further information, see the ‘How they work’ page.

We aim to encourage our students to:

  • Be passionate about music
  • To learn about different aspects & styles of performance and composition
  • To develop their general musicianship and musical knowledge
  • To take a pride in their musical interests, experiences & achievements

We aim to provide:

  • Stimulating yet fun – music teaching for a number of musical disciplines by a well-qualified teacher with many years teaching experience.
  • Stimulating yet fun music workshops / open rehearsals & concerts
  • A new and exciting independent music assessment scheme which was developed for musicians by musicians.

We believe our assessments are:

  • Affordable
  • Accessible
  • Great fun
  • Great for the CV
  • Great for self-discipline
  • Stimulating, satisfying and a real sense of achievement
  • No pre-requisites for Grades, Performance Certificates or DipTCSM level one Diploma

The assessments are intended to be an enjoyable way of measuring a candidate’s’ level of progress and musical ability, providing encouragement in their studies and a real sense of achievement.
We offer assessments in a variety of disciplines and at different levels:

  • Performance Certificates
    (These assessments are available to candidates / ensembles who wish only to perform. They are also available as remote assessments to those who don’t wish to attend in person, by submitting a DVD recording of the performance – Please see page entitled ‘How they Work’)
  • Grades 1- 8 (in most disciplines)
  • External Diplomas

Remote assessment options for assessments
It is possible for a candidate to opt to take Three Counties assessments via the ‘remote’ option route, should distance or other circumstances prove to be a problem.

Tailor-made Combination Assessments
It is also possible for a candidate to choose a combination of musical disciplines for their assessment for Grades, Performance Certificates and Diplomas.

Why not view the website and get in touch today if you would like to consider taking on of our assessments.
Please click here to contact the school for a syllabus or to discuss options.

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Equal Opportunities Policy plus Guidelines and Rules & Regulations
We have an Equal Opportunities Policy in place – please see the syllabus for these details, plus the Rules & regulations, guidelines and assessments criteria etc.