A new examination in Sikh Sacred Music has been launched by the Music Teachers’ Board (MTB).
The exam system sets the first internationally recognised standard in Sikh music education. It has been developed in close collaboration with the Gurmat Sangeet Academy in Birmingham, a not-for-profit school of Sikh music.
The syllabus will cover all qualifications from Pre-Grade to Grade 8, and, like other music exams, will also allow students of Grades 6 to 8 to gain UCAS points that will count towards their university entrance requirements.
The Pre-Grade and Grade 1 syllabuses became available on 20 September, with digital and physical copies of the music books available on the MTB website; those for the remaining grades will be released during the coming months.
Sikh sacred music practice – called kirtan – involves praising divinity through chant accompanied by regional instruments; dance and acting may also be included. Students preparing for the exams will learn dilraba (dilrabā), taus, israj (isrāj), tarsehnai (tārsèhnaī), or sarangi (sarañgī).
The MTB state that ‘this project is an important step as part of MTB’s mission to culturally diversify music education and examinations and celebrate all cultures’ musical traditions.’
