RSL Awards has partnered with the Gospel Music Industry Alliance (GMIA) to introduce the UK’s first graded gospel music exams.
Under the banner of RSL’s Rockschool qualifications, the Ofqual-regulated exams will be available to gospel singers and instrumentalists at Grade 6 and above.
The initiative was launched last week at the inaugural Gospel Excellence Honours Night, hosted by RSL Awards and the GMIA, at London’s Kings Place.
Roger Moore, co-chair of the GMIA, said: ‘This launch represents a thread which will break through educational barriers and unite Gospel practitioners all around the country, impacting the next generation inside schools, churches and many other musical hubs and organisations.’
Moore’s co-chair, Anu Omideyi, described the partnership as ‘an exciting advancement in gospel music’, adding: ‘Some of the aims of the Gospel Music Industry Alliance are to bring together, celebrate and educate gospel musicians alongside providing educational opportunities for anybody who wants to learn.
'So, we are delighted this partnership with RSL is recognising the great work of some – though by no means all – of gospel music’s illustrious practitioners.’
As with RSL’s existing Rockschool and Classical exams, gospel candidates will be able to select face-to-face, live-streamed or recorded assessments.
If passed, qualifications at Grades 6–8 will carry UCAS points, which may help support higher education applications.
