ABA Syllabus 2026

* Are suitable for small / limited ensembles
+ Winner of the Howard Cable Prize for composition

Grade 1AComposer/Arranger
Base-SixLaura Estes
AndalucíaVictor López
GuardiansAdrian B. Sims
ExpeditionRyan Meeboer
African Folk TrilogyAnne McGinty
Farewell at DawnBruce W. Tippette
A Starlit NightJames Swearingen
Three Faces of Kiliminjaro Robert W. Smith
*All Ye Young Sailors Pierre La Plante
*Chorale and CanonAnne McGinty
*Court Festival Bruce Pearson

Grade 1Composer/Arranger
Dark StarChristina Huss
In the Cool of the EveningMatt Neufeld
Prelude and CelebrationJonathan Dagenais
After The RainMatt Neufeld
Irish Tune from County DerryPaul Cook
March from First Suite for Military BandHolst Arr. Story
In Times of TurbulenceRobert W. Smith
Lincolnshire Posy Grainger, Arr. Ryan
The Forge Christina Huss
Dance Slav Jack Wilds
Whirlwind Jodie Blackshaw
Spirit of the Stallion Brian Balmages
At The Water’s EdgeRob Romeyn

Grade 2Composer/Arranger
Journey (Paddle Song)Robert Buckley
The CodeAlan Lee Silva
The Bonsai TreeJulie Giroux
Blessing WindYukiko Nishimura
Rippling WatercolorsBrian Balmages
Evergreen Escapades Adrian Sims
DominionRandall Standridge
The GridAdrian Sims
Ancient Flower Yukkio Nishimura
Southampton MarchRobert Sheldon
Byzantine DancesCarol Britten Chambers
Lisbon Arr. Michael Sweeney
Eagle SongRobert Buckley
Avinu Malkeinu Vince Gassi
Ancient Voices Michael Sweeney

Grade 3Composer/Arranger
Three Folk MiniaturesAndre Juntras
CirclesBrian Balmages
+ Cape Breton SkiesGriffin Hook
Joy Revisited Frank Ticheli
Raven (The Trickster) Robert Buckley / Bob Baker
Sheltering SkyJohn Mackey
Three Ayres from GloucesterHugh M. Stuart
The Quest Patrick Glenn Harper
Halcyon Hearts Katahj Copley
*RocketshipKevin Day
The Haunted Carousel Erika Svanoe
Pop! Tawnie Olsen
Montreal Citadel K. Horner
Fanfare, Ode and FestivalMargolis
Donkey Riding Donald Coakley

Grade 4Composer/Arranger
Heart of FireLauren Bernofsky
Hung Aloft the NightAnthony O’Tole
HavenAdrian B. Sims
Perthshire MajestySamuel Hazo
An Irish Rhapsody Clare Grundman
Courtly Airs and DancesRon Nelson
Pedal to the MedalDavid R. Gillingham
CentenniumBrian Balmages
El Torico De La CuerdaLuis Serrano Alarcon
March-Bou-Shou Satoshi Yagiswa
All the Pretty Little HorsesAndrew Boysen Jr.
Loch Lomond Frank Ticheli
The Witch and the Saint Steven Reineke
A Mother of a Revolution!Omar Thomas
Bayou Breakdown Brant Karrick
Elegy for Albinoni Shelley Hanson
Molly’s Sweet George Rowe
Persian Dance No. 2Amir Mokookpour

Grade 5 / 6
Own selections comprising 20 minutes of music (exclusive of time between selections), please provide three scores for the adjudicators.