ABRSM will be one of the 900-plus exhibitors at this year’s Music China at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Visitors to the show can find ABRSM at Stand E2D43 on all four days: 13–16 October 2009. New products will be showcased, including several new Chinese-language publications, and there will also be exclusive special offers for members of the trade. This event closely follows ABRSM’s trial exam session in Shanghai, to be held in early October.

On show at the ABRSM stand (E2D43) will be new Chinese-language editions of leading ABRSM publications. The hugely successful Music Theory in Practice series has helped over one million young musicians learn about the theory of music, and Grades 1–5 are now available in Chinese. Volumes of Sample Past Papers from ABRSM’s Theory of Music exams (Grades 1–8) are now available. There are also two volumes of Specimen Aural Tests (Grades 1–5 and 6–8) to help teachers and candidates prepare for that element of a graded music exam.

In addition to these sold publications, These Music Exams – ABRSM’s free guide to exams for candidates, teachers and parents – is now also available in a Chinese-language edition. Written by ABRSM’s Chief Examiner, Clara Taylor, this book is a guide to the full range of ABRSM exams, with information on all elements of preparing for and taking music exams.

Ben Selby (Marketing Director) and Jo Wong (Malaysia & Singapore Sales and Marketing Agent) will be in attendance for all four days of Music China to meet with the trade and members of the public.

ABRSM announces that Guy Perricone has been appointed as Chief Executive of ABRSM as from 1 January 2010. Guy Perricone succeeds Richard Morris who will be retiring from this post on 31 December 2009 after 17 years’ service.

Guy Perricone is currently the Managing Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. The ICA is an internationally renowned showcase for the contemporary arts with a programme which includes exhibitions, cinema, music, talks and lectures, education and supporting creative businesses. He has held this post since 2005.

Of his new appointment, Guy Perricone said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to be joining ABRSM.  Thanks to the excellent work of Richard Morris and the ABRSM team, I know I am joining a unique and highly successful organisation.  I am greatly looking forward to working with my new colleagues around the world as we take ABRSM into the next stage of its evolution and growth.  Building on the success already achieved, I hope I can bring a range of skills to ABRSM from my background in business and arts management, as well as a firm and passionate belief in the importance of music and music education in our society.’

ABRSM’s Chairman, Lord Sutherland of Houndwood KT, commented: ‘I am delighted to welcome Guy Perricone to the ABRSM community. We are fortunate to have found someone with such wide and relevant background who is completely committed to the ethos and culture of the organisation. We look forward to exploring new horizons with him.’

In the two weeks prior to Music China, ABRSM will run a trial exam session in Shanghai in conjunction with the Shanghai Cultural Exchange Agency. The session will be held from 1–9 October at the Oriental International Cultural Service Centre of Shanghai Waigoaqiap Trade Zone.

Exams will be open to non-Chinese passport holders, Chinese passport holders living outside China and Chinese passport holders planning to study overseas.