Exams don’t have to feel like a chore. Today, I’m chatting with Nathan Theodoulou from RSL about the exciting changes in the new Rockschool Piano syllabus. Whether your students love pop, jazz, film music, or creative expression, this new syllabus has something for them. We dive into the vision behind the redesign, how it encourages musicality and flexibility, and what it means for modern piano teachers looking to inspire a new generation of players.
Tim welcomed Nathan Theodoulou from RSL to introduce the new Rockschool Piano syllabus.
Nathan shared how the syllabus combines classical, pop, film, and jazz influences.
He explained how students are assessed on creativity, interpretation, and musicality.
The new syllabus offers a balance of structured progression and modern flexibility.
Nathan emphasized the importance of having music that students genuinely want to play.
He described how they redesigned technical exercises to be musically engaging.
The importance of global accessibility and flexible delivery modes was discussed.
Tim and Nathan explored how the new syllabus empowers teachers without overprescribing.
Nathan explained the rationale behind removing sight reading as a mandatory element.
He highlighted new options for creativity in exams, such as improvisation or original composition.
The syllabus aims to develop all-around musicianship—not just technical proficiency.
Music teachers were encouraged to explore the new books and find pieces that excite their students.
Links Mentioned
RSL Website
RSL Online Shop
Pre-Order the New Rockschool Piano Syllabus
Today’s Guest
Nathan is Director of Product and Marketing for the RSL Group. This includes the flagship Rockschool brand, which operates across 60 countries. He oversees the creation of all RSL publications and has created over 50 books to date for the company. He also develops commercial partnerships with the music industry and manufactures, such as Marshall, Yamaha and Abbey Road Studios.
Nathan has over 20 years of experience in the education sector. He was a consultant for global management firm Mott MacDonald. He has worked as a teacher trainer, trained PGCE students and Newly Qualified Teachers. Nathan also spent 10 years with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance and helped to create the award-winning youth theatre now known as Company 3. He also served on the Board of Trustees for the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA).
Nathan maintains a career as a composer and musical director, composing music for stage and screen, and performing at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Shakespeare Company, Barbican and Royal Festival Hall. He has received a diverse selection of commissions including two concertos for cellist Guy Johnston, works for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Academy of St Martin in the Fields, documentary soundtracks for Amazon and scores for theatre productions at the National Theatre. He loves all genres of music, regularly switching between classical, jazz, rock, latin and electronic music. Nathan is a multi-instrumentalist and had recorded on guitar, bass, piano, saxophones and flute.
Today’s Sponsor
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Ireland