Update: an earlier version of this article erroneously reported that DJing would become a formal GCSE qualification. This has been updated.
London College of Music Examiners have published a new syllabus in DJing created in partnership with FutureDJs, with graded exams and certifications.
The syllabus, outlined at LCME, provides a national standard for grading DJing – equivalent to the marking scheme for classical and jazz instruments. Three tiers of the qualification are on offer: ‘Debut’, ‘Breakthrough’, and ‘Artist’.
Grading will be assessed on techniques such as scratching, beat juggling, looping, and beat matching, as well as track curation and personal style. There will also be aural tests, distinguishing specific electronic music sounds, and recognising the differences between different styles and genres.
The FutureDJs initiative was launched in 2016 by brothers Austen and Scott Smart. Pioneer are providing a pair of CDJs for each school that signs up for FutureDJs’ teaching.