Changes to Stave House qualifications

From 1 January 2027, LCME will no longer offer Stave House Music Awards or the Stave House Teaching Diploma.

If you have already entered for an exam, it will go ahead as planned. We would like to say a special thank you to Ruth Travers FLCM, who created the Stave House method and has been a valued partner for the past 25 years. Ruth is also a Fellow of the London College of Music.

What you can do next

You can continue your music and performance journey with LCME. Here are the closest options.

For children

Our Early Learning and Step exams are designed for young children who are starting to learn music. They give children a friendly first experience of an exam and a certificate to celebrate their progress.

Explore Early Learning and Steps

For teachers

Our Early Childhood Music Teaching Diplomas are for people who teach music to young children. There are three levels: DipLCM, ALCM and LLCM.

Explore the teaching diplomas

Questions?

We are happy to help you choose the right next step - Contact Us

About Stave House

Stave House Music Awards are qualifications for beginner instrumentalists, offered by Stave House in partnership with London College of Music Examinations. The method was created by Ruth Travers. It teaches young children to read music, and makes it possible for non-music specialists to teach notation to children, as parents at home or as teachers in class.

Stave House may be used individually or in groups and is adaptable for children aged three to ten years.

What children learn

✓Pitch, notation and rhythm

✓Sight reading, visual pitch and structure

✓Treble, bass and alto clefs

✓Musical memory, singing, performance skills and composition

✓Confidence, concentration, fine motor skills and working with others

How it is taught

✓Magnetic boards with moveable characters

✓A CD or music download with the songs and rhymes

✓A teachers' and parents' manual in nine easy steps

✓Three playbooks for children to play from and fill in

Syllabuses

PDF

Stave House Music Awards syllabus

For children aged three to ten. Exam content and requirements for each level.

Download the syllabus

PDF

Stave House Teaching Diploma syllabus

For teachers using the Stave House method. Available until 31 December 2026.

Download the syllabus

How to book

Stave House exams will no longer be available from 1 January 2027. For more information and to book, please use the details below:

To book: visit the Stave House website or contact Ruth Travers, LCME partner for Chelmsford, England.

Email rstchapelstudio@hotmail.com or call +44 (0) 1245 284 407.

What’s in the exam

Levels

Download Syllabus

Stave House Music Awards Syllabus