Introduction
In
general, practical examinations comprise the presentation
of work in the following areas: technical work; studies
and pieces (including extra lists); aural tests; sight
reading and general knowledge.
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Technical
Work
Unless
specified otherwise, all technical work is to be presented
from memory.
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Studies
and Pieces
Pieces
to be presented must be drawn from the lists appropriate
for the grade, as included in the current Manual of
Syllabuses and/or the Board’s published grade
books (where applicable). The syllabus lists may be
revised from year to year and new grade books may
be issued. Teachers and candidates should refer to
the appropriate syllabus in the current Manual for
up to date information.
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Extra
Lists
From
Second to Seventh grades inclusive, candidates in
Singing and all Instrumental subjects must submit
a list of extra pieces studied, other than those presented
for examination.
NB: No Extra List pieces required for Piano for Leisure.
The
Extra List should have an educational value similar
to that already prescribed in the syllabus. For example,
candidates might wish to present another work from
the syllabus, the current grade book, or earlier editions
of grade books. The candidate may present a work of
educational value similar to those listed in the syllabus
from a source other than those listed above. Candidates
will be required to demonstrate familiarity with these
pieces by performing the whole or any part of them
at the discretion of the examiner. The music must
be brought to the examination room.
Accompaniment
of Extra List pieces is not required, even if the
work is written with accompaniment.
The
following minimum requirements apply:
- Piano,
Violin, Accordion, Electronic Organ, Organ, Recorder
— two pieces for Second to Seventh grades inclusive.
- Viola,
Cello, Double Bass — two pieces for Second
grade, three pieces for Third to Sixth grades inclusive,
four pieces for Seventh grade.
- Woodwind
and Brass — two pieces for Second grade, three
pieces for Third to Seventh grades inclusive.
- Guitar
and Harp — two pieces for Second to Fourth
grades inclusive, three pieces for Fifth to Seventh
grades inclusive.
- Band
— two pieces for Second grade and three pieces
for Third to Seventh grades inclusive.
- Singing
— two pieces for Second grade, three pieces
for Third grade, four pieces for Fourth to Seventh
Grades inclusive.
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Memorisation
Except
where actually prescribed, candidates are not required
to play or sing from memory. However, candidates should
be encouraged even at the earliest stages to make
a habit of memorising.
Candidates
playing from memory must still bring their music to
the examination for the General Knowledge section.
For
diploma examinations the memorisation requirement
is as follows.
Associate
candidates are encouraged to present a portion of
the program from memory; at Licentiate one work must
be presented from memory, except in Organ; and at
Fellowship level the following requirements apply:
Woodwind, Brass, Organ and all other instruments except
Piano and Strings are encouraged to perform the whole
program from memory. Piano candidates are required
to present the whole program, except contemporary
pieces, from memory. Strings candidates must present
the whole program, except contemporary pieces and
sonatas, from memory. For Singing, presentation by
memory is required except in Opera and Oratorio.
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Regulations
Teachers
and candidates should note carefully all regulations.
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Examination
Conditions
In
those cases where examinations are conducted in premises
not provided by the AMEB, the local authority or teacher
must assume responsibility for the provision of a
pianoforte of adequate quality and ensure that it
is tuned and regulated (pitch C522 recommended). Where
necessary a music stand must also be provided.
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Accompanist
Accompaniment
is essential wherever the pieces presented are provided
with piano accompaniments, with the exception of Extra
List pieces. Refer to Regulation 24. This should be
checked with the retailer at the time of purchase
of the solo part. Singing and all instrumental subjects
other than Pianoforte, Accordion, Organ, Electronic
Organ, Harp and Guitar, are to be accompanied. Candidates
must provide their own accompanist (who may be the
teacher), but the accompanist may remain in the examination
room only when actually required. While it is desirable
in all grades for candidates to be competently accompanied,
in the higher grades (particularly in those pieces
where interpretative success depends upon a musical
partnership as in a sonata etc.) candidates are advised
to seek the services of an experienced accompanist
in order to do themselves full justice and be assessed
accordingly.
Extra
Lists do not have to be accompanied, even if written
with accompaniment.
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Repeats
Candidates
are required to be familiar with repeats, but these
need not be performed during the course of the examination
unless specifically requested by the examiner. However,
da capo directions should be observed.
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Pencil
Marks
Before
entering the examination room candidates should see
that all pencil marks which may have been made on
their music to indicate general knowledge information
are carefully erased. Marks indicating fingering,
bowing or other teaching aids need not be erased.
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Editions
Editions
are mentioned solely as a means of identification.
Original editions are recommended but any standard
edition will be accepted. The Board does not prescribe
any specific edition. In the case of arrangements
however, it is necessary to use the specified volume
as other editions may be of unsuitable levels of difficulty.
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Metronome
Marks
Metronome
marks should be regarded as an approximate indication
of required tempo.
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Page
Turning
Teachers
and candidates are advised that candidates should
not expect examiners to turn pages and adequate steps
must be taken to ensure continuity of the music in
performance. A page-turner may be used by the candidate
and/or accompanist. The page-turner may only remain
in the examination room when actually required.
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General
Notes
At
the beginning of each syllabus the General Notes outline
any details specific to that syllabus.
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Keys
of Pieces
Teachers
and candidates are advised that pieces must be presented
in the key that is specified in the syllabus.
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Aural Tests, Sight Reading, General Knowledge
Requirements
These
can be found in the first section of the Manual. Consult
the Contents or Index page for the correct page number.
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Availability
of Material
The
AMEB regrets that due to circumstances beyond its
control it is unable to be responsible for the availability
of listed syllabus material. Teachers are advised
to consult their retailer in this regard or to choose
an alternative work from the list. Teachers who are
uncertain which retailers in their State stock AMEB
syllabus material, are advised to apply to the State
Office for a list of such retailers. Teachers and
candidates are advised to check all printed examination
material issued by authorities other than the Board
in order to ensure that it conforms to the standards
and requirements of AMEB examinations.
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Australian
Music Centre
Candidates
requiring facsimile scores from the Australian Music
Centre can write direct to the centre at the following
address: Post Office Box N690 Grosvenor Place, Sydney
1220; Phone: (02) 9247 4677; Fax: (02) 9241 2873.
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Photocopies
In
general, the Copyright Act prohibits the use of photocopied
music.
Photocopies
should not be used by candidates in AMEB examinations,
unless an exception to copyright applies, or the relevant
music publisher has granted permission for the candidate
to make a copy.
In
some circumstances, a copy of music may be required
for use by the examiner. In these cases, if performing
from memory, candidates must provide a published edition
of the music to the examiner. If performing from the
published music, a photocopy of the music can be provided
to the examiner and a ‘Form 3’ from the
Practical Copyright Guide to the Use of Print Music
in Australia should be completed and attached.
From
2002, it is a new requirement that diploma candidates
supply a copy of their music to the examiner.
If
unsure of the provisions of the Copyright Act please
contact the Print Music Manager at AMCOS (02) 9935
7700. The Practical Copyright Guide to the Use of
Print Music in Australia is available from music retailers,
AMCOS, or may be downloaded from www.apra.com.au
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Approvals
of Music
In
some situations the AMEB requires a copy of music
to be provided for approval purposes prior to an examination
— for example FMusA programs and some Own Choice
works. In such cases, candidates should consult the
AMCOS publication A Practical Copyright Guide to the
Use of Print Music in Australia in order to ensure
authorised copies are submitted.
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Objectives
Each
syllabus contains a set of objectives which provide
guidance on examiners’ expectations of achievement
at each level.
