Music exams
Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Qld offers graded practical and written examinations in Music. The AMEB Syllabus is one of the most widely used Music curricula in Australia.
Assessing students from Preliminary to Diploma levels (and from P Plate Piano to Diploma level for piano), candidates can enrol in exams on a vast array instruments from the following families:
- Keyboard—including piano, organ and accordion
- Strings—including violin, viola, cello, double bass, classical guitar and harp
- Woodwind—including recorder, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and saxophone
- Orchestral Brass—including horn, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, tuba and euphonium
- Percussion
- Band—including Concert Band and Brass Band Bb, Eb and C instruments
- Voice—including singing and musical theatre.
Candidates can also undertake ensemble performance examinations, available for string, woodwind, brass, percussion or other mixed ensembles.
AMEB Qld offers Theory examinations in Music Craft, Theory of Music and Musicianship as well.
We have updated the syllabus for 2019. Read more information about the 2019 updates.
AMEB Qld offers the following types of music examinations.
Comprehensive examinations
From 2019, the traditional exam that will be familiar to most teachers and candidates will become known as the 'comprehensive' exam.
A comprehensive exam consists of technical work, studies and pieces and, depending on the level and syllabus requirements, aural tests, sight-reading and general knowledge.
For the full syllabus requirements, please refer to the Manual of Syllabuses.
Within the new Piano Syllabus (only), candidates can undertake a comprehensive 'collaborative' examination. The collaborative option allows candidates to demonstrate ensemble skills by presenting works with an associate artist as part of the repertoire requirements for the grade. Please refer to the full syllabus requirements for more information.
For leisure examinations
AMEB’s 'For leisure' syllabuses—available in piano, saxophone and voice—cater to a variety of musical tastes and interests.
These syllabuses are designed for all ages and explore popular repertoire including well-loved standards from the classics, jazz standards, arrangements of movie themes, popular songs and concert arrangements. The singing for leisure syllabus includes folk songs, songs from musical theatre and film, and contemporary popular songs.
The For leisure syllabuses differ from the comprehensive syllabuses in the technical work requirements, and candidates are given the choice between aural tests and sight reading. Further, no additional Theory of Music, Musicianship or Music Craft examination is required to pass any grade or the Certificate of Performance.
For the full syllabus requirements, please refer to the Manual of Syllabuses.
Repertoire examinations
AMEB is now offering repertoire examinations for all syllabuses excluding for leisure, band, ensemble performance and contemporary popular music (CPM).
In repertoire exams, only pieces are heard:
- 4 pieces (3 list and 1 own choice) for Level 1 examinations
- 5 pieces (3 list and 2 own choice) for Level 2 examinations.
While technical work is still important and relevant for exam preparation, repertoire exams allow candidates to focus on their technique through repertoire and have the flexibility to choose a range of repertoire styles, including own choice works.
Similar to comprehensive exams, repertoire exam candidates must still achieve a pass grade in particular grades of musicianship, theory of music or music craft (or equivalents) in order to complete the requirements for practical examinations at Grade 6, 7 and 8.
For the full syllabus requirements, please refer to the Manual of Syllabuses.
Ensemble Performance examinations
The Ensemble Performance Syllabuses enable ensembles to be examined and focus on works for instruments in the specified family; however, works presented under each subject may include other instruments, for example, Piano, Guitar, Harp and Percussion.
Similar to other syllabuses, these syllabuses are broken down into 3 levels of Grades 1–Diploma.
For the full syllabus requirements, please refer to the Manual of Syllabuses.
Speech exams
Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Qld offers graded practical and written examinations in Speech and Drama, with the AMEB Syllabus being one of the most widely used Speech and Drama curricula in Australia.
Assessing students from Preliminary to Diploma levels, candidates can study Voice and Communication, Speech and Performance (formerly Drama and Performance), Drama and Communication, and Speech and Performance Theory.
We have updated the syllabus for 2019. Read more information about the 2019 updates.
Voice and Communication
Voice and Communication exams are designed to develop voice and communication skills both for everyday life and the professional sector, and exams are offered from Preliminary grade to associate. The exams are designed to develop confidence in communications:
- the skills to read effectively
- speak with clarity
- make presentations to a variety of audiences.
'Pre-exams' are also offered in Voice and Communication. Often, a young, inexperienced or enthusiastic student wants to do an exam but does not have the requisite maturity and skills. The pre-exam offers candidates—individually or in a small group (2–3 people)—the opportunity to experience the examination situation in an enjoyable and non-graded environment.
Speech and Performance (formerly Drama and Performance)
Speech and Performance exams are designed to develop interpretative and performance skills across a broad spectrum of styles, genres and eras, and are offered from Preliminary to Licentiate Diploma level. Candidates will achieve secure vocal technique, integrated physical response and imaginative and insightful presentation of texts. They will develop the skills required for interpreting to audiences in a variety of performance spaces.
Drama and Communication
The Drama and Communication Syllabus offers a series of examinations in the area of performing arts. The exams are especially designed for a wide range of drama and speech learning environments and provide for creative flexibility within these contexts. The syllabus should appeal to both classroom Drama teachers and Speech and Drama teachers working in a private studio.
It is a multi-optional syllabus and candidates may present for examination:
- in one large class group in which sub groups could work together to flesh out the focus and performance for the chosen grade—these students would present one examination lasting 30 minutes (or more according to level)
- in pairs (duo)
- as individual candidates.
Speech and Performance Theory
Speech and Performance Theory exams are an opportunity for candidates to show their understanding of the functional framework of speech and performance, and are offered from 1st grade to 7th grade. The exams are designed to have relevance for a wide range of candidates, focusing on progressive consolidation of knowledge relating to dramatic performance, oral interpretation and spoken interaction in a variety of communication situations.
For more information on any of the Speech and Drama Syllabuses, please refer to the current 2019 Speech and Drama Manual of Syllabuses or contact the AMEB Qld state office on (07) 3634 0933.
If you are looking to enrol in a Speech and Drama exam, or are a current candidate, the following documents are available for download: