Considering sitting flute Examinations?

The decision of whether or not to sit exams is a personal one for every student.  

Some students find that having the goal of achieving certain objectives by the exam date is a great motivator.  For other students though the pressure of trying to attain perfection across a wide range of areas for a set time/date can be overwhelming and cause unnecessary stress and anxiety which can have a negative impact on their learning.

Regardless of whether or not you chose to sit examinations it will not change the information you learn or the educational and life enhancing value of studying music!

If you DO decide to include examinations in your musical journey be aware that they require consistent and dedicated practice throughout the entire year.  It is also essential that students undertaking examinations invest the time and money to rehearse with an accompanist in the months leading up to the exam so as to ensure that their ensemble work is well prepared.  For the higher grades it is also required by some examination boards that students attend Musicianship/Music Theory courses and pass the associated examinations in order to be eligible to receive their practical instrumental performance examination certificates.

As mentioned above, examinations are not for everyone.  You might chose not to sit any at all, ever, or you might only sit one occasionally.  Unless a student requires the looming examination as a motivator to practice and apply new knowledge there is really no impact regarding progress.  

In Australia, a number of options exist when it comes to sitting examinations in your instrument however the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) is the only organisation that offers the ability to sit exams in Gosford and they only offer this for their mid year exams.  The AMEB offers two types of examination, Comprehensive and Repertoire.  Both are outlined below.

End of year AMEB exams, Trininty Guildhall and ABRSM exams and Associated Board exams are only available to sit in Sydney.

AMEB Comprehensive Examinations require preparation and presentation of set Scales & technical exercises (from memory), Aural testing, General Knowledge and between 3 and 6 pieces of music with piano accompaniment depending on level.

As with Repertoire Examinations a good result requires consistent and regular practice throughout the entire year.  

More information on Comprehensive examinations is available here:

https://www.ameb.edu.au/flute 

AMEB Examination Pre-requisites/Additional Requirements

There are no pre-requisites for AMEB Examinations up to Grade 5.

From Grade 6 and beyond, the AMEB requires that Candidates achieve a pass in Musicianship, Theory of Music or Music Craft (or equivalents) in order to pass the principal examinations at Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Certificate of Performance and for the Level 3 examinations.  "The additional requirement need not be completed before the principal examination, but, until both the principal examination and the additional requirement are passed, the examination is incomplete, and no certificate will be awarded.  It is the responsibility of the candidate to give notification as to the date of passing this additional requirement, and the centre at which such examination was held."

All students considering or undertaking examinations are recommendedto commence grade 1 musicianship no later than the year that they intend to attempt a Grade 5 examination.  That said however the study of musicianship in addition to practical study of an instrument will help students achieve better results due to the increased general knowledge and aural skills which come from this additional study when commenced early.

Below are the requirements for each of the AMEB grades from Grade 6 as it appears in the 2020 Flute Syllabus.

LMusA Practical Pass, G6 Theory of Music or Musicianship

AMusA Practical Pass, G5 Theory of Music or Musicianship

Certificate of Performance Pass, G4 Theory of Music or Musicianship

Grade 8 Practical Pass, G4 Theory of Music or Musicianship

Grade 7 Practical Pass, G3 Theory of Music or Musicianship

Grade 6 Practical Pass, G2 Theory of Music or Musicianship

AMEB Repertoire Examinations allow students to focus on their technique through their repertoire rather than having to present technical work etc in the examination environment.  This examination option may seam "easier" on the surface (no scales, general knowledge or aural testing) however be warned that if chosing this option there is no opportunity to show the examiner ability in other areas and mistakes in the performance of pieces will lead to a lesser result.

More information on Repertoire examinations is available here:

https://www.ameb.edu.au/repertoire  

AMEB Examination Pre-requisites/Additional Requirements

There are no pre-requisites for AMEB Examinations up to Grade 5.

From Grade 6 and beyond, the AMEB requires that Candidates achieve a pass in Musicianship, Theory of Music or Music Craft (or equivalents) in order to pass the principal examinations at Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Certificate of Performance and for the Level 3 examinations.  "The additional requirement need not be completed before the principal examination, but, until both the principal examination and the additional requirement are passed, the examination is incomplete, and no certificate will be awarded.  It is the responsibility of the candidate to give notification as to the date of passing this additional requirement, and the centre at which such examination was held."

All students considering or undertaking examinations are recommendedto commence grade 1 musicianship no later than the year that they intend to attempt a Grade 5 examination.  That said however the study of musicianship in addition to practical study of an instrument will help students achieve better results due to the increased general knowledge and aural skills which come from this additional study when commenced early.

Below are the requirements for each of the AMEB grades from Grade 6 as it appears in the 2020 Flute Syllabus.

LMusA Practical Pass, G6 Theory of Music or Musicianship

AMusA Practical Pass, G5 Theory of Music or Musicianship

Certificate of Performance Pass, G4 Theory of Music or Musicianship

Grade 8 Practical Pass, G4 Theory of Music or Musicianship

Grade 7 Practical Pass, G3 Theory of Music or Musicianship

Grade 6 Practical Pass, G2 Theory of Music or Musicianship

The ABRSM is the UK’s largest music education body, one of its largest music publishers and the world’s leading provider of music exams, offering assessments to over 650,000 candidates in more than 90 countries every year. ABRSM Examinations are available in Australia and are offered in Sydney.

ABRSM Flute exams consist of three pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests.  More information on ABRSM examinations are available here:

https://au.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/woodwind-exams/flute-exams/ 

The Trininty Guildhall website says "Trinity College London is a leading international examinations board with a difference. Our reputation rests on our continuing ability to provide respected qualifications both in the English language and across a growing range of disciplines in the performing arts.  But what sets us apart is our focus on the learner, every learner. Our exams and assessments are designed to help students and trainees progress; to mark an achievement at each stage of their development, and at all levels of competence, on a journey towards fulfilment of their own individual talents and abilities. "

Trinity Guildhall exams can be sat in Sydney.  More information about Trinity Guildhall examinations is available here:

https://www.trinitycollege.com/site/?id=1046