Message from the General Manager
Welcome to AMEB Victoria’s website, where you can find information about the wide range of services that we offer in support of music and speech education.
The Australian Music Examinations Board proudly celebrated 100 years of service to education on 15 May 2018. It is estimated that the AMEB has conducted more than seven million examinations for students at various stages of their musical journey. Tens of thousands of high achievers have been recognised by the award of the prestigious AMEB Associate, Licentiate or Fellowship diploma.
A subsidiary of the University of Melbourne and a registered charity, AMEB Victoria operates on a not-for-profit basis, offering a wide range of services accessible to students from all regions of Victoria whilst keeping fees as affordable as possible. However, we do not compromise on quality: we offer feedback and assessment from specialist examiners who, together with our customer-focussed administrative team, aim to deliver services of the highest standard.
The AMEB continues to innovate to meet changing needs of students in music and speech. Perhaps the most significant development in recent years has been the introduction of a Repertoire Exam option for most instruments. AMEB’s traditional Comprehensive Exam continues to attract large numbers of enrolments and maintains its reputation as the gold standard for recognising the attainment of musical skills.
In response to the public health measures introduced in 2020, we acted swiftly to offer the Repertoire Exam by pre-recorded video submission. As the teaching, learning, performing and examining environment is expected to be unstable for some time to come, it is suggested that grade examination candidates consider preparing for a Repertoire Exam, if suitable, so that they can transfer to a recorded video examination if face-to-face examinations cannot proceed safely. AMEB Connect will be open to video exam enrolments until 16 September 2022.
We understand that the majority of candidates prefer to present for a practical examination in person, and we will endeavour to offer the full range of face-to-face examinations at the AMEB studios in Hawthorn under conservative COVID-safe protocols. However, as the availability of our studios might be constrained by physical distancing rules and density quotients, we encourage schools and teaching studios to consider hosting examinations, where possible.
Should public health orders prevent face-to-face examining for a brief period, we will re-schedule face-to-face examinations to a later date, if possible. However, as the end of year approaches, the possibility of deferring examinations will diminish considerably. If necessary, we will give priority to scheduling face-to-face examinations for Diploma and Certificate of Performance candidates and Level 2 instrumental examinations requiring accompaniment. Regrettably, the only examination that can be guaranteed to be held at the desired time is a pre-recorded video exam, and candidates are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the video exam option in 2022.
Although the convenient online examinations in music theory are embraced by thousands of Victorians each year, we appreciate that some students prefer the pencil-and-paper approach. We are pleased to advise that, in 2022, paper-based exams in Theory of Music will be available to groups of ten or more candidates wishing to take an examination at the same time – on any day between 1 March and 30 November.
For students whose learning program does not suit an AMEB Comprehensive or Repertoire examination, AMEB Victoria offers a Performance Evaluation Program. The content of the Evaluation is determined by the teacher and customised to the needs of the student. As well as the in-person Evaluation, students have the option of recording their performance and submitting a video for evaluation at any time from March to November.
AMEB is proud to continue its partnership with RSL (UK) to offer the range of Rockschool examinations. We would encourage students who wish to develop performance skills in contemporary popular music styles to consider the excellent Rockschool learning materials and establish a goal for their studies by enrolling for a Rockschool examination through AMEB Victoria. Rockschool Performance Certificate and Graded Certificate examinations are available by pre-recorded video submission.
Our online service centre AMEB Connect is a ‘one-stop shop’ where candidates can be enrolled for AMEB Practical and Online Written exams, Performance Evaluations, Teacher Consultations and Rockschool exams; and AMEB and Rockschool teaching and learning resources may be purchased. Prices are discounted for AMEB Victoria clients and any profits are used to assist AMEB candidates and teachers, through lower exam prices and student/teacher support programs.
We wish you every success with your teaching or studies, and we look forward to supporting your learning and recognising your achievements throughout 2022.
Alwyn Mott BMus, DipEd(Melb), GradDipBusAdmin(Monash), AMusA
General Manager
AMEB Victoria