AGY-94 | Music Examination Advisory Board

Full description

The Australian Music Examinations Board
The Australian Music Examinations Board was established in 1906 by an agreement with the Universities of Melbourne and Adelaide. Music examination bodies in the various states joined the agreement as they were established the NSW State Conservatorium of Music having done so in 1917. (1) Each participating state provided a representative on the Australian Music Examinations Board. (2) The purpose of the Board was to establish uniform syllabi, examination standards, the form of certificates and the fees charged by candidates and to examiners. (3) Each state was responsible for arranging the examinations including the appointment of examiners, receipt of candidate’s applications and receiving and paying fees. (4) The Agreement did not require the establishment of advisory committees at the state level, however the Queensland Music Advisory Board was established by 1963 (5) New South Wales Music Examinations Advisory Board
The first reference to the New South Wales Advisory Board is in 1970 when the Board reported to the annual AMEB conference. (6) From 1 January 1977 the NSW State Conservatorium of Music ceased to be a party to the agreement and the Under Secretary of the Ministry for Education took over the role, suggesting that the Board moved administratively from within the Conservatorium to report directly to the Minister. (7) At this time it also appeared to move physically to the ADC House in Sydney. It would appear that the Music Examinations Board was established as an entity separate from the Conservatorium in November or December 1975 when it relocated to the ADC Building in Kent Street, Sydney. (8) The new Agreement with the six states in 1979 defined the functions of the Australian Music Examinations Board as follows: - To aid music education in Australia by
(a) establishing a graded system of examinations
(b) creating standards for music teaching, training and examination
(c) promoting appreciation of music
(d) encouraging standards of proficiency
(e) promoting systems to improve the system of examination. (9) The New Constitution for the first time required the establishment of State Committees. Each party will establish and maintain in the several states a State Committee for the purposes of the conduct within each respective state of music examinations in conformity with principles, practices and standards determined by the Board. (10) Endnotes
(1) 69/800047 Allocation of expenses between the states, in 12/12960.1, preamble to Draft Agreement ND, 1963?
(2) 69/800047- Allocation of expenses between the states, in 12/12960.1, s.5 to Draft Agreement ND 1963?
(3) 69/800047- Allocation of expenses between the states, in 12/12960.1, s.2 to Draft Agreement ND 1963?
(4) 69/800047- Allocation of expenses between the states, in 12/12960.1, s.5 to Draft Agreement ND 1963?
(5) 69/800047- Allocation of expenses between the states, in 12/12960.1, attachment to letter 13 March, 1963.
(6) 69/800270 AMEB Annual Conference, 1970.
(7) 69/800047- Allocation of expenses between the states, in 12/12960.1, letter 10 November, 1975.
(8) 69/800047 inferred from addressees and signatories to correspondence Allocation of expenses between the states.
(9) 69/800047 Constitution for the Australian Music Examinations Board, 1979 in 69/800047 Allocation of Expenses between the States (s.2, p.2).
(10) Constitution for the Australian Music Examinations Board, 1979 in 69/800047 Allocation of Expenses between the States (s.4. p.4).