Syllabus news
There aren't many changes this year, unless you count the EPIC news that all our Syllabuses are now FREE! Download yours today from the AMEB Online Shop.
But in terms of new Syllabuses, there aren't many changes as we're busily working on some big projects for later in the year. But there are a couple of things so have a read through whatever relates to your teaching and learning and get in touch if you'd like to know more.
PIANO: SERIES 19 GRADE BOOKS
New resources just released! There are no changes to the Piano Syllabus (ie technical work requirements or manual lists), other than to add these fabulous new works to the options available to candidates. Head to your favourite local retailer or the AMEB Online Shop to get your copy.
ROCKSCHOOL PIANO: NEW SYLLABUS
The new syllabus is here, complete with Rockschool's signature selection of contemporary favourites from across the genres.
Each book includes a whopping 12 tracks, at least one of which overlaps with the Guitar, Bass, and Drums music so that students can jam and prepare for exams together.
If you've already begun working toward an exam with the old syllabus (2019), that's totally fine. You have until the end of 2026 to enrol and complete that before the syllabus is withdrawn. And remember - you can't mix and match. Pick EITHER the old OR the new syllabus and prepare the entire exam from the one set of materials.
ROCKSCHOOL: PERFORMANCE & TEACHING DIPLOMAS
The Diplomas for Levels 4 and 6 have been refreshed, with new Professional Performance and Teaching Diplomas now available. These are designed to support and guide you in taking your music to the next level and into professional pathways. The old Rockschool Diplomas in Music and Performing Arts are no longer available (unless you're still completing a prior enrolment in the required timeframe).
SPEECH AND DRAMA
You have an easy year! No changes for you but, if you're also using the Acting, Screen Acting, or Public Speaking Syllabuses, we'll be launching a rebrand of PAA to Stageschool later this year.
PAA / STAGESCHOOL
PAA has rebranded to Stageschool in the UK and you'll see a launch of this in Australia soon. They're all the same great Syllabuses that are free to download (and accompanied by plenty of free teaching resources). There are still no teacher registration fees - all you pay for are the exams. And the Examiner comes to you!
TEACHING
We're creating a Teaching Skills Video Series to support you in your learning and growth journey. These accessible course-style videos each cover key strategies to effective music instruction. They're designed to help you achieve your Teaching Diploma but can easily be used separately to explore an area and up your game. Head to SCORE to start your learning today and watch out for more as they're released.
SYLLABUS WITHDRAWALS
Don't forget that the following "old" syllabuses have recently concluded and are no longer available for examining:
- Viola
- Teaching*
- Rockschool Diplomas in Music and Performing Arts*
*Completion of prior enrolments permitted within the required timeframe.
UCP & TCE
A friendly reminder that students can achieve both AMEB exams AND UCP concurrently. You can even use the same repertoire (although that's discouraged because, let's be honest, a bit of variety in life is a good thing). This recent change acknowledges the different assessment requirements and objectives of each and recognises the immense amount of work that we know goes into achieving both of these worthy undertakings!
And don't forget that any practical exams (Grade 4 and upwards) and theory exams (Grade 2 and upwards) are eligible for bonus TCE points. Just include your details in your enrolment and we'll even report everything to TASC for you.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Our publishing team is working on Cello, Tuba, and Singing for Leisure at the moment so watch this space!
Other updates and changes
EXAM SESSION DATES
School terms are a little different this year (11 weeks in Term 1) so we’ve done our best to move exam periods and relevant enrolment dates around the holidays and key dates. We understand that you need at least one week at the start of each term to check in with students before an enrolment close date so we’ve done our best to accommodate that while still ensuring we can provide our usual 4 weeks’ minimum notice of your exam times in the larger sessions. A couple of things to note:
- Session 1 (Hobart) will likely coincide with the Hobart Marathon so please plan your journey.
- Session 2 Enrolment close date is in the first week of Term 2. Sorry but we couldn’t make this any later so please help us by wording your students up accordingly.
- Session 2 finishes on the first weekend of the school holidays. If you’re enrolling in this Session, please plan your holidays accordingly.
- Session 5 is a week shorter, as we’re seeing more enrolments spread across the year. This may mean an earlier exam so please ensure students are ready to do their exam on any date within the Session.
ENROLMENT CLOSING DATES
You’ll be able to enrol in two main sessions for any and all practical exams. Furthermore, there are two, weekend-long sessions for piano syllabuses (Grade exams) in both Hobart and Launceston. A reminder that the final week of Session 5 is reserved for our Candidates undertaking TCE exams (and a few extras to make the day worthwhile for our Examiners). We've continued to refine our processes to make enrolment close dates as late as possible for you. If you do miss it, get in touch as we may still be able to fit you in.
Our full list of session dates is downloadable and it folds into a handy desk calendar!
Download your printable session dates
COPIES OF MUSIC
We are no longer asking you to bring copies of works for General Knowledge discussion to help with physical distancing. However, you are still expected to bring copies of pieces where specified in the syllabus.
We continue to ask that For Leisure candidates please provide copies of your Own Choice works for Repertoire exams. This is a requirement for Comprehensive exams but we appreciate your assistance in extending that to Repertoire as well. One of the greatest benefits of these syllabuses is that they offer such a wide variety of genres for candidates to choose from - a chance to explore and engage with a plethora of styles and works. Our Examiners are amazing but being expected to know every single work available is a pretty big ask. They've asked for copies of the music so that they can read along to see just how brilliant the performances are, and to be able to provide relevant comments and guidance in their reports.
RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
We've revamped what was previously a section titled "Teacher resources" on our website with lots of great new tips and content. There's a section for parents, and another just for Candidates, including an area dedicated to Candidate wellbeing resources. Wellbeing means different things to different people but, in a broader context, we believe that looking after ourselves holistically will give us the best possible chance of being the best versions of our performing selves. This resource is designed to help you achieve exactly that by integrating wellbeing into daily practice and life. There's also a section for anyone feeling overwhelmed or needing support so please check it out and refer your students to take a look. You'll also find helpful hints for exams, the Teacher Handbook, advocacy for parents, and more in Resources and support in the menu above.
And that's a wrap! Or at least, for now. There'll be plenty more to come this year and we can't wait to experience it with you. If you have any questions or would like more information on anything, try our Teacher Handbook, or get in touch with your friendly AMEB Tasmania team.
