I know that there are many different exam boards out there that have different outcomes and skills to be met. Here in Australia the most 'dominant' is AMEB (Australian Music Exam Board). It 'levels' using a grading system from peliminary to grade 8 and then to professional levels Associate Music Australia and Liecentrate ... What is also available is Trinity Guildhall, ANZCA (Australia New Zealand something arts) ... ABRSM ... etc. All have the concept of leveling but every board varies in requirements ... it would be interesting to further discuss the variations. I'll put my two cents in later when I get more responses.

I don't have time to respond now - but you might try a search while you're waiting for responses to come in. This has been discussed before. That's not to say nobody will want to discuss it again, but there's sure to be some useful information if you search .

(Being also in Aus, I'm very familiar with AMEB, but have a bit of experience with Trinity, and have looked at the ABRSM material).
Have to go,
currawong

I know Trinity's piano syllabus is limited when you compare it to AMEB. There are less pieces to choose from, however Trinity does allow candidates to play their own composition. If they choose to.

AMEB has extra lists and hence requires more pieces/songs to be learnt. Trinity has an accompanying syllabus that assess' candidates skills in accompanying.

There are just a few things to get the fire going.

http://www.st-cecilia.com.au/

Another examining body to add to the list...

Hahaha, another from down under. Looking at the website it seems to give limited information about what actually goes on in an exam.

What makes it differ to other boards?

link to syllabus page:

http://www.st-cecilia.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=46

Classical piano exam consists of: technical work, 4 pieces + musical knowledge section.

I use them because the technical work and musical knowledge required is the most comprehensive out of all the examining bodies, and you don't have to prepare for pointless aural tests...

Marking scheme is good too - you get a mark out of 100 instead of the nebulous "A" or "B" from AMEB.

"pointless aural tests" ...

interesting statement, its quite true now when I look at it. Aural skills should be useful, I have always thought aural (melody and rhythm) dictation would be helpful but I haven't come across any boards that teach it.

Classical piano is abundant in repertoire range I must say - however it doesn't have extra lists like AMEB and that could be a good or a bad thing. 6 pieces a year can be overwhelming, at the same time encourages hard work from the students.

I've always thought that any board that is really flexible in decision making and allowing students to have a broader knowledge and understanding in different areas.

Any thoughts?

My more serious students usually do 2 exams per year - one normal + a "concert certificate" exam at the same level (4 pieces, no technical work + a more extensive musical knowledge section) so they get examined on 8 pieces each year. Add in eisteddfods, masterclases, concerts, etc and you can get them doing enough work...

I agree - aural work is very important. Just not the way the AMEB does it...

AMEB aural is very precise and specific. Any candidate needs a good theory understanding to know Aural (at least in higher levels) ... masterclasses, eisteddfods, concerts, recitals and exams ... yes that would keep them busy its great to hear that teachers don't revolve their teaching around an exam board, it only teachers a student 10% about performing ... there is much more to it.

How much recognition does St. Cecelia have? Is the standard the same as AMEB? How is the aural component different?

Do you know about Trinity Guildhall exams?

Well my teacher once commented that AMEB's standards are always one step ahead of Trinity's but I'm not too sure how true that is.

A friend also once commented that ABRSM has more 'popular' pieces compared to AMEB but AMEB have harder pieces, but when compared to Trinity is slightly easier.

All of this are just claims from people I know and should not be taken too seriously.

Is St Cecelia recognized by universities per say the same as AMEB? ie. when they say "AMEB Grade 7 or higher required". Also where do you actually take the exams? I'm from WA and it seems they dont have a location listed, just a phone number. Any ideas?

That the stereo type I hear all the time. I am doing a Trinity exam and people think that Trinity has lower standards. I have looked at ABRSM'S Syllabus and it is very similar to Trinity's ... it also depends on the instrument.

For voice Trinity supplies a plentious amount of repertoire but almost nothing for piano. Trinity give candidates the option of performing their own composition, Trinity also requires candidates to have a good understanding of interpretation under the 'general knowledge' department. I have no idea where this whole "Trinity is easier" idea came from but really its like comparing apples to oranges. Trinity offers more flexibility in the vocal syllabus but not much flexibility in the piano syllabus ... Some of Trinity's repertoire is a grade back with piano. In saying that, AMEB does NOT have a very specific marking criteria as Trinity does. Trinity also marks stage prescense and presentation.

Trinity also offers the option of doing an accompanying exam which teaches skills in transposition and following.

... They are just a few things I gathered ...

I did my Trinity ATCL and St Cecelia ADipSCSM within two months of each other, because I was able to use the same pieces, the main difference was St Cecelia wanted one of them memorised. I passed both with flying colours however I would probably rate Trinity over St Cecelia.

Why would you say that? It'll be interestnig to know why ..? Is it the standard?

I guess because of the reputation. Trinity is known worldwide whereas St Cecelia is still relatively new. Maybe Trinity is looked at as lower than ABRSM because you don't need to have passed Grade 5 theory to carry on? So most people swap from Royal Schools to Trinity when they get to that level. I am a student by the way so don't take my opinion as gold, I'm sure teachers have a broader opinion.

AMEB has the prerequisite for prac students to have passed grade 2 theory to do grade 6 ... the alternative is Trinity grade 5 theory ... quite a difference eh?