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Young musicians tested

Posted on September 25, 2008, 12:12pm

For serious young musicians across the Limestone Coast, September means examination time.

Each September aspiring young musicians sit their Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) assessments.

A well-established national body of music educators and examiners, the AMEB publishes sets of standard music and technical work for many different instruments.

It also organises examiners to test students in both city and country areas across Australia.

This year, experienced Adelaide based AMEB examiner Alison Rosser spent a week in Mount Gambier listening to students playing a wide variety of instruments.

She listened to see how well they could perform prepared scales, exercises and three or more pieces of music.

Except for pianists, students were required to play some of their pieces with a piano accompanist.

After the exam, students wait anxiously for the written report which announces the verdict on their playing.

In October they will receive a certificate which states their standard of playing compared to other Australian music students.

A variety of stringed instruments including violin, viola, and cello were represented at this year’s local AMEB exams.

String teacher Jennie Matthews was pleased with the results gained across the range of grades and instruments entered by her students.

“I believe that the examiner was very impressed with this year’s standard of string playing and the results of all the students reflect this,” Ms Matthews said.

“It is reassuring to know that young musicians in the country can compare favourably with music students in the city, where opportunities for experience seem far greater.”

Among the students to receive high distinctions were Catriona Giles, grade 4 viola; Daena Wombwell, preliminary cello; and Georgia Kelly-Bakker, grade 6 violin.

Receiving distinctions were Ellen Ferguson, grade 4 violin; Madison Donehue, preliminary violin; Hilary Forgan, preliminary cello; John Pratt, grade 3 viola and Susan Giles, preliminary cello.

Receiving high credit grades were Adrianne Watson, grade 2 violin; Rosemary Young, grade 3 flute; Kelli Malseed, grade 1 violin; Megan Stephenson, grade 2 violin and Brittney Bryant, preliminary violin.

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