AMEB (NSW) welcomes applications from candidates who wish to perform unaccompanied solo Baroque repertoire on certain period instruments in grade and diploma exams.
A period instrument is an instrument designed and built according to the style and standards of a specific historical period. These instruments are often used in historically informed performances (HIP) by musicians aiming to recreate the sound and musical experience of a certain historical period.
The Baroque period refers to music composed between approx. 1600 and 1750 by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel and Antonio Vivaldi.
Guidelines and eligibility
Candidates may only present one program item on a period instrument. The selected piece must be from the Baroque period and written for unaccompanied solo instrument (i.e. there is no piano/continuo accompaniment written for the piece). Pieces from outside the syllabus will not be considered. In most instances, these pieces are published in list A or list B.
Comprehensive exam
An unaccompanied solo Baroque piece must be presented as a list piece. Extra list pieces cannot be presented on a period instrument.
Repertoire exam
An unaccompanied solo Baroque piece may be presented as a list piece or an own choice piece.
Instruments
Applications are welcomed for grade 5 to certificate of performance and all diploma exams for the following instrument categories:
- recorder
- flute
- oboe
- clarinet
- bassoon
- violin
- viola
- violoncello
- double bass
- classical guitar
- harp
- horn
- trumpet
- trombone
- bass trombone
Process
- Please apply here. All applications are subject to approval by the AMEB (NSW) chief examiner for your instrument group.
- Applications must be submitted at the time of enrolment. Applications received less than three weeks prior to the scheduled exam date will not be considered.
- Applications will be processed within 14 business days of submission.
- Approved applicants will be provided with a special dispensation letter. A copy of this letter should be stapled to your notice of examination.
In the exam room
All instruments must be ready and out of their cases as you walk into the exam room. No extra time is granted for candidates who choose to use a period instrument for one of their pieces. Candidates must provide a hard copy of the special dispensation letter to the examiner.
For any queries, please contact our office.