Faculty of Music : Guide to courses

6. Practical examinations

Table of Contents

 6. Practical examinations

 6.1. Planning the program

Careful planning is required for a practical examination. The examination program requires prior approval by the Faculty(see Approval of the Program).

Reliable estimates of playing times for each work are required, and your teacher will be able to guide you concerning the maximum and minimum allowable program times. A repertoire report form listing all repertoire you have studied in the current year must also be completed and passed to your teacher, who will add a teacher's report and return it to the Faculty prior to the examination. Duplicate copies of the music must also be arranged and brought to the examination room for the examiners. If part or all of the program is to be performed from memory (and this is standard on some instruments), you should discuss this well in advance with your teacher, so sufficient time for memorisation is allowed.

 6.2. Approval of the program

All students taking practical examinations must submit their proposed programs to the Front Office on the Faculty Approval form which also must be signed by your teacher. Deadline: August 1 - for all students, except May 1 - for Music Performance 3 & 4.

 6.3. Examination practice allowances

Prior to their examinations, Music Performance 1 and 2 and Practical Study 3 and 4students may book to rehearse on their examination piano for one hour. Students appearing in Concert Class may rehearse on the 1981 Steinway for 20 minutes. Whilst every effort will be made to accomodate requests for examination or concert class practice, the Faculty cannot guarantee availability of pianos or venues.

The concert instruments in Melba Hall are among the finest in Melbourne, and reserved strictly for professional recordings and public concerts; only Music Performance 3 and 4 students may book one of the two concert Steinways in Melba Hall prior to their examinations for one 3-hour rehearsal only. Note that the same restrictions apply to professionals performing in Melba Hall: the Faculty is determined to maintain the hall's reputation as the finest recital and chamber venue in the state.

The Building Supervisor is instructed to eject students using Conservatorium Steinways without approval, and the Faculty will take disciplinary action against a student making unauthorised use of Melba Hall. Booking of the pianos in Melba Hall and the Heinze Room should be arranged with the Concert Office. If a student with a booking finds a piano is locked, a key is available from the Building Supervisor or the Office; this should be returned immediately the piano has been opened.

 6.4. Accompanists

The Faculty pays for a limited amount of accompanists' fees for each student who requires an accompanist. Only accompanists on the faculty staff list may be engaged. The Faculty pays for accompanists for the following (time allocations may vary from year to year, but are availalble from the office):

• End of year exams in Music Performance 1 & 2, Practical Study 3 & 4, and Music Performance 3 & 4 (principal instrument)

• End of year exams (minor practical study)

• Music Performance 4 concerto exam

• Concert Class appearance

• Performance Class appearance

Students should not pay the accompanist for the above hours as the Faculty pays for this directly. The Faculty cannot re-imburse students for any payments made directly to the accompanist. Students are encouraged to supplement these times themselves. For the end of year examination, the accompanist must be contacted well in advance (no later than the start of semester two) to ensure adequate rehearsal can be arranged. Evidence of preparation with the accompanist is taken into account by examiners.

 6.5. Audiences

Music Performance 3 and 4 examinations are open to the public. An audience is not permitted for any other practical examinations.

 6.6. Special consideration in practical examinations

The procedure for applying for special consideration is detailed below. Note however, that such consideration is based on your performance at the regularly scheduled examination: it does not include the deferral of a particular examination. Unless you are physically prevented by injury, from being able to attend the practical examination, you must proceed, and the matter of special consideration will be considered by the Board of Examiners afterwards.

 6.7. Deferment of practical examination

The Faculty will not normally defer a practical examination, which it regards as equivalent to a public performace committment. Students who are unwell should seek special consideration, and proceed on the normal date.

Applications for deferment must be submitted to the Deputy Dean and will only be considered if there are very unusual extenuating circumstances documented by a medical certificate and involving physical impairment which actually prevents a student from performing.

Status:                   Official 1999
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