A MUSICAL ASSESSMENT - CONTINUED.

The New Zealand Music Examinations Board (NZMEB) is a national alternative for music assessment, offering examinations at various levels and stages of musical development. It also assesses musical performance at NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3, providing an opportunity for all entrants to have their musical achievements recognised and recorded on the NZQA Record of Learning.

NZMEB exams have two different 'streams' to choose from: Performance and Standard.

The expected level of competence is the same for both streams, and so is the choice of repertoire. The difference is in three areas, these are in:

The number of pieces to be performed:

Standard exam - 3
Performance exam - Between 4 and 6

Technical work (e.g. scales):

Standard exam - 2 scale tonal centres,
Performance exam - Depending on the grade, up to 4 scale tonal centres.

NZMEB generally focuses on the type and number of the various articulations that a scale can be played instead of more scales with fewer articulations. This is because we believe that it is better to be able to play one scale many different ways than play many scales one way! The technical work for strings, wind and brass includes long notes and a slow scale, focusing on the evenness of tone and consistency in intonation.

Musical Knowledge:
This is the same for both streams, because the learnings gained through research should 'help inform the musical performance', providing an informed understanding of the piece and allowing for a more insightful performance.

Musicianship:
The elements tested in Musicianship are Rhythm, Pitch, Harmony and Sight-reading.

This area is often the most neglected yet is in many ways the most important as it develops the 'all-round musician' and the 'inner ear'. Barenboim stated in Beyond the Music, "Take the harmonic basis, seriously. Harmony is the most important element of harmony, melody and rhythm. The most powerful is the harmony. This is almost scientific".

For orchestral instruments, the approach to repertoire is twofold:

Lists A, B and C for grades up to and including Grade 5 have extensive repertoire lists to choose from.
For Grades 6, 7 and 8, List D has a slightly different approach. The intention is that the works of New Zealand composers will be performed, and the works may be either unaccompanied or accompanied. Compared to other lists, List D is much smaller, which ensures that a majority of the works on the list would be performed. The list can be renewed at regular intervals, which allows a wide range of New Zealand composers to be featured. All the compositions are made available through SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music, which champions and promotes the music of Aotearoa New Zealand. As the New Zealand Music Examination Board, it felt appropriate that works by New Zealand composers are taught and performed.

The Performance Certificate examination uses Grade 7 and 8 repertoires, specifically designed to encourage a recital. The Recital Diploma exam also requires applicants to write a short programme note on each work performed. As the choice of repertoire at the higher grades increases, it will be suggested that a New Zealand work could be included in the performance.