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Open Music Assessment

About the Open Music Assessment

We have changed the name of our Performance Assessment to the Open Music Assessment to reflect its assessible nature. From February 2024 all certificates will show the new title of Open Music Assessment. There are no changes to the assessment itself.

The Open Music Assessment is an opportunity to have your playing or singing assessed by one of our examiners in a face-to-face setting. You can choose what to perform and there are no scales, sight-reading or aural tests. The examiner listens to your performance and provides an objective, independent evaluation with no pass or fail and without awarding marks.  

There is no pass or fail and no marks are awarded. At the end of the assessment the examiner gives you a certificate with their constructive comments about your playing or singing. 

Coming soon  - later in 2024 we’ll be making the Open Music Assessment available to Clarion players.  Find out more about the Clarion in our news story

“I enjoy this assessment because I can walk into the exam room without worrying about whether I'm going to pass or fail. I look forward to showing the examiner what I can do in a supportive situation.” 

Why take an Open Music Assessment?

The Open Music Assessment is open to musicians of any age or level, such as: 

  • Performers preparing for a concert, competition, audition or diploma 
  • Musicians with specific needs who may not want to take graded music exams 
  • Adult learners looking for a goal to work towards 
  • Teachers who would like an independent assessment of their playing or singing  

The assessment is available for the following subjects: 

  • Piano, Organ, Harpsichord 
  • Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass 
  • Guitar, Harp 
  • Recorder, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone 
  • Horn, Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, E flat Horn, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba 
  • Percussion 
  • Singing 
  • Jazz – Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet/Cornet/Flugelhorn 

For Harpsichord, Organ and Percussion you must provide a suitable Private Visit venue. 

Jazz Open Music Assessments are only available in Australia, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK. 

How to book

What’s in the assessment

A short programme of up to 15 minutes of own-choice music. You should provide your own accompanist, if needed. You can have a brief conversation with the examiner about your objectives before your performance.  

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