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Licentiate in Music, Australia facts for kids

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The Licentiate in Music, Australia (LMusA) is a special music diploma given to very talented musicians in Australia. It's like a high-level award for people who are excellent at playing music, understanding music theory, and having strong musical skills. The Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) gives out this diploma after a tough exam. Other music groups in Australia also have similar high-level diplomas, like the Licentiate Performer Diploma ANZCA (L.Dip.A) from Australian and New Zealand Cultural Arts (ANZCA).

The AMEB is the main group for music exams in Australia. Only about 10% of the people who try for the LMusA actually pass! Usually, students will have already passed the Associate diploma (which is also a high level) before trying for the LMusA. Even higher than the LMusA is the Fellowship in Music, Australia (FMusA), which is very rare and super prestigious.

What is the LMusA Exam Like?

When you take a practical LMusA exam, two expert examiners will be there. One is a Federal examiner who makes sure the standards are the same across the whole country. The other is a state examiner who knows a lot about the specific instrument you are playing.

To pass, you need to play a set of musical pieces that lasts between 35 and 50 minutes. You also get ten extra minutes where the examiners ask you questions about the music you played. This tests your general knowledge about the pieces.

After the exam, you can get one of three results:

  • No award: This means you didn't pass this time.
  • Award: This means you passed and earned the diploma.
  • Award with distinction: This is very rare and means you performed exceptionally well!

Categories for the LMusA

The LMusA diploma can be awarded in many different areas of music. Here are some of the main categories:

Music Theory and Musicianship

  • Theory of Music: This includes studying music history (musicology), how to put notes together (harmony), and how to write different musical lines that sound good together (counterpoint). It also covers how to arrange music for different instruments (orchestration & arrangement).
  • Musicianship: This part tests your ability to hear and understand music (aural skills) and to analyze written music.

Keyboard Instruments

  • Piano
  • Organ
  • Accordion
  • Electronic Organ

String Instruments

  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Double Bass
  • Classical Guitar
  • Harp

Woodwind Instruments

  • Recorder
  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • Clarinet
  • Bassoon
  • Saxophone

Orchestral Brass Instruments

  • Horn
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Tuba
  • Euphonium

Brass Band Instruments

  • Instruments commonly used in brass bands, like those in B flat, E flat, and C.

Singing

  • Singing (classical style)
  • Musical Theatre (singing from musicals)

Ensemble Performance

This category is for groups of musicians playing together.

  • Woodwind Ensemble
  • Brass Ensemble
  • Percussion Ensemble
  • Strings Ensemble
  • Mixed Ensemble (different types of instruments playing together)
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