Music Examination System Defended

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31079, 7 June 1966, Page 14

Music Examination System Defended

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 6. A small but determined pressure group wanted to establish an internal system of examinations in music to replace those conducted by the Associate Board of the Royal Schools, Professor C. Nalden, of Auckland University, said at the congress of organists.

Professor Malden said he agreed with some of the criticisms of the British system, but New Zealand wished to govern musical de-

velopment by an examination system, the choice was a simple one. The advantages of the British examinations were too numerous to be rejected. However, there had been much criticism of the Associated Board’s examinations and one of the major charges was that the system had failed to keep pace with current trends in music. Professor Malden said he was not advocating that New Zealand should accept the board “blindly as an act of faith.” Australia and Canada had established internal examinations, but before New Zealand attempted to do so there had to be an assured supply of examiners of a calibre to command the necessary confidence and respect. "It may prove that we do now have enough people of the right calibre but we cannot be assured of a constant supply of such people,” he said.

The British system also offered impartiality. An internal one could not escape creating “wounded pride, insulted mothers and a whole series of unpleasantries,” said Professor Maiden.