Three Sections

The Australian Guild of Music and Speech Education System can be broadly divided into three sections:

• Public Examinations for music and speech/drama students from introductory to advanced
• Certificate 1 to III for music industry employment
• Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma for professional musicians, music teachers and degree preparation.
• Bachelor of Music for professional musicians and music teachers.

The public examinations are administered by The Australian Guild of Music and Speech Inc (AGMS). These examinations cover practical music, music performance, music theory, practical speech and drama, speech and drama theory, oral communication, spoken language development and choric speaking. The printed syllabi for each type of examination, together with a wide-ranging series of publications forms a comprehensive instructional system to aid teachers in developing the skills of their students. The examinations provide recognition for the student’s work and teacher recognition is achieved through membership of the Guild Teachers Society.

Distance Education courses in music include Certificate I - IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and the Bachelor Degree are provided by the Australian Guild of Music Education Inc (AGM:ED), which is a Registered Training Organisation approved to deliver these courses by distance education or by attendance at the faculty at Kooyong (Melbourne, Victoria) . All the courses are on the National Register. DVD's and VCD's of tutorial centre sessions are dispatched directly to remote students together with additional pre-recorded tapes.

Bachelor of Music degree course is conducted by the AGM:ED, and the degree is awarded by the Guild a private provider accredited by Higher Education in the state of Victoria.  DVD's and VCD recordings of each lecture delivered at the Guild faculty are available to distance education students and are dispatched directly to remote area students along with pre-recorded instructional tapes upon request. 

The Guild has many tutors available in a range of areas and a list is available to registered students. 

Download

Download a PDF booklet outlining what the guild can offer you.

Gordon Blake, Founder of the Guild

GUILD AGMS. AGM:ED. Emblem - Logo

What does it mean?

It was adopted as the official logo in 1969. The design reflects the English origin of the public music examination system which commenced in that country in the 19th century. During the last three decades of that period, the system was introduced into Australia.

The overall Heraldic design of the Shield is intentionally symbolic of the pomp, ceremony and ignorance of the Middle and subsequent Ages. The small symbol in the top left hand corner of the Cross of St. George is a Wizard's Hat, symbolizing control of witchcraft. Overall, the Cross of St George divides the whole Shield into four symbolic sections, which, from left to right are:-

• Southern Cross. (Australia)
• The Harp. - Universal Music.
• Cross of St.George. - Chivalry. Honour.
• Speech, Drama and the Arts. - Theatre.

The motto at the bottom of the Shield is Concordia et Fidelitus which signifies Harmony and Fidelity. It is upon these concepts that the Guild has been built.

Associations

The Guild Diploma courses articulate into degree courses at a number of Australian universities.

Directors and continuing developers of the Guild.

Prof Diana Davis Head of Performing Arts JCU and three senior staff members from James Cook University stand with Associate Professor Ivan Holmes, Dr Ern Knoop & Jeff Wood from the Guild.