Local Centre Examinations in Music

The Mount Allison Local Centre Examinations were established in 1911 by Dr. James Noel Brunton as a service to local piano teachers and their students. Besides Dr. Brunton, past Directors of the Local Centre Examinations have included Professors Harold Hamer, Howard Brown, Carleton Elliott, Dr. Edmund Dawe and Dr. Gary Tucker. The current Director is Dr. Stephen Runge. Our Examinations Coordinator is Mrs. Margaret Ann Craig.

Each year in early summer, we administer approximately 350 exams in about twenty centres throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Our examinations are mostly given in piano, though we currently also administer a small number in voice.  The teachers who use our service appreciate the professionalism and friendliness of our examiners and the reasonable cost of the examinations. We allot sufficient time for each candidate to perform all of the prepared repertoire and studies, with ample time for thorough technical tests without shortchanging the essentials of aural skills, rudiments, and sight reading. We usually return examination results and comments to teachers within a week or two. Prompt results ensure that the examinations are an effective pedagogical tool and an excellent way for teachers to conclude the year with their students.

In 1995 we began to award medals to students who obtain the highest provincial marks in their grades. We invite all medal winners to perform in a special Celebration of Talent concert held a few weeks after the end of examinations.

Mount Allison's Local Centre Examinations continue to be a vital part of our outreach in helping teachers encourage high standards of musicianship in their students.  

For further information about Local Centre Examinations, please contact us at 

      Mount Allison Local Centre Examinations
      Department of Music, Mount Allison University
      134 Main Street
      Sackville, NB E4L 1A6
      tel: (506) 364–2374
      fax: (506) 364-2376
      e-mail: localcentre@mta.ca 

2006 Piano Syllabus, Revised Edition

We are pleased to announce that the revised edition of our 2006 Piano Syllabus, which incorporates the addendum of August 2009, is now available on-line.  The modifications to the 2006 syllabus are effective immediately, and will be in place for the 2010 examinations and beyond.

Syllabus (PDF)

To order a paper copy of the revised 2006 syllabus, send a cheque or money order for $10.00, payable to "Mount Allison University," to the address above.

Local Centre 2013 Entry Form (PDF)