This week I learned that nearly 60 of my original piano compositions have been included in the Australian Guild of Music & Speech examination board’s new 2026 piano exam syllabus. For a composer, it’s always a delight to hear that one’s music has been included in any publication, but for it to be featured in an exam board syllabus is especially sweet because it’s where students and their teachers can all enjoy using and playing it, and for an educational writer, that is a most exciting outcome.

Established in 1969, the Australian Guild of Music & Speech (AGMS) is an Australian body offering graded exams in over 30 musical instruments, voice and speech/drama disciplines, focusing on student development with syllabi from beginner to diploma levels, and providing flexible exam formats (in-person, online, and recorded). Their approach is student-centric, emphasising positive experiences, and their core syllabi cover diverse musical styles, technical skills (aural, sight-reading), and public speaking.

Based in Queensland, Australia, the AGMS has a wide global reach, offering exams both nationally and internationally, including in regions such as in the Middle and Far East. AGMS studies are recognised by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) as eligible for credit towards the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). The Guild is also the publisher of Piano Odyssey, a series of popular pedagogical repertoire books, and it additionally sponsors numerous domestic pedagogical associations and conferences, such as the Queensland Music Teachers’ Association.

The piano syllabus is fairly comprehensive with three options: Classical, Light Classical and Contemporary. Each syllabus starts with three preliminary exams (akin to the ABRSM Initial exam or the three Preparatory syllabuses offered by the London College of Music) through to Grade 1 – 8, followed by four progressive diplomas, in a similar manner to the UK exam boards.

My compositions start appearing in the preliminary exam Step 3 and from there onward are included in all the exam grades on the Light Classical syllabus up to the Licentiate piano diploma level. Works included in the Classical and Contemporary syllabuses also start at the preliminary exam, Step 3, moving to Grade 3 level.

The selected pieces are drawn from a variety of my publications: works featured in earlier grades come from Ghostly Piano Tales (Schott) and Lucky Charms (80 Days Publishing), with pieces from Grades 3 – 7 coming from No Words Necessary (Schott). Grade 8 and Diploma inclusions are taken from my Simply Driven (Schott) collection. Click on each book’s image in this article to find out more about these publications.

You can hear all my pieces selected for this syllabus by following the link below to my YouTube channel, where you will find playlists for each book:

If you would like to find out more about the AGMS, or you fancy downloading their piano syllabus, you can do so by clicking the link below:

Top Image: Australian Guild of Music and Speech