Toward the end of the nineteenth century a number of external music examining systems were introduced to New Zealand. Two of them, Trinity College, London, and the Associated Board, gained a strong following and became de facto standards in the absence of a national music conservatorium. This article briefly outlines the beginning of external exams in England and follows their export to various overseas members of the British Empire. Graded music exams as a form of tuition engendered considerable debate as to efficacy, merit, and overall validity. Trinity College arrived first in New Zealand, in 1888, followed by the Associated Board in 1897, and their rapid assumption in the southern city of Dunedin is documented and used as a case study of their progress up until 1916. There is a background discussion on the growth and use of post-nominal letters in the local music teaching profession, and the increasing use of formal qualifications by music teachers is noted. These included the professional diplomas from both schools, and the role they played in the formation of a local professional body is explored.

到19世纪末，许多外部音乐检查系统引入了新西兰。他们中的两个，伦敦三一学院和联合委员会，在没有国家音乐学院的情况下获得了强大的追随者，并成为事实上的标准。本文简要概述了英格兰的外部考试的开始，并跟踪了它们向大英帝国的各个海外成员的出口情况。分级音乐考试作为一种学费形式，引起了关于功效，功绩和整体有效性的大量争论。三一学院于1888年首先到达新西兰，随后于1897年进入联合委员会，并记录了他们在南部城市但尼丁的迅速假设，并将其用作案例研究直到1916年。关于本地音乐教学专业中名词后字母的增长和使用的背景讨论，并且注意到音乐教师对正式资格的使用越来越多。其中包括两所学校的专业文凭，并探讨了它们在组建当地专业团体中所发挥的作用。