Australian Church Music Associations

In Australia there are many Church music associations, few of which are uniquely Australian. Most Church music associations in Australia are associated with an overseas governing body.

The RSCM (Royal School of Church Music, UK) has active State branches in Australia, and has opened its previously exclusively Anglican membership to Church musicians from other traditions. It conducts the graded Voice for Life Church music examinations for choristers, and provides local workshops for Church musicians in all Australian States.

The ecumenical Australian Pastoral Musicians Network was recently formed to encourage dialogue between the Australian Churches and their clergy on Church music issues. APMN has been very active in organising conferences for Australian composers, musicians and organisers of Church music, focusing on the Broken Bay and Wollongong Dioceses. Composer Paul Mason conducts training courses for Catholic Cantors. Organist Justin Ankus is the APMN President. On October 13 2012 the APMN held its Annual General Meeting at the Rheinberger Centre in Canberra ACT.

The ecumenical Guild of Church Musicians (UK), an association for parish based musicians, is based in England, but has an Australian branch.

Hillsong Church is not only a local Church, it is an international business that offers many opportunities to Church musicians, and is proactive in training and promoting Church women for music ministry. See the Hillsong website for more information http://hillsong.com/