Level: Stage 2

Learning Area: Arts

Duration: Full Year

Pre requisite: Students must have competed Stage 1 Music (Full Year)

Additional Cost: Any resources that may be required for instrumental music lessons eg. books, sheet music, instrument hire (if applicable)

Further Enquiries:

Students can complete up to 40 credits of Stage 2 Music

  • 2MSI20 Music Studies (20 Credits)
  • 2MEX20 Music Exploration (20 Credits)
  • 2MSO10 Music Performance – Solo (10 Credits)
  • 2MFC10 Music Performance – Ensemble (10 Credits)

MUSIC STUDIES (20 Credits)

Who Is This Course For?

Students with advanced theory, aural and performance skills. This course (together with Music Performance – Solo) covers the prerequisite knowledge for entry into tertiary music study (eg. Bachelor of Music – Performance).

What Will I Learn?

This subject consists of the following strands:

  • Understanding Music
  • Creating Music
  • Responding to Music

Students develop an understanding of the elements of music and apply this understanding to create their own music as performances, arrangements or compositions. They develop their musical literacy through responding to and reflecting on their own and others musical works.

How will I be assessed?

This subject consists of the following Assessment Types:

Assessment Type 1: Creative Works (40%)

A set of performances or arrangements (10-12 minutes) or compositions (5-6 minutes) and creator’s statement (750 words)

Assessment Type 2: Musical Literacy 3 tasks (30%)

One task must be a composition or arrangement (2 minutes)

Task 2 and 3 could be: Comparative analysis (2 or more works), Analysis (1 or more work), composition, arrangement or harmonisation of an existing melody, Theory and aural tasks.

Assessment Type 3: Examination (30%)

Students complete a 130-minute examination in which they apply their knowledge and understanding of musical elements and their musicianship skills in creative and innovative ways to:

  • Deconstruct, analyse, and interpret musical works
  • Manipulate musical elements
  • Synthesise and express musical literacy and musical ideas

Students with advanced theory, aural and performance skills. This course (together with Music Performance – Solo) covers the prerequisite knowledge for entry into tertiary music study (eg. Bachelor of Music – Performance).

MUSIC EXPLORATIONS (20 Credits)

Who Is This Course For?

Students with a keen interest in creating music through composition, recording or performance. Students will have the opportunity to deeply explore an artist, genre or instrument and produce work that connects their learning throughout the subject together.

What Will I Learn?

This subject consists of the following strands:

  • Understanding Music
  • Creating Music
  • Responding to Music

Students develop an understanding of the elements of music and apply this understanding to create their own music as performances, arrangements or compositions. They develop their musical literacy through responding to and reflecting on their own and others musical works.

How will I be assessed?

This subject consists of the following Assessment Types:

Assessment Type 1: Musical Literacy (30%)

One task must be an original melody with chords (32-48 bars) and composer’s statement

Task 2 and 3 could be: Comparative Analysis (2 or more works), Analysis (1 or more work), Composition, Arrangement, Live performance review, Theory and aural tasks.

Assessment Type 2: Explorations (40%)

A set of short performances (8-10 minutes) or compositions (5-6 minutes)

A commentary on the process of exploration and experimentation they have used and their key findings (1000 words)

Assessment Type 3: Creative Connections (30%)

One creative work that is a synthesis of the student’s learning in this subject either a performance (6-8 minutes) or composition/arrangement (3-4 minutes)

A discussion in oral/multimodal form (7 minutes)

MUSIC PERFORMANCE – SOLO (10 Credits)

Who Is This Course For?

Students with a passion for performing as a soloist (with accompaniment). Students wanting to pursue tertiary music study are strongly advised to complete this subject (and Music Studies) in preparation for the entry interview and audition.

What Will I Learn?

This subject consists of the following strands:

  • Understanding Music
  • Creating Music
  • Responding to Music

Students develop an understanding of the elements of music and apply this understanding to create their own music as performances, arrangements or compositions. They develop their musical literacy through responding to and reflecting on their own and others musical works.

How will I be assessed?

This course is assessed through the following assessment types:

Assessment Type 1: Performance (30%)

Students present a solo performance, or set of performances, of a single work or a set of works by one or more composers (6-8 minutes)

Assessment Type 2: Performance and Discussion (40%)

Students present:

  • A solo performance, or set of performances, of a single work or a set of works by one or more composers (6-8 minutes)
  • A discussion of key musical elements of the chosen repertoire, with a critique of strategies to improve and refine the student’s performance (800 words)

Assessment Type 3: Performance Portfolio

Students present a solo performance portfolio consisting of:

  • A solo performance, or set of performances, of a musical work or works (6-8 minutes)
  • An evaluation of their learning journey (500 words)

MUSIC PERFORMANCE – ENSEMBLE (10 Credits)

Who Is This Course For?

Students with a passion for performing in an Ensemble.

What Will I Learn?

This subject consists of the following strands:

  • Understanding Music
  • Creating Music
  • Responding to Music

Students develop an understanding of the elements of music and apply this understanding to create their own music as performances, arrangements or compositions. They develop their musical literacy through responding to and reflecting on their own and others musical works.

How will I be assessed?

This course is assessed through the following assessment types:

Assessment Type 1: Performance (30%)

Students present an ensemble performance, or set of performances of a single work or a set of works by one or more composers, and individual evidence of each student’s contribution to the chosen ensemble through individual part-testing (6-8 minutes)

Assessment Type 2: Performance and Discussion (40%)

Students present:

  • An ensemble performance, or set of performances of a single work or a set of works by one or more composers, and individual evidence of each student’s contribution to the chosen ensemble through individual part-testing (6-8 minutes)
  • An individual discussion of key musical elements of the repertoire, with a critique of strategies to improve and refine each student’s performance (800 words)

Assessment Type 3: Performance Portfolio

Students present an ensemble performance portfolio consisting of:

  • An ensemble performance, or set of performances of a musical work or works, and individual evidence of each student’s contribution to the ensemble through individual part-testing (6-8 minutes)
  • An individual evaluation of their learning journey (500 words)