Unit 1

This unit focuses on building students’ performance and musicianship skills to present performances of selected group and solo music works using one or more instruments. They study the work of other performers and explore strategies to optimise their own approach to performance. They identify technical, expressive and stylistic challenges relevant to works they are preparing for performance and endeavour to address these challenges. Students develop their listening, aural, theoretical and analytical musicianship skills and apply this knowledge when preparing and presenting performances.

Areas of study

• Performance

• Preparing for Performance

• Music Language

There are three outcomes:

• Prepare and perform a program of group and solo works.

• Demonstrate and discuss techniques relevant to the performance of selected works.

• Identify, re-create, extend and notate music language components and short phrases, and describe ways elements of music may be interpreted.

Assessment tasks for this unit are:

• Performance/s of at least three works including at least one group work and one solo work with accompaniment, as appropriate. The duration of the performances will vary depending on the works selected.

• A demonstration of material chosen to address challenges in performance of works prepared for Outcome 1, for example an assessment task that includes a test or other performance context.

• An explanation of how selected material supports the student’s development as an instrumentalist and their preparation of works performed for Outcome 1.

• Aural, written and practical tasks.

Unit 2

This unit focuses on building performance and musicianship skills. Students present performances of selected group and solo music works using one or more instruments and take opportunities to perform in familiar and unfamiliar venues and spaces. They study the work of other performers and refine selected strategies to optimise their own approach to performance. They identify technical, expressive and stylistic challenges relevant to works they are preparing for performance and endeavour to address these challenges. Students develop their listening, aural, theoretical and analytical musicianship skills and apply this knowledge when preparing and presenting performances.

Areas of Study

• Performance

• Preparing for Performance

• Music Language

There are three outcomes:

• Prepare and perform a program of group and solo works.

• Demonstrate and discuss techniques relevant to performance of selected works.

• Re-create, extend and notate music language components and short phrases, and describe ways elements of music may be interpreted.

Assessment tasks for this unit are:

• Performances of at least three works, including at least one group work and one solo work with accompaniment as appropriate; the duration of the performances will vary depending on the works selected.

• A demonstration of material chosen to address challenges in performance of works prepared for Outcome 1, for example an assessment task that includes a test or other performance context.

• An explanation of how selected material supports the student’s development as an instrumentalist and their preparation of works performed for Outcome 1.

• Aural, written and practical tasks.

Unit 3

This unit focuses on building and refining performance and musicianship skills. Students focus on either group or solo performance and begin preparation of a performance program they will present in the end-of-year examination. As part of their preparation, students will also present performances of both group and solo music works using one or more instruments and take opportunities to perform in familiar and unfamiliar venues and spaces. They study the work of other performers and refine selected strategies to optimise their own approach to performance. They identify technical, expressive and stylistic challenges relevant to works they are preparing for performance and endeavour to address these challenges. Students develop their listening, aural, theoretical and analytical musicianship skills and apply this knowledge when preparing and presenting performances.

Areas of study

• Performance

• Preparing for Performance

• Music Language

There are three outcomes:

• Prepare and perform a program of group and solo works, and demonstrate a diverse range of techniques and expressive qualities and an understanding of a wide range of music styles and performance conventions.

• Demonstrate and discuss techniques relevant to performance of selected works.

• Identify, re-create, notate and transcribe short excerpts of music, and discuss the interpretation of expressive elements of music in pre-recorded works.

Assessment tasks for this unit are:

• A demonstration of material selected to assist with development of general instrumental technique and preparation of works selected for Outcome 1 including exercise/s created by the student. A discussion of how the selected material is supporting the student’s development as an instrumentalist and their preparation of works for Outcome 1.

• A test that includes aural, theory, written and practical components.

Unit 4

This unit focuses on further development and refinement of performance and musicianship skills. Students focus on either group or solo performance and continue preparation of a performance program they will present in the end-of-year examination. All students present performances of both group and solo music works using one or more instruments and take opportunities to perform in familiar and unfamiliar venues and spaces. Through analyses of other performers’ interpretations and feedback on their own performances, students refine their interpretations and optimise their approach to performance. They continue to address challenges relevant to works they are preparing for performance and to strengthen their listening, aural, theoretical and analytical musicianship skills.

Areas of study

• Performance

• Preparing for Performance

• Music Language

There are three outcomes:

• Prepare and perform informed interpretations in a program of group and solo works, and demonstrate a diverse range of techniques, expressive qualities and understanding of a wide range of music styles and performance conventions.

• Demonstrate and discuss techniques relevant to refining the performance of selected works.

• Identify, re-create, notate and transcribe short excerpts of music, and discuss the interpretation of expressive elements of music in pre-recorded works.

Assessment tasks for this unit are:

• A demonstration of material selected to assist with development of general instrumental technique and preparation and presentation of works selected for Outcome 1, including exercise/s created by the student. A discussion of how the selected material is supporting the student’s development as an instrumentalist and their preparation of works for Outcome 1.

• The level of achievement for Units 3 and 4 is also assessed by an end-of-year performance examination that contributes 50 per cent, and an end-of-year aural and written examination that contributes 20 per cent.