Music Unit 3 & 4
Prerequisites
Satisfactory completion of Music Performance Units 1 and 2. Alternatively, before enrolling, students need to demonstrate that they have a successful history of music performance and practice, a solid grounding in music theory and aural comprehension skills. It is recommended that students have achieved a Grade 6 AMEB or Trinity grade level (minimum) and a pass in Grade 4 Theory of Music before enrolling in this subject.
Course Description
This subject is for students who wish to develop their music performance skills as a part of their VCE program. This unit prepares students to present convincing performances of group and solo works. Students select a program of group and solo works representing a range of styles and diversity of character for performance. They develop instrumental techniques that enable them to interpret the works and expressively shape their performances. They also develop an understanding of performance conventions they can use to enhance their performances. Students develop skills in aural perception and comprehension, transcription, music theory and analysis.
Essential Questions
- What are the differences in my role as a soloist as compared with a member of a group?
- What technical work will best help me strengthen my weaknesses in playing or singing?
- What is the widest range of styles and characters in music I can perform to show my versatility as a performer?
- How can I improve my skills to recognise, write about and transcribe music previously unheard?
Option 1
Units 3 and 4: Music contemporary performance
This study offers pathway for students who performance practice included embellishment and/or improvisation, uses collaborative and aural practices in learning, often takes recordings as a primary text and projects a personal voice.
Students may present with any instrument or combination of instruments which will be suitable to convey understanding of the key knowledge and application of key skills for Outcome 1, with styles including (but not limited to) rock, pop, jazz. EDM, country, funk and R&B.
Students prepare a program for assessment in a live performance. They may be assessed as primarily a member of a group or as a solo performer. All performance must include at least one ensemble work with another live musician and an original work created by an Australian artist since 1990. All performances must include a personally reimagined version of an existing work. Original works may also be included in the program.
Across Units 3 and 4 all students select works of their own choice for performance that allow them to meet examination requirements and conditions as described in the performance examination specifications.
Unit 3
Area of Study 1: Performing
Outcome 1: On completion of this unit the student should be able to perform a selection of works being prepared for the performance examination, demonstrating an understanding of music style, authentic performance conventions and a range of techniques, using a Performer’s Statemen of Intent to explain their choice of work for the program.
Area of Study 2: Analysing for performance
Outcome 2: on completion of this unit the student should be able to demonstrate and discuss performance development techniques and approaches relevant to performance of selected works and an intended approach to reimagining existing work.
Area of Study 3: Responding
Outcome 3: on completion of this unit the students should be able to discuss a performer’s interpretation and manipulation of music elements and concepts in works, and identify, recreate and notate music language concepts from examples presented, both in context and in isolation.
Assessment:
(School assessed course work – 20% to the study score)
Outcome 1: Written/oral task explaining process for selection of performance program (10 marks)
Outcome 2: Preparing for Performance: technical and expressive exercises and discussion (30 marks)
Outcome 3: Written assessment – structured responses (20 marks), practical demonstration of music language, knowledge and skills (20 marks).
Unit 4
Area of Study 1: Performing
Outcome 1: on completion of this unit the student should be able to perform a programme of works, including one work demonstrating a creative reimagining of an existing work, relevant to their performer’s Statement of Intention.
Area of Study 2: Analysing for performance
Outcome 2: on completion of this unit students should be able to demonstrate and discuss performance development techniques and reimagining approaches relevant to performance of selected works.
Area of Study 3: Responding
Outcome 3: on completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss a performer’s interpretation and manipulation of music elements and concepts in works, identifying and transcribing shore examples of music using appropriate notation.
Assessment:
Outcome 1: End of year performance exam (50% to the study score)
Outcome 2: Discussion of materials designed to assist in the recreation of notated recital works (15 marks) plus a demonstration of an approach to reimagining of and existing work (5 marks) (10% to study score)
Outcome 3: End of year aural and written examination (20% to the study score).
Option 2
Units 3 and 4: Music repertoire performance
This study is designed for students whose musical interests are grounded in the recreation and interpretation of notated musical works, and who wish to gain and share knowledge of musical styles and performance practices.
Students may present on any instrument for which there is an established repertoire of notated works.
The works selected for assessment must have sufficient range to convey understanding of the key knowledge and application of the key skills for Outcome 1. Music styles in this study may include, (but are not limited to) early music, baroque, classical, romantic, 20th and 21st century art music styles, musical theatre, and classical musics outside the Western tradition.
The recital programme for final assessment will be 20 minutes in length. Students may present primarily as a soloist or as an ensemble musician. However, students must present at least one ensemble work (that is, a performance with at least one other live musician) as part of their final program and include at least one work created since 1990 by an Australian composer.
Programs may also consist entirely of ensemble works, with one or more students being assessed.
One work in the final program must be selected from the separately published Prescibed List.
Unit 3
Area of Study 1: Performing
Outcome 1: on completion of this unit the students should be able to explain the artistic and practical consideration used to select a program of works for performance, and demonstrate a diverse range of techniques and expressive qualities through performance of works or sections of works including one work from the prescribed list intended for their final recital program and at least one ensemble work.
Area of Study 2: Analysing for Performance
Outcome 2: on completion of this unit the students should be able to demonstrate and discuss techniques related to performance of selected works, including aspects of interpretation.
Area of Study 3: Responding
Outcome 3: on completion of this unit the students should be able to discuss the interpretation of expressive elements of music, and identify, recreate, notate and transcribe short excerpts of music using voice or instrument.
Unit 4
Area of Study 1: Performing
Outcome 1: on completion of this unit the student should be able to perform a final recital of up to 20 minutes duration, demonstrating a diverse range of techniques and expressive qualities reflecting and understanding of a range of music styles and performance conventions.
Area of Study 2: Analysing for Performance
Outcome 2: on completion of this unit the students should be able to demonstrate and discuss techniques (technical and expressive) relevant to the performance and development of a personal interpretation of works selected for performance.
Area of Study 3: Responding
Outcome 3: on completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss the interpretation of expressive elements of music in pre-recorded works and develop their auditory discrimination and memory skills through identifying re-creating and notating short examples.
