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New VCE Music Contemporary Performance Units 3 & 4
A subject catering for students with interests and skills in contemporary music performance styles. Is offered as an accelerated Year 11 VCE Music Study &/or a Year 12 subject. Is a subject in which students choose a performance program of contemporary music, they research, rehearse and perform the music from their selected program. There is an end-of-year performance exam and written exam. This subject should be undertaken following completion of Units 1 & 2 Music. Contemporary Performance Units 3 & 4 may lead to another Unit 3/4 music study, provide opportunity for students to develop their musical skills and knowledge alongside their other pathways and/or assist with preparation for tertiary music study.
Responding 40 Marks
Analysing for performance 30 marks
Performing 10 marks
Unit 3 SAC work 20%
Students select a program of contemporary music to perform at the end of year examination. This exam may be performed as a soloists or an ensemble and is 20 min in length for solo performance, or up to 35min for 5 or 6 assessed performers. One of the performed works is to be a ‘reimagining’ of an existing work (a work performed by another artist but performed in your own creative style) and a work created by an Australian artist since 1990. Students are supported by their instrumental teacher in their weekly music lesson and maintain a Music Performance Journal to record their learning/practice/work set for practice/reflection and observations. Students perform often throughout Units 3 & 4, this may include concert classes, community performances, competitions & festivals. In Unit 3 students formulate a Performers Statement of Intent explaining their selection of performance pieces & approach for reimagining an existing work. They learn, practice, interpret and rehearse their program. For assessment in Unit 3 they perform a selection from their program. Students analyse their performance pieces in order to inform their performance. They describe the use of music elements, concepts & compositional devices and evaluate ways in which an existing work might be reimagined. They experiment with a range of interpretations and approaches to their works.
Students also research, plan & implement approaches to developing rehearsal/presentation strategies to overcome challenges. They reflect on feedback, evaluate effectiveness of approaches and identify issues for further development in their Music Performance Journal.
Students listen to contemporary music extensively and compile a listening journal examining a broad range of contemporary styles. They respond and discuss similarities and differences, musical elements, performance techniques and compositional devices. Students develop their music theory and aural skills and learn to identify/construct intervals, scales, modes, melodies, chords and rhythms.
Students continue to analyse their performance pieces in order to inform their performance. They describe the use of music elements, concepts and compositional devices in their pieces, they demonstrate and discuss interpretation decisions and their approach to reimagining an existing work. Students continue to compile their Music Performance Journal and in doing so reflect on performance feedback, evaluate effectiveness of approaches and identify issues for further development. They implement identified approaches to maximise the impact of their performance presentation. While referring to their Music Performance Journal as evidence they demonstrate and discuss instrumental, presentation techniques relevant to the performance of their pieces.
Responding EOY Exam
Performing End of Year Perf Exam 50%
SAC work 10 %, End of Year Written Exam 20% & Performance Exam 50%
Students continue to prepare their contemporary performance program for their end of year exam. They complete their performer’s Statement of Intention and present a program of solo & ensemble works that demonstrates a range of styles & character including their ‘personal creative voice’ through a reimagining of an existing work. For assessment in Unit 4 they perform selections from their performance program and demonstrate control and variation of: duration, tone production & ensemble skills, interpretation to demonstrate an understanding of style.
Analysing for performance 20 marks (SAC)
Unit 4
Students continue to listen to contemporary music styles and compile responses in their listening journal. They respond and discuss similarities and differences, musical elements, performance techniques and compositional devices. Students develop their music theory and aural skills and learn to identify/construct intervals, scales, modes, melodies, chords and rhythms.