Music units 1 & 2

MUSIC PERFORMANCE

long engagement with music and music making.  Music performance involves synthesis of knowledge of the music work/s being performed including their structure, style and context and their expressive qualities. Performance also requires the use of an instrument to interpret and realise the work, and knowledge and understanding of how to use an instrument/s to produce and manipulate sound. Performers use musicianship skills along with instrumental techniques to present musically engaging performances.
Through research and analysis of performances by leading practitioners, students become aware of ways that performance conventions, musical nuance and effective communication between performers and audience can facilitate engaging, exciting and meaningful performances. Students expand their musical vocabulary and develop language to articulate their awareness and understanding of the impact that interpretative decisions have on the music they perform, listen to and analyse.

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.

AREA OF STUDY

1: Performance
2: Preparing for Performance
3: Music Language

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.

AREA OF STUDY

1: Performance
2: Preparing for Performance
3: Music Language
4: Creative Organisation of Sound

ASSESSMENT

• Group and solo performances
• Performance and discussion of self-written exercises in exam setting
• Music theory & aural skills questions
• Analysis of previously unheard music