MUS2

Music Studies Level 2

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Dr N. Voice.

Music Studies 201

Students will study:

  • Instrumental Performance (Solo, Second Instrument and Group) 
  • Composition
  • Music Theory, Musical Concepts and Musical Analysis
  • Music Research
  • Music Technology

Students can choose from the list of topics and assessments. Students can expect to complete a 16-20 credit course. 



Course Overview

Term 1
Students select, in conjunction with the HOD Music, the standards they wish to attempt for the year.
Students will be given guidance regarding topic choices and the research/investigative process. They will also be guided with regard to the requirements relating to formal report writing. They will commence their research process and work towards completion of a formal report by the end of the term. This will complete the compulsory standard.
Students who opt to attempt the internally assessed Composition standard will attend lessons and masterclasses that explain the fundamentals of composition and provide them with a range of strategies and tools for composing.
Students who opt to attempt the internally assessed Practical Performance standards will commence, for the year, weekly instrumental/singing lessons, either at school or in the community. Regular independent practice, at school and at home, is an expectation.
Students who opt to attempt the externally assessed Music Theory/ Musical Concepts and/or Musical Analysis standard(s) will commence tuition.

Term 2
Students who opt to attempt the internally assessed Composition standard will work independently on building their composing skills through the use of instruments such as guitar/ukulele/piano/keyboard, as well as through digital technologies such as Sibelius, Garage Band and/or Logic Pro. This process will be supplemented by revisiting composition basics, tools and strategies in both individual and group contexts.
Students who opt to attempt the internally assessed Practical Performance standards will continue weekly instrumental/singing lessons. Students will liaise with their instrumental/singing teachers and identify pieces to prepare for the assessments in Term 3.
Students who opt to attempt the externally assessed Music Theory/ Musical Concepts and/or Musical Analysis standard(s) will continue to develop relevant understandings.

Term 3
Students who opt to attempt the internally assessed Composition standard will work independently on building their composing skills. Students will start working on their portfolio of compositions for submission early in Term 4.
Students who opt to attempt the internally assessed Practical Performance standards will continue weekly instrumental/singing lessons. Students will be given an opportunity to participate in Formative Assessments early in the term. They will then be given the opportunity of presenting solo and/or group performances for Summative (final) Assessments in week 5 or 6 of the term.
Students who opt to attempt the externally assessed Music Theory/ Musical Concepts and/or Musical Analysis standard(s) will continue to develop relevant understandings and a process of revision will lead to a formal Derived Grade examination at the end of the term.

Term 4
Students who opt to attempt the internally assessed Composition standard will complete their composition portfolios and prepare audio and written versions for submission by the end of the second week of the term.
Students who opt to attempt the externally assessed Music Theory/ Musical Concepts and/or Musical Analysis standard(s) will engage in an intensive revision process in preparation for the examination.

Recommended Prior Learning

Should already have been learning an instrument of choice for at least 3 years. Students who wish to attempt the externally assessed Musical Analysis and/or Music Theory/ Musical Concepts examination(s) must have successfully completed the Level 1 examination or been studying music theory with an instrumental teacher for a minimum of three years, in which case entry must be with the approval of the HOD Music.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

Workbooks $20.

$20 (trips are optional).

Pathway

This course could lead to career pathways such as in the Popular Music Industry (musicians, band members, singer-songwriters, sound/audio and recording engineers); Film Music and Musical Theater (composers, conductors, instrumentalists, singers, arrangers); Education (primary and secondary school music teachers, public and private instrumental teachers, tertiary lecturers and researchers, musicologists); Media and Communication (radio/television announcers, producers, production assistants), Classical Music (composers, conductors, chamber musicians, orchestral musicians, solo and concert career performers).

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

Total Credits Available: 44
Internal Assessed Credits: 30
External Assessed Credits: 14
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
U.S. 32303 v1
NZQA Info

Apply knowledge of a music notation application


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91270 v2
NZQA Info

Making Music 2.1 - Perform two substantial pieces of music as a featured soloist


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 6
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91271 v2
NZQA Info

Making Music 2.4 - Compose two substantial pieces of music


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 6
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91272 v2
NZQA Info

Making Music 2.3 - Demonstrate ensemble skills by performing a substantial piece of music as a member of a group


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91273 v2
NZQA Info

Music Studies 2.8 - Devise an instrumentation for an ensemble


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91274 v2
NZQA Info

Making Music 2.2 - Perform a substantial piece of music as a featured soloist on a second instrument


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91275 v3
NZQA Info

Making Music 2.5 - Demonstrate aural understanding through written representation


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91276 v3
NZQA Info

Music Studies 2.6 - Demonstrate knowledge of conventions in a range of music scores


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91277 v3
NZQA Info

Music Studies 2.7 - Demonstrate understanding of two substantial and contrasting music works


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 6
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 6w
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91278 v2
NZQA Info

Music Studies 2.9 - Investigate an aspect of New Zealand music


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 44
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 6
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Disclaimer

Courses outlined will only be available if sufficient students wish to take them AND appropriate staff are available to teach them.

Courses that do not run may be offered through distance learning and be supported by the Distance Learning Department.