Riccarton High School
This course requires 2 options.
Level 1 Music
Although next year timetables are yet to be finalised, course selection is now finished. Any changes to student courses will now take place in January.
Subject Description
Teacher in Charge: Ms A. Plummer.
Chosing Music is a great option if you already play an instrument or sing well. It significantly builds skills in both solo and group performance, allowing you to gain credits for doing something you love. Voice is also an instrument and we particularly encourage singers to take music, as all 3 components can be achieved at excellence level with using just your voice. Music will also satisfy your creative streak. So if you consider yourself a bit of a song writer, you are in the right place.We study composition techniques to assist you with the basics and you then develop your own ideas and explore your own musical tastes to create your own music. Most students will do this using computer software or recording live. Compositions can also be done collaboratively. It is recommended that students should have at least 1 year of learning an instrument or voice either through the school's itinerant lessons, or privately with an outside teacher. This is because you will have to be able to perform with confidence in front of an audience such as a small group of friends, the whole class or for a wider audience like a school concert. This performance gets filmed. We also do some theory skills to assist with composition and some aural skills to assist with learning new repertoire. You do not need to be able to read music to take this subject but you will need a positive attitude and be able to work collaboratively.
SOLO performance is where you perform a short piece of music on your instrument. This can have a backing track playing in the background, or someone else might be required to accompany, usually on the guitar or piano. There are plenty of chances to practise in front of the class or a smaller audience if you prefer. The level of performance required for L1 is in the region of Grade 3. Some of you that have been playing since year 9 or before will be at that level or higher. It is important to note that every individual performance is marked on musicality and technical ability. Although there is a benchmark, we assess this component holistically.
Listen to "A change is gonna come" performed by Samuela 2016
Here is another solo performance by Cailin, to give you an idea what is involved.
It's not all about performing. We study songs form a range of genres to assist you with your own creative work. You can use music technology to create and record your ideas. Composition occurs throughout the year and we submit your best work as a portfolio which goes off for external moderation.
Theory and Aural skills are assessed as a practical performance of a playback (listen and catch) or as a beats recreation exercise.
Subject Overview
Term 1
Repertoire for performance whether it is as a soloist or part of a group is selected. You will work on specific pieces of music through consultation with the teacher, to check for difficulty level. Singers will need to know their vocal range but advice will be given with regards to which songs are most suitable and why. Basic aural skills are introduced, and non-music readers will start to learn this essential part of the course.
Listen and Catch learning repertoire is available to practise and we also styart the beats recreation task.
Musical elements and features listening samples are introduced.
Term 2
The Solo / Group Performance exam will take place in the Musical Extravaganza.
We continue to work on musical elements and features of a particular context and focus on composition skills to help with the more academic understanding of musical analysis.
Students who read music fluently are extended through theory sessions to suit their level of understanding.
Term 3
We study a second Music Work which will come from Tāngata Whenua. You will learn characteristic features of a range of Waiata Māori and identify how these can be incorporated into a range of genres.
The Listen and catch / beates recreation tasks are completed and composition is also completed for external assessment.
Term 4
Rounding off anything that needs to be completed.
Recommended Prior Learning
Students must play an instrument or sing with confidence to do this course. Involvement with Performance Music at Year 9 or 10 will help when choosing repertoire and performing at Year 11 and beyond.
If you do select music as a L1 course, see me in Term 4 about musical instrument tuition opportunities.
Watch Kiera perform her Group Performance piece with the Jazz Band at Jazz Quest
Jazz Band perform Love me or Leave me
Approximate Costs and Equipment/Stationery
This is a guide only
A quality pair of headphones.
A device with a high processing capability.
Muse Score and Ableton Live installed on your device.
Pathway
Music is a fundamental form of personal and cultural expression. By making, sharing and responding to music, you have the opportunity to explore your creative potential and extend your performance skills, as well as laying a foundation for lifelong enjoyment of and participation in music.
Any employer would be impressed to learn you have musical ability. Being a musician requires years of dedication to learning an instrument. This shows you have what it takes to be motivated, shows discipline, the ability to overcome obstacles and become confident when performing in front of others. You will also learn to collaborate with others in a group performance setting. Another vital skill employers are looking for. Music also helps build confidence and strong relationships with others across year groups (whānaungatanga).
Assessment Information
We do Three standards from the above list. 1.1, 1.2, 1.4. We may do the learning of 1.3 depending on time available.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.
External
NZQA Info
Music 1.1 - Use music skills in a music style
NZQA Info
Music 1.2 - Demonstrate music performance skills
NZQA Info
Music 1.3 - Demonstrate understanding of music in relation to contexts
NZQA Info
Music 1.4 - Shape music ideas to create an original composition
Pathway Tags
Diversional Therapist, Actor, Artistic Director, Film and Video Editor, Sound Technician, Dancer, Entertainer, Film/Television Camera Operator, Musician, Director (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Radio Presenter, Early Childhood Teacher, Media Producer, Production Assistant (Film, Lighting Technician, Game Developer, Nanny/Child Carer, Private Teacher/Tutor, Television Presenter. Broadcasting. Audio Engineer, Audiology, Music therapist, composition, advertiser, entrepreneur, Diversional and Recreational Therapist, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage),
Useful Links
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