Assessment and reporting in Music 1
Assessment for Music 1 provides information to support learning and reporting of performance. Find out about assessment requirements and the structure of the HSC exam.
School-based assessment requirements
Schools are required to develop an assessment program for each Year 11 and Year 12 course. NESA provides information about the responsibilities of schools in developing assessment programs in course-specific assessment and reporting requirements and in the Assessment Certification Examination (ACE) rules and requirements.
Schools are required to submit to NESA a grade for each student based on their achievement at the end of the course.
Teachers use professional, on-balance judgement to allocate grades based on the Common Grade Scale for Preliminary courses.
Teachers consider all available assessment information, including formal and informal assessment, to determine the grade that best matches each student’s achievement at the end of the course.
See ACE (Assessment, Certification and Examination rules and requirements) for further information.
Assessment programs must reflect course components and weightings
The course components and component weightings for Year 11 are mandatory.
| Course component | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Performance | 25% |
| Composition | 25% |
| Musicology | 25% |
| Aural | 25% |
Schools may determine specific elements of their assessment program
Schools have authority to determine the number, type of task and the weighting allocated to an assessment task. Schools may also follow the sample assessment programs provided by NESA.
Sample assessment program
NESA’s sample Year 11 formal school-based assessment program for Music 1 includes:
- 3 assessment tasks, including:
- a formal written exam.
The recommended weighting for any individual task is 20% to 40%.
NESA requires schools to submit a school-based assessment mark for each Year 12 candidate in a course. Formal school-based assessment tasks should reflect the syllabus outcomes and content. The mark submitted by the school provides a summation of each student’s achievement measured at several points throughout the course.
A school’s program of school-based assessment includes both mandatory and non-mandatory elements.
See ACE (Assessment, Certification and Examination rules and requirements) for further information.
Assessment programs must reflect course components and weightings
The course components and component weightings for Year 12 are mandatory.
| Course component | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Performance | 10% |
| Composition | 10% |
| Musicology | 10% |
| Aural | 25% |
| Electives | 45% |
Schools may determine specific elements of their assessment program
Schools have authority to determine the number, type of task and the weighting allocated to an assessment task. Schools may also follow the sample assessment programs provided by NESA.
Sample assessment program
NESA’s sample Year 12 formal school-based assessment program for Music 1 includes:
- 4 assessment tasks, including:
- a minimum weighting for an individual task of 10%
- a maximum weighting for an individual task of 40%
- one task that is a formal written exam with a maximum weighting of 30%.
Formal written exam task
This task may assess a broad range of course content and outcomes. Schools may choose to replicate the timing and structure of the HSC exam.
If a school includes the development of the externally assessed core performance and electives in conjunction with the written paper, the combined weighting of the tasks should not exceed 30%.
School-based assessment of externally marked tasks
Schools are reminded that when assessing the development of core and elective performance, composition and musicology works, appropriate school-based marking guidelines should be developed. Use of the external HSC marking guidelines is not appropriate.
School-based assessment of the composition portfolio
A composition portfolio is to be developed as a record of the compositional process for Elective Composition and may be taken into account as part of school-based assessment. Schools will use the composition portfolio as evidence of student progress and authorship of student work as it develops over time. The composition portfolio is not part of the external exam mark.
HSC exam specifications
The external HSC exam measures student achievement in a range of syllabus outcomes.
The external exam and its marking relate to the syllabus by:
- providing clear links to syllabus outcomes
- enabling students to demonstrate the levels of achievement outlined in the performance band descriptions
- applying marking guidelines based on criteria that relate to the quality of the response
- aligning performance in the exam each year to the standards established for the course.
Exam questions may require candidates to integrate knowledge, understanding and skills developed through studying the course.
The exam will consist of a written Aural Skills paper worth 30 marks, a Core Performance practical exam worth 20 marks and 3 elective exams worth 60 marks. The marks for Core Performance and the electives will be converted to a mark out of 70, giving a total mark out of 100 for the exam.
Students must adhere to performance/composition time limits.
Time allowed: Approximately 1 hour plus 5 minutes reading time.
- The paper will consist of 4 short-answer questions.
- Questions may contain parts.
- Questions will relate to musical excerpts reflecting the range of topics offered for study.
Maximum performance time: 5 minutes.
Candidates will perform one piece on an instrument or voice.
Candidates are NOT to repeat material between exam components; they may not, for example, perform their elective composition.
Candidates may choose any combination of electives to the value of 60 marks.
Performance (20 marks)
Maximum performance time: 5 minutes.
Candidates will perform one piece on an instrument or voice for each Performance elective.
Composition (20 marks)
Maximum composition length: 4 minutes.
Candidates will compose and submit one original composition for each Composition elective.
Musicology (20 marks)
Maximum viva voce length: 10 minutes.
Candidates will prepare and present one viva voce for each Musicology elective.
Requirements for the practical exam and electives
Performance and Musicology electives will be examined at the same time as the core practical examination. Composition electives will be examined in the form of submitted works.
Development of the practical task(s) and/or submitted work(s) may commence from the beginning of the HSC course.
Practical exam form
A form will be supplied by NESA on which all students will list:
- piece title
- composer
- course topic represented
- performance times of the items and
- order of performance.
This form will be handed to the examiners at the commencement of the practical exam.
Supervision of work development
Schools must have procedures in place that will allow effective supervision of the development of students’ submitted work. This is particularly the case where work is done away from school. Schools must be confident that effective supervision and sufficient documentation of this work is possible before giving consent for students to begin work on their practical work.
Teacher’s declaration
Teachers must certify that the submitted work has been completed under their supervision, and that the rules and procedures described here and in the ACE website have been followed.
Principals must be able to endorse the teacher’s declaration that the submitted work:
- has been done under the teacher’s supervision
- is the student’s own work consistent with earlier drafts and other examples of the student’s work
- was completed by the due date.
Topics studied and repertoire
Students will study at least 3 topics from the list provided in the Music 1 Stage 6 Syllabus. The topics must be either:
- 3 topics which are different from those studied in the Preliminary course, or
- 2 topics which are different from those studied in the Preliminary course and 1 topic from the Preliminary course which shows greater depth of understanding, explores new repertoire and includes a comparative study.
Students will also choose 3 electives made up of any combination of performance, composition or musicology. These 3 electives must reflect the 3 topics studied in the HSC course.
While more than 3 topics may be studied during the HSC course, only 3 topics are to be presented for the HSC exam.
The choice and suitability of repertoire should involve discussion between the candidate and the teacher who understands topic choices, as well as the musical requirements and interpretation of the marking guidelines for the HSC. AMEB repertoire may be used however; it must address topic representation requirements.
Candidates can present 2 short pieces of repertoire by one composer as one performance. Candidates may, for example, combine 2 movements from a work, or 2 songs from the same song cycle. Selected HSC topic representation and time requirements apply to combined pieces.
Where dates apply to an HSC topic area, a candidate cannot perform a piece written outside the stated years. This requires the piece to have been originally composed within the stated period. The original composition date also applies to arrangements. The selection of repertoire should be made carefully to ensure it falls within the period indicated.
The core performance and any elective performances will be examined in the same exam session.
Performance – Core
- All candidates will perform 1 piece on an instrument of their choice or voice.
- The piece must represent 1 of the 3 topics studied in the HSC course.
- The piece may be a solo or an ensemble item.
Performance – Elective
- Candidates will perform 1 piece for each Performance elective.
- The piece must represent 1 of the 3 topics studied in the HSC course.
- The performance may be a solo or an ensemble item.
If more than one Performance elective is presented, each performance must represent a different topic from 3 topics studied in the HSC course.
Performance exam criteria
During the exam, candidates are assessed on the musical effectiveness of their performance through:
- demonstration of technical skills
- stylistic interpretation of the chosen repertoire
- a sense of musical expression and sensitivity to the chosen repertoire
- demonstration of solo and/or ensemble techniques.
Students should be able to demonstrate in performance an understanding of the stylistic features of music representing the topics studied.
See HSC Music 1 Marking Guidelines on the NESA website.
Only performers and examiners are permitted in the exam venue. Ensemble members, accompanists and page turners are permitted for the duration of the piece in which they are involved. Candidates may use music during the exam.
Solo and ensemble accompaniment requirements
Accompaniment may be:
- live or
- pre-recorded or
- both live accompaniment with pre-recorded accompaniment.
In the case of pre-recorded accompaniments, the part of the candidate must be clearly displayed and must not be included on the recording.
Pre-recorded backing tracks should be sympathetic to the style of music and be of good quality with a balance between the performer(s) and the backing track that is suitable for the performance space.
A click track can be used.
A solo work is where an instrument or voice is featured as distinct and takes the musical interest and may be accompanied by one or more instruments.
The term ‘ensemble’ refers to any piece presented by two or more performers that specifically demonstrates the individual candidate’s use and understanding of ensemble skills. In ensemble performances the student is permitted to undertake a non-solo part, provided that the musical contribution can be clearly identified in the performance. The specific parts of the ensemble do NOT need to be equal. It is important to consider how the piece allows the candidate to demonstrate the outcomes related to performance.
A teacher can be used as an accompanist. Accompanists are not marked as part of the performance.
Use of technology
The use of technology should not delay the exam process. A sound mixing device can be used during the exam when operated by the candidate. Sound and balance checks should be carried out before the exam begins. Candidates’ programs should be scheduled to allow students to use the same technology without delaying the exam process.
Mobile phones, tablets and laptops
Teachers and candidates are advised the use of laptops, tablets and mobile phones are permitted in HSC Music performance exams provided the device is set on flight mode, wifi is turned off and the candidate can demonstrate this to the HSC markers. Where a candidate intends to use a mobile phone, tablet or laptop for backing tracks, the candidate must advise HSC markers prior to their exam and demonstrate that the device is in flight mode and the wifi turned off.
Unusual musical instruments/sound sources
Teachers are reminded to contact NESA to seek advice and permission if their students wish to use unusual or less conventional musical instruments or sound sources in the exams. It is not necessary to seek permission to use standard orchestral or band instruments, voice or instruments specific to a particular culture.
Electronic instruments
Electronic instruments may be used as solo instruments or as an accompaniment or as part of an ensemble.
The use of technology such as:
- synthesisers
- electronic drum kits
- MIDI-controlled instruments (sequencers, drum machines, electronic percussion and samplers)
- recorded accompaniment
- looping pedals and launch pad
must be appropriate to the performance with no pre-programmed material or connectivity to the internet. Use of technology must be considered in the same way as any conventional instrument for performance and not as a device for programming.
Performance times
Candidates must adhere to time limits.
Teachers and candidates are advised:
- time limits cannot be combined or treated cumulatively. Each performance component has a discrete time limit
- while there is no minimum time for performance it is important to note that candidates should select repertoire that allows them to demonstrate their full range of music capabilities and sufficiently demonstrate the performance criteria. An overly brief repertoire may restrict opportunities to do this.
- performances that do not meet course prescriptions for time limits are in breach of exam rules and are not able to achieve the same marks as those performances that work within the course requirements.
- sympathetic edits are permitted to pieces chosen for performance to accommodate maximum performance time requirements. When editing for this purpose, teachers and candidates should consider preserving musical continuity and a sense of cohesion in the piece.
For the purpose of the HSC exam, the term ‘composition’ applies to original works. The composition should be of a musically substantial nature and should reflect an understanding of the stylistic features of the topic that it represents. It should show evidence of a personal interpretation and not be merely imitative writing.
Composition exam criteria
Candidates will be assessed on how well they demonstrate:
- stylistic understanding and topic representation
- understanding of musical concepts and the relationships between them
- knowledge of score conventions and performance directions.
See HSC Music 1 Marking Guidelines on the NESA website.
Composition portfolio
A composition portfolio is to be developed as a record of the compositional process. This portfolio may be requested by NESA during the HSC exam marking operation to validate authorship of the composition. See the Music Stage 6 Support Document for more details regarding the composition portfolio.
Written score and recording
The marking of submitted compositions is based on both the written score and the recording.
The recording is used as a guide to the intentions of the composer, and therefore the technical quality will not be taken into consideration. All details necessary to realise the score must be included on the submitted manuscript.
Traditional and non-traditional notation is acceptable. If non-traditional notation is used, a key should accompany the score.
Page and bar numbers are to be included on each work and instruments/voices should be labelled on each page opening.
Submitting the composition
- compositions must be submitted as PDF files and sound files as MP3 files
- each composition should have a completed Coversheet (schools can download this via Schools Online > Memos and Documents > HSC Project Uploads)
- Schools are required to upload and certify their students’ compositions via Schools Online, submission instructions can be found via Schools Online > Memos and Documents > HSC Project Uploads.
Student Declaration and Certification
- Once the submitted works are uploaded, the principal/delegate must certify via Schools Online that the declaration has been completed and that the work is the student’s own.
- In addition to works being certified via Schools Online, students are required to complete and sign a declaration at the time of submission, declaring that the submitted work(s) is all their own work. The Declaration should not be uploaded to Schools Online but should be retained at the school until 30 June the next year.
Composition – Elective
- Candidates will submit to NESA 1 original composition for each Composition elective.
- The Composition must represent 1 of the 3 topics studied in the HSC course.
If more than one Composition elective is presented, each Composition must represent a different topic from within the 3 topics studied in the HSC course.
Musicology exam criteria
Candidates will be assessed on how well they demonstrate:
- a musicology focus
- an understanding of the chosen topic
- an understanding of musical concepts and the relationship between them
- relevant musical examples that support the discussion.
See HSC Music 1 Marking Guidelines on the NESA website.
Musicology – Elective
- Candidates will prepare and present 1 viva voce for each Musicology elective.
- The viva voce must represent 1 of the 3 topics studied in the HSC course.
- Candidates may specialise within a topic.
- If more than one Musicology elective is presented, each viva voce must represent a different topic from within the 3 topics studied in the HSC course.
Musicology viva voce
The Musicology viva voce is a two-way discussion between examiner and candidate in which the candidate must demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and stylistic features of music in the topics studied. The viva voce must have a musical focus based on extensive listening. Candidates may focus on a specific area of the topic studied, which they will outline for the examiners on the Viva Voce Outline Summary Sheet available on Schools Online.
Candidates present 1 copy of their Viva Voce Outline Summary Sheet to examiners and may keep a copy of the same document for use during the exam. No other cue cards, digital slides or prepared notes are to be brought into the exam.
Musical examples
Candidates may refer to relevant musical examples, which they may bring into the exam. These may include cued recordings/ digital media, scores and/or an instrument/voice to demonstrate relevant musical points.