Music 2 Stage 6 Syllabus (2009)

The Music 2 Stage 6 Syllabus (2009) is for students in Stage 6. Find out more about the syllabus and access teaching and learning support materials.

Download syllabus (DOC 340KB)

Read the record of changes to learn about updates to the syllabus and assessment. View all Creative Arts syllabuses on the NSW Curriculum website.

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New syllabus implemented from 2027

The new Music 2 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2027.

2026

• Plan and prepare to teach Music 2 11–12 Syllabus (2025)

2027, Term 1

• Start teaching Music 2 11–12 Syllabus (2025) for Year 11

• Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements

• Continue to teach the Music 2 Stage 6 Syllabus (2009) for Year 12

2027, Term 4

• Start teaching Music 2 11–12 Syllabus (2025) for Year 12

• Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements

2028

• First HSC examination for Music 2 11–12 Syllabus (2025).

About the course

In this course, students study the concepts of music through the learning experiences of performance, composition, musicology and aural within the context of a range of styles, periods and genres.
Course description

While the course builds on the Stages 4 and 5 Music course, it also caters for students with less experience in Music.

What students learn

Preliminary course

In the Preliminary course, students study the concepts of music through the learning experiences of performance, composition, musicology and aural within the context of a range of styles, periods and genres.

Students study one mandatory topic covering a range of content and one additional topic in each year of the course.

In the Preliminary course, the mandatory topic is Music 1600–1900. The additional topic is chosen from a list of six topics which covers a broad range of styles, periods and genres.

HSC course

In the HSC course, students study the concepts of music through the learning experiences of performance, composition, musicology and aural within the context of a range of styles, periods and genres.

Students study one mandatory topic covering a range of content and one additional topic in each year of the course. The additional topic is chosen from a list of eight topics which covers a broad range of styles, periods and genres.

In the HSC course, the mandatory topic is Music of the Last 25 Years (Australian focus).

Course numbers and exclusions

Board Developed Course

Course number(s):

  • 11290 Music 2 (2 units – Preliminary)
  • 15300 Music 2 (2 units – HSC)

Prerequisites: Nil

Eligibility: Nil

Study via self-tuition: No

Exclusions:

  • 11280 Music 1 (2 units – Preliminary)
  • 15290 Music 1 (2 units – HSC)
  • 16650 Creative Arts Life Skills (2 units – Preliminary) (where Music is undertaken within the course)
  • 16650 Creative Arts Life Skills (2 units – HSC) (where Music is undertaken within the course)
  • 16656 Music Life Skills (2 units – Preliminary)
  • 16656 Music Life Skills (2 units – HSC)

Projects developed for assessment in one subject are not to be used either in full or in part for assessment in any other subject.

Course requirements

In addition to core studies in performance, composition, musicology and aural, students nominate one elective study in Performance, Composition or Musicology.

Submitted works and performances are required to reflect the mandatory and additional topic studied in the HSC.

The additional topic studied in the HSC must be different to the topic studied in the Preliminary course.

Students selecting Composition or Musicology electives will be required to compile a portfolio of work as part of the process of preparing a submitted work.

All students will be required to develop a composition portfolio for the core composition.

Related industries

The knowledge and skills developed in this course can be applied across a range of career pathways.

Industries related to this course include, but are not limited to, the following outlined on the Your Career website:

Assessment and exam information and support

4:37

HSC Music Performance

Read transcript
Video transcript

HSC Music Performance

Hello, in this video we'll be looking at some of the distinguishing features or outstanding HSC music performances.
So in the HSC what makes and outstanding performance?
There are four key areas. 1. Demonstration of technical skills.
2. Stylistic interpretation of the chosen repertoire.
3. Sense of musical expression and sensitivity to the chosen repertoire.
4. Demonstration of solo and/or ensemble techniques.
Exemplary performances clearly demonstrate highly developed technical skills.
They incorporate technical fluency, facility and appropriate articulation.
It's important to practise sections of your performance in order to perfect them.
Viola soloist Justine Julian's performance was outstanding and saw him selected for Encore.
Justin Woo demonstrated his exemplary technical skill.
When it comes to stylist interpretation your repertoire needs to address the demands of your mandatory and chosen additional topic.
The highest performing students demonstrate a deep and first hand understanding of the complexities and features of the styles they're performing.
So listen to a wide range of expert exponents and experiment.
Otto Zhang's interpretation has captured stylistic nuances.
Your sense of musical expression and sensitivity to your chosen repertoire is also considered.
Having mastered the technique and style, take your performance to another level with a sophisticated personal expression.
Make use of appropriate articulation, dynamics and expressive techniques like Christina Kim.
A highly developed performance is distinguished by your interaction and communication as a soloist or as a member of an ensemble.
You need to understand your role within the work as intended by the composer.
Listening and recording to your performances will ensure that you fine tune the balance within your ensemble or with your accompanist
Listen for the balance as the lines are shared by the ensemble in Alvin Song's performance.
To prepare for your performance make sure that you immerse yourself in the styles that you have chosen.
Practice with purpose. Make sure you listen back and evaluate your performance.
Use criticism to help refine it.
The exam is the culmination of your hard work so make sure you let your love of music shine through.

Teaching and learning support

Use these support materials to guide and plan your teaching and assessment.

HSC exam papers

HSC standards materials

Sample work

Sample work Music 2 Year 11: Summarising information about a current development in Music 2 Preliminary

Sample assessment schedules

Music 2 Stage 6 (2009): Sample assessment schedule – Year 11 – A (DOCX 18.79KB)

Music 2 Stage 6 (2009): Sample assessment schedule – Year 11 – B (DOCX 22.03KB)

Music 2 Stage 6 (2009): Sample assessment schedule – Year 11 – C (DOCX 22.45KB)

Music 2 Stage 6 (2009): Sample assessment schedule – Year 12 – A (DOCX 20KB)

Music 2 Stage 6 (2009): Sample assessment schedule – Year 12 – B (DOCX 20.21KB)

Music 2 Stage 6 (2009): Sample assessment schedule – Year 12 – C (DOCX 19.41KB)

Related information

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