Assessment and reporting in Music 2

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.

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 2 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.

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 2 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 practical exam, core composition 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.

School-based assessment of the Musicology portfolio

A musicology portfolio is to be developed as a record of the musicological process and may be taken into account as part of school-based assessment. Schools will use the musicology portfolio as evidence of student progress and authorship of student work as it develops over time. The musicology portfolio is not part of the external exam mark.

Time allowed: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 5 minutes reading time.

• There will be four questions
• Questions may contain parts.
• Question 4 will be worth 10 marks.

Performance (15 marks)

• Candidates will perform one piece on an instrument of their choice or voice.
• Maximum performance time will be 5 minutes.

Sight singing (5 marks)

• Candidates will sight-sing an unseen piece of music.

• Candidates will submit one original composition.
• Maximum composition length will be 2 minutes.

Performance Elective

• Candidates will perform two pieces for instrument(s) or voice.
• Maximum performance time will be 10 minutes.

Composition Elective

• Candidates will compose and submit one original composition.
• Maximum composition length will be 3 minutes.

Musicology Elective

• Candidates will prepare and submit one extended response of approximately 1500 words.

Students are NOT to repeat material between exam components. Students may not, for example, perform their elective composition.

Candidates may use music during the exam as there is no marking criteria for or advantage to playing from memory. Photocopied music or digitally displayed music is permitted with the usual copyright restrictions and regulations observed.

Performance exam criteria

Candidates will be assessed on their musical effectiveness through:

• demonstration of technical skills
• stylistic interpretation of the chosen repertoire
• 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 2 Marking Guidelines (PDF 175.7KB) 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.

Choice of Piece/Repertoire

The choice and suitability of repertoire should involve discussion between the student and the classroom 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 two 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 a 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 time frame. The original composition date also applies to arrangements. The selection of repertoire should be made carefully to ensure it falls within the time frame indicated.

MANDATORY TOPIC HSC: Music in the last 25 years (Australian focus). The topic requires the study of repertoire that has been originally composed in the last 25 years. The original composition date also applies to arrangements. The topic provides the opportunity to explore contexts and influences of contemporary Australian music including broader cultural contexts of influence. The work does not have to be written by an Australian composer as the Australian focus refers to the study of the topic as a whole.

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
• 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.

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.

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.

Performance – Core

Maximum performance time: 5 minutes.

A practical test consisting of two parts – Part (a) and Part (b).

Part (a): Prepared performance

Students will perform on an instrument or voice ONE piece representing the Mandatory topic: Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus).

Part (b): Sight-singing

Students will sight-sing a piece of music selected by the examiners from a set of sight-singing examples.

The vocal sight reading test will be approximately eight bars in length and will have a vocal range suited to the student. The test may be performed to the given words, or on any open vowel, or sol-fa or solfege. It will be based on the rhythmic vocabulary given in the Music 2 and Music Extension syllabuses. It may be in a major or minor key or mode and contain all intervals up to and including the octave, but excluding augmented intervals and the major seventh.

The examiner will give the tonic chord and the starting note once after handing the test to the student, and once again immediately before the student sings it. The student will have up to two minutes reading time.

Candidates will be assessed on how well they demonstrate:

• aural awareness to accurately perform pitch and rhythm.

See HSC Music 2 Marking Guidelines (PDF 175.7KB) on the NESA website.

Performance – Elective

Maximum performance time: 10 minutes

Performance elective candidates will perform TWO pieces of music for instrument(s) or voice.

One piece must represent the additional topic studied in the HSC course.

One piece must represent either the mandatory topic or the same additional topic studied in the HSC course.

If candidates choose to perform in an ensemble, the part performed by the candidate must be clearly displayed.

See HSC Music 2 Marking Guidelines (PDF 175.7KB) on the NESA website.

For the purpose of the Higher School Certificate 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.

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, bar numbers and all performance directions are to be included on each work, and instruments/voices should be labelled on each page.

A Composition portfolio is to be developed as a record of the compositional process. This portfolio may be requested by NESA to validate authorship of the composition. See the Music Stage 6 Support Document (PDF 762.59KB) for more details regarding the Composition portfolio.

Compositions must adhere to time limits.

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 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 2 Marking Guidelines (PDF 175.7KB) on the NESA website.

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.

Composition – Core

Maximum composition length: 2 minutes

Students will submit ONE original composition. This must represent the mandatory topic:

Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus).

Composition – Elective

Maximum composition length: 3 minutes

Students will submit ONE original composition representing the additional topic studied during the HSC course. The composition should be of a musically substantial nature and should reflect an understanding of the stylistic features of the topic which it represents. It should show evidence of a personal interpretation and not be merely imitative writing.

Musicology exam criteria

Candidates will be assessed on how well they demonstrate musicological understanding through:

• application of the skills of in-depth analysis
• understanding of musical concepts and the relationships between them within the relevant context supported by relevant musical examples and quotations drawn from primary sources
• organisation, development and expression of ideas.

See HSC Music 2 Marking Guidelines (PDF 175.7KB) on the NESA website.

Musicology – Elective

Musicology elective candidates will submit one essay of 1500 words on an aspect of the additional topic studied in the HSC course, or on a comparison of styles between the mandatory topic and the additional topic studied in the HSC course.

A Musicology Portfolio is to be developed as a record of the musicological process. This portfolio may be requested by NESA to validate authorship of the essay.

A brief written record of each student’s progress throughout the essay must be kept by the teacher. This should not be submitted with the Musicology essay, but may be requested in exceptional circumstances where the examiners require further information. This record should be retained in the school together with assessment records. A Practical Project: Record of Student’s Progress pro-forma is available to download from Schools Online.

Musicology essays should demonstrate use of primary sources (eg scores, recordings, interviews, concerts) in a detailed investigation of music studied. Students should demonstrate an understanding of the use of musical concepts and their cultural contexts in the music studied. Relevant musical examples (chosen to illustrate important points) and quotations should convincingly support statements made in the essay. These may be presented in the body of the essay as short score extracts and/or short recorded excerpts.

Students are advised to choose an area of study for which they have access to primary sources, and to begin their study with an overview of the topic based on these sources. Students should then narrow the scope of the topic and focus on the specific works or an aspect of the music or style. The essay should focus on specific musical concepts in the music studied, in their cultural contexts and present an in-depth analysis of the music.

Essays should be typed. Each typed A4 page equals approximately 200 words of 12 point, double-spaced type. Each essay must include page numbers and a progressive word count every 100 words.

Bibliography and/or discography, footnotes and/or end notes etc, must be included but will not be counted in the word count. Brief annotations and labelled diagrams will not be counted in the word count. These should be used judiciously and not as a means to expand the exploration of the concept central to the work.

Essays must adhere to word lengths.

Submitting the Musicology Essay:

• musicology essays must be submitted as PDF files and sound files as MP3 files
• sound files included in musicology essays need to be saved as a single MP3 file (all sound excerpts in one file)
• each excerpt in the sound file should be labelled in the body of the essay, with the time the sound file starts to play and finishes e.g. Excerpt. 3. (0:17-0:32). A short pause should be left between each except
• each Musicology essay 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’ Musicology essays 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.