Sample work Music Stage 5: Composing medieval music
Work samples aligned to grades assist teachers to develop their understanding of the achievement standards at each grade level.
Description of activity
Students compose a piece of music reflecting the features of pitch (melody and harmony) and structure of music of the medieval or renaissance periods. The composition must have 2–3 parts or voices and must be between 24 and 32 bars in length.
Context
Students have an understanding of the music of the medieval or renaissance periods. They have been improvising, composing and arranging musical ideas both individually and in groups.
Outcomes
A student:
- 5.4 demonstrates an understanding of the musical concepts through improvising, arranging and composing in the styles or genres of music selected for study
- 5.5 notates own compositions, applying forms of notation appropriate to the music selected for study.
Criteria for assessing learning
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- compose a work for 2–3 parts or voices reflecting medieval or renaissance style
- create a score of their work
- select a variety of tone colours appropriate to their composition
- demonstrate an understanding of the roles of melody, harmony and structure in the compositional process.
Graded student work samples
Work sample feedback
Taylor
Taylor has demonstrated a very high level of competence in creating a composition in the Renaissance style. A clear understanding of voice writing has been demonstrated in the use of range and the exploration of vocal interplay through imitation. Each part has its own independent rhythmic and melodic layer with the final four bars providing effective rhythmic unity.
The work has been confidently notated, showing extensive understanding of scoring conventions and technology despite the lack of tempo and dynamic markings. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard.
Ashley
Ashley has demonstrated a high level of competence in creating a composition in the medieval style. A thorough understanding of medieval dance style has been shown through melodic shaping and contour, and intervallic choices. A clear understanding of pitch requirements and the role of each layer is evident. There is some rhythmic interplay using 6/8 time but it has not been fully explored. Tonality has been clearly established and maintained, and there is good imitation between the parts.
The composition has been accurately notated in conventional style. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard.
Shane
Shane has demonstrated an adequate level of competence in creating a composition in the Renaissance style. The rhythmic material is secure, with some interplay between parts and some imitation, but the harmonic choices are less secure, with some doubling of parts and discordant intervals.
Tonality has not been clearly established at the start, and the melodic range for the bass has been over-extended in the latter part of the composition, but appropriate conventions have been used with generally secure scansion. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.
Pat
Pat has demonstrated a limited level of competence in creating a composition in medieval or Renaissance style. The rhythmic material is simplistic but there is a basic sense of structure. Some rhythmic patterns do not comply with 3/4 conventions and the harmony is inconsistent. There is no indication of tempo or dynamics, and the choice of instrumentation is inappropriate for the style. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.