Music Extension Stage 6 Syllabus (2009)

The Music Extension 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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About the course

Students will specialise in Performance, Composition or Musicology.
Course description

HSC course

The Music Extension course builds on Music 2 Preliminary course and extends the Music 2 HSC course. It assumes a high level of music literacy and aural ability as well as advanced performance or composition or musicology skills.

What students learn

Students specialise in performance or composition or musicology and follow an individual program of study which is negotiated between the teacher and student.

Course numbers and exclusions

Board Developed Course

Course number(s):

  • 15310 Music Extension (1 unit – HSC)

Prerequisites:

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

Studied concurrently with HSC course of Music 2 or at the completion of the HSC course in Music 2 for those students undertaking pathways.

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

Students selecting Performance as their area of specialisation will be required to present an ensemble piece within their performance program. Students selecting Composition or Musicology as their area of specialisation will be required to compile a portfolio of work as part of the process of preparing a submitted work.

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 assessment schedules

Music Extension Stage 6 (2009): Sample assessment schedule – A (DOCX 20.02KB)

Music Extension Stage 6 (2009): Sample assessment schedule – B (DOCX 20.13KB)

Music Extension Stage 6 (2009): Sample assessment schedule – C (DOCX 21.71KB)

Related information

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