Assessment and reporting in Music Extension

Assessment for Music Extension provides information to support learning and reporting of performance. Find out about assessment requirements and the structure of the HSC exam.

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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.

Year 12

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 OR Composition OR Musicology	100%

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 Extension includes:

3 assessment tasks, including:
- a minimum weighting for an individual task of 20%
- 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.

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.

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 performance practical exam or the submission of a composition or musicology essay, worth 50 marks.

Performance (50 marks)

Maximum performance time will be 20 minutes.

Ensemble (20 marks)

Candidates will perform a piece of music on instrument(s) or voice as an ensemble item.

Solo (30 marks)

Candidates will perform two solo contrasting pieces of music on instrument(s) or voice.

Composition (50 marks)

Candidates will compose and submit two original contrasting pieces or movements.

Maximum combined length of the two pieces or movements will be 6 minutes.

Musicology (50 marks)

Candidates will prepare and submit an essay of approximately 3000 words.

Requirements for the practical exam and submitted works

Development of the practical tasks 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.

Performance exams

Solo performance

Candidates will be assessed on their musical effectiveness through:

musical sophistication and sensitivity
demonstration of technical skills
stylistic interpretation of the chosen repertoire
Sense of personal expression and personal interpretation of the chosen repertoire
Understanding of solo performance techniques.

Ensemble performance

Candidates will be assessed on their musical effectiveness through:

Demonstrated understanding of ensemble techniques
Musical sophistication and sensitivity
Demonstration of technical skills
Stylistic interpretation of the chosen repertoire
Sense of personal expression and personal interpretation of the chosen repertoire

See HSC Music Extension Marking Guidelines (PDF 170.54KB) on the NESA website.

Choice of Piece/Repertoire

Teachers and candidates are advised:

two separate movements from within the one work can be played as two different pieces for performance provided, they meet the representation requirement for ‘contrasting’ pieces.
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.
contrasting pieces can be broadly interpreted such as contrast in period, genre, mood, style.
the choice and suitability of repertoire should involve discussion between the candidate and the teacher who understands the musical requirements and interpretation of the marking guidelines for the HSC.
AMEB repertoire may be used.
students may NOT perform the same piece for Music 2 and Music Extension. Please see ACE 2.5 HSC practical exams.

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.

Important points regarding ensemble works

Ensemble direction can be explicit or implicit and displayed through sophisticated musical communication and interaction between the performers.
Structural coherency is the awareness and control of the macro and micro-structures of the piece, including the overall form and the subtle rhythmic, harmonic and melodic ideas of the performance.
Stylistic endeavours display the validity and integrity of the composer’s intent.
Sophistication and sensitivity are manifest in the candidate’s musicality and personal interpretation.
Technical skill is the command across the instrument displaying an agile technique and mastery of articulation and tone.
Unity and balance should be evident in the overall ensemble.

Electronic instruments

Use of technology must be considered in the same way as any conventional instrument for performance and not as a device for programming. 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 and broadcast capability disabled.

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

Maximum performance time: 20 minutes.

Students will perform 3 contrasting pieces of music on instrument(s) or voice.

1 of the pieces must be an ensemble item.
The part played by the candidate in the ensemble must be clearly displayed.
2 solo pieces.

Composition exams

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.

Composition exam criteria

Candidates will be assessed on how well they demonstrate:

Understanding of musical concepts and the relationships between them
stylistic understanding
knowledge of score conventions and performance directions
ability to establish and sustain a musical idea
A sense of personal compositional style.

See HSC Music Extension Marking Guidelines (PDF 170.54KB) on the NESA website.

School-based assessment of the composition portfolio

Composition

Maximum combined time of the two pieces or movements: 6 minutes.

Students will submit TWO original contrasting pieces or movements.

The marking of submitted compositions is based on both the written scores and the recordings. The recordings are 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 scores 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 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.

Musicology exams

Musicology exam criteria

Candidates will be assessed on how well they demonstrate:

establishment of an hypothesis and application of the skills of critical analysis and evaluation
organisation, development and expression of ideas in a sustained argument support by relevant musical examples and quotations
understanding of the concepts of music and the relationships between them within the relevant context
Research and data collection skills from primary and secondary sources.

See HSC Music Extension Marking Guidelines (PDF 170.54KB) on the NESA website.

Musicology

Students will submit one essay of approximately 3000 words on one or more aspect(s) of music that they have studied in depth.

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 the music studied. Students should demonstrate an understanding of the use of musical concepts and their cultural contexts in the music studied and be able to state a hypothesis and draw valid conclusions to their research. 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. This will enable them to narrow the scope of the topic and to formulate a relevant hypothesis, to focus on specific works, aspect(s) of music or style(s) and to form their own conclusions. 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 which is relevant to the stated hypothesis.

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.

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