Rationale
This rationale complements and extends the rationale for The Arts learning area.Music is uniquely an aural art form. The essential nature of music is abstract. Music encompasses existing sounds that are selected and shaped, new sounds created by composers and performers, and the placement of sounds in time and space.
Aims
In addition to the overarching aims of the Australian Curriculum: The Arts, music knowledge, understanding and skills ensure that, individually and collaboratively, students develop:the confidence to be creative, innovative, thoughtful, skilful and informed musicians
Structure
Learning in MusicStudents learning Music listen, perform and compose. They learn about the elements of music comprising rhythm, pitch, dynamics and expression, form and structure, timbre and texture.
Example of knowledge and skills
Years 7 and 8
Years 7 and 8 Band Description
In Music, students:
- build on their aural skills by identifying and manipulating rhythm, pitch, dynamics and expression, form and structure, timbre and texture in their listening, composing and performing
- aurally identify layers within a texture
- sing and play independent parts against contrasting parts
- recognise rhythmic, melodic and harmonic patterns and beat groupings
- understand their role within an ensemble and control tone and volume
- perform with expression and technical control
- identify a variety of audiences for which music is made
- draw on music from a range of cultures, times and locations as they experience music
- explore the music and influences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and those of the Asia region
- learn that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have converted oral records to other technologies
- learn that over time there has been further development of techniques used in traditional and contemporary styles of music as they explore form in music
- explore meaning and interpretation, forms, and elements including rhythm, pitch, dynamics and expression, form and structure, timbre and texture as they make and respond to music
- consider social, cultural and historical contexts of music
- evaluate the expressive techniques used in music they listen to and experience in performance
- maintain safety, correct posture and technique in using instruments and technologies
- build on their understanding from previous bands of the roles of artists and audiences as they engage with more diverse music.
Years 7 and 8 Content Descriptions
Years 7 and 8 Achievement Standards
By the end of Year 8, students identify and analyse how the elements of music are used in different styles and apply this knowledge in their performances and compositions. They evaluate musical choices they and others from different cultures, times and places make to communicate meaning as performers and composers.
Students manipulate the elements of music and stylistic conventions to compose music. They interpret, rehearse and perform songs and instrumental pieces in unison and in parts, demonstrating technical and expressive skills. They use aural skills, music terminology and symbols to recognise, memorise and notate features, such as melodic patterns in music they perform and compose.
Years 7 and 8 Work Sample Portfolios
Years 9 and 10
Years 9 and 10 Band Description
In Music, students:
- continue to develop their aural skills as they build on their understanding and use of the elements of music
- extend their understanding and use of more complex rhythms and diversity of pitch and incorporate dynamics and expression in different forms
- extend their use of and identification of timbre to discriminate between different instruments and different voice types
- build on their understanding of their role within an ensemble as they control tone and volume in a range of styles using instrumental and vocal techniques
- extend technical and expressive skills in performance from the previous band
- draw on music from a range of cultures, times and locations as they experience music
- explore the music and influences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and those of the Asia region
- learn that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have converted oral records to other technologies
- learn that over time there has been further development of different traditional and contemporary styles as they explore music forms
- reflect on the development of traditional and contemporary styles of music and how musicians can be identified through the style of their music
- explore meaning and interpretation, forms and elements, and social, cultural and historical contexts of music as they make and respond to music
- evaluate performers’ success in expressing the composers’ intentions and expressive skills in music they listen to and perform
- maintain safety, correct posture and technique in using instruments and technologies
- build on their understanding from previous bands of the roles of artists and audiences as they engage with more diverse music.
Years 9 and 10 Content Descriptions
Years 9 and 10 Achievement Standards
By the end of Year 10, students analyse different scores and performances aurally and visually. They evaluate the use of elements of music and defining characteristics from different musical styles. They use their understanding of music making in different cultures, times and places to inform and shape their interpretations, performances and compositions.
Students interpret, rehearse and perform solo and ensemble repertoire in a range of forms and styles. They interpret and perform music with technical control, expression and stylistic understanding. They use aural skills to recognise elements of music and memorise aspects of music such as pitch and rhythm sequences. They use knowledge of the elements of music, style and notation to compose, document and share their music.