Information about the HSC - Waverley College

Music II
Overview
Two units for each of the Preliminary and HSC Year Board Developed Course.
In Music II students study: the concepts of music through learning experiences
in performance, composition, musicology and aural within the context of a
range of music styles, periods and genres.
Content
Two areas of study are mandatory, namely for the Preliminary Course, Music
1600 – 1900 and for the HSC course Music of the past 25 years (an
Australian focus). An additional topic is studied each year selected by each
student from a list of twelve. Students can to a large extent tailor the course to
suit their own skills by selecting to specialise in composition, performance or
musicology.
Special
Requirements
All students undertaking this course must be capable of playing an instrument
or singing to a relatively high standard. Students must be fluent in reading and
interpreting musical notation Students will generally need to take private tuition
on voice or an instrument and in addition participate in school ensembles,
Assessment /
Homework
Information
The core components, namely, Aural, Composition, Musicology and
Performance are weighted equally for assessment. Assessment tasks include
score reading and aural analysis, live performance, sight singing and
submitted composition activities. Homework activities involve researching a
topic, composing, and all students are expected to practice their instrument on
a daily basis.
The Higher School Certificate: Preliminary Courses 2012 Page 39
HSC Courses 2013