Music in the Senior School (Curriculum)

Year 7 and 8 Music 

Our Year 7 students are putting the finishing touches on their Tetris Composition assessment task, where they have been exploring how musical patterns, motifs and structure can be used creatively to build a cohesive piece. Their compositions show growing confidence in using digital tools and applying the elements of music with intention.

As they complete this unit, students are now beginning their next topic, Instruments of the Orchestra. They will be learning about the families of instruments, how sound is produced, and how composers use orchestral colour to shape musical meaning. This unit includes guided listening, hands‑on exploration and opportunities to apply their new knowledge in performance and composition activities.

In Term 1, our Year 8 students have been working with great focus and energy as they continue developing their guitar skills within the Roots, Rhythm and Legacy unit. Throughout the term, they have been preparing for their Blues Guitar Performance assessment, where they will demonstrate their growing confidence in chord playing, TAB reading and improvisation. It has been wonderful to see students applying their knowledge of the 12‑bar blues and experimenting with expressive musical ideas.

As they complete this unit, students will move into their next topic, Rock Music, later in the term. This unit will introduce them to key stylistic features of rock, influential artists and bands, and the ways in which musical concepts shape the sound of the genre. Students will explore these ideas through listening, performance and creative tasks that build on the skills they have developed so far this year.

Elective Music Year 9 and 10 

Year 9 students are starting an exciting new topic, Music for Small Ensembles, where they will explore how trios, quartets and other chamber groups work together to create balanced, expressive performances. They will investigate the roles of instruments, ensemble communication and the unique musical possibilities that come from performing in smaller groups.

At the same time, students are completing their Ground Bass Composition, drawing on their understanding of repetition, variation and harmonic patterning. Their developing creativity and attention to detail are evident as they refine their pieces and prepare them for submission.

Year 10 students submitted their 20th Century Composition tasks at the end of Term 1, producing a range of pleasing, imaginative and highly individual works. Their compositions demonstrate a growing understanding of motivic development, texture and the distinctive stylistic features of key 20th‑century movements.

As they conclude this unit, students will begin their new topic, Australian Music, with a particular focus on songwriting. They will explore the work of Australian composers and singer‑songwriters, investigate how lyrics and musical elements work together to communicate meaning, and begin crafting their own original songs. This unit offers rich opportunities for creativity, personal expression and developing confidence as young composers.

Senior Music 11 and 12

 Our Year 11 HSC students have made a strong start to their HSC year, engaging deeply with their respective course content.

Music 1 students are exploring the topic Music of a Culture, analysing and appreciating musical traditions from around the world. Through focused listening and discussion, they are examining how different cultures express identity, storytelling and musical meaning through the concepts of music.

Music 2 students are studying 18th‑century music, with a particular focus on classical forms such as theme and variation and sonata form. They are developing their analytical skills as they investigate how composers of the Classical era shaped structure, melody and harmony to create clarity, balance and expressive impact.

Our Year 11 IB students have successfully submitted their Exploring Music in Context (EMIC) portfolios, including their composition and creating statement. This marks a significant milestone in their first year of the Diploma Programme, and the quality of their work reflects their commitment, curiosity and developing musical voice.

With EMIC assessment complete, students are moving into Area of Inquiry 2: Music for Performance, where they will deepen their understanding of stylistic interpretation, performance practice and the role of the performer as communicator. Alongside this, they will begin exploring ideas for their Experimenting with Music (EWM) portfolio, engaging in creative trials, technique development and exploratory processes that will shape their next major assessment task.

Our Year 12 HSC Music 1, 2 and Extension students have been working hard over the holidays to refine their core and elective performance pieces working with their accompanists and ensembles. Music 1 students have been developing ensemble skills through their Music for Small Ensembles unit, collaborating closely to refine balance, cohesion and interpretive choices within their groups. Music 2 students have been exploring the rich and transformative sound world of Music from 1900–1945, working on performances that reflect the innovation and stylistic diversity of this era. Our Music Extension students have been pushing their individual practice even further, shaping highly polished solo and ensemble performances. 

Australian Composers Day 2026

Last year’s Composer’s Day was our most highly attended on record, with guests joining us from across NSW for this important and strategic investment in our aspiring composers. It is a joy to share our resources with peer schools – both from regional communities and around Sydney – and we look forward to hosting this event again in 2026.

This year’s event will take place as a whole day incursion on Monday 4 May and will feature an exciting and diverse line‑up of guest creators, ranging from free‑style rap artist Luka Lesson to leading voices in the Australian composition landscape such as Maria Grenfell and Alice Chance. We are enormously privileged to offer this opportunity to students in Elective Music (Years 9-12), as well as advanced co-curricular musicians from Years 7-12 who participate in Symphony Orchestra or Chamber Choir.

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Message from the Director of Music

Click here to find out more about Co-curricular opportunities, events and performances at Santa Sabina College.

Join a Music Program or Activity

Music ensembles and activities are open for enrolments all year round. It’s a joy to see more students discovering the confidence and connection that music brings. If any of our programs are of interest to you, you can register at any time via the College App or via this shortcut link.  Reach out to our Music office if we can assist in any way.

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A Message from the Director of Music

Click below to find out more about Co-curricular opportunities and Music Performances at Santa Sabina College.