Music in the Senior School (Curriculum)

Year 7 Music

Year 7 students have completed their research and analysis of the music of a culture of their choice and have now begun presenting their findings as part of their final assessment. It has been fascinating to see the diverse range of cultures explored and the depth of understanding students have developed. Whether investigating their own cultural heritage or discovering a new tradition, students have approached the task with enthusiasm, curiosity, and genuine interest. We have been incredibly impressed by the quality of their presentations and the insights they have gained through their learning.

Year 8 Music

Year 8 students have completed their research and analysis of a film score and have now commenced their presentations. Through this task, students have developed an understanding of the powerful role music plays in shaping the audience’s emotional experience of a film. They have explored how composers use the musical concepts to create atmosphere, communicate meaning, and evoke specific emotions. It has been wonderful to see students engage thoughtfully with both the music and the storytelling process.

Year 9 Elective Music

Year 9 students are busily preparing for their upcoming performance assessment in Week 4, working closely with their accompanists as they refine their repertoire. As they continue to develop their technical skills and musical interpretation, students are also exploring how to communicate personal expression through performance. We wish them every success as they prepare for this important assessment.

Year 10 Elective Music

Year 10 students submitted their elective project in Week 1 ahead of the examination block. It has been exciting to see students engage so deeply with research, composition, and the creative process. Through a video presentation, students shared their research findings, musical analysis, compositional inspiration, and creative journey. The quality of engagement and commitment demonstrated throughout this project has been outstanding, and students should be extremely proud of their achievements.

Year 11 HSC & IB Music

Year 11 IB Music students are actively preparing for their Contemporary Music Maker Higher Level portfolio. They are currently collaborating with fellow musicians, developing plans for their projects, and engaging in valuable discussions to support their creative work. Alongside this, students are revisiting previous portfolio submissions and preparing for their final assessment of the year, the Experimenting with Music performance explorations. Their dedication and forward planning are setting strong foundations for future success.

Year 11 HSC Music students have commenced the Year 12 course this term and are already embracing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. In Week 6, they will undertake their first HSC assessment, a Performance and Viva Voce task. Students are refining their analytical skills in preparation for the viva component while beginning to select and develop repertoire for their final performance program. Working closely with their accompanists, they are building the skills and confidence needed for success in their HSC studies. We wish them all the very best for this first assessment of their HSC Music journey.

Message from the Director of Music