Year 13 Music Technology

In Year 13 we offer two separate music courses. Music Technology (13MUT) is a project based course that provides you with the opportunity to engage with technology and processes associated with music through a focus on more contemporary musical styles. You will work on a major project that will encompass several assessment tasks and likely take the majority of the school year. We aim to make this as authentic as possible and link with current practices in the Music Industry. Making Music (13MUS) has a strong academic focus, explores challenging musical works from a variety of canons, and provides you with a solid foundation of score based works, while also providing you with authentic creative and performance opportunities. There is also a focus on developing material to submit for Scholarship Music. 

You have the option of choosing the course that best fits you as a musician, or may take both courses.

In line with current music education practice, this course aims to develop and further encourage literacy in music through the interweaving of four strands:

• Learning the language of music 

• Developing ideas in music 

• Communicating and interpreting meaning in music 

• Understanding music in context 

Both Year 13 Music courses aim to allow you to develop your skills with a further degree of specialisation as a musician, while still developing a solid foundation of musical understanding across a range of musical contexts. You will have the chance to work individually and in groups, as performers, composers, and musicologists. All styles of music are equally respected and resourced, and time and space is given for you to explore creativity in a safe and positive environment. 

The main focus of this course is to allow you the chance to engage with a major project that is authentic and rooted in current Music Industry practice. In the past we have had a number of students write, record, and release their EP, put on a concert series, create online music content and resources, amongst other interesting projects. 

You will co-construct a personalised programme that is responsive to your musical interests and project requirements. This will include a range of activities from the following list:

• performance as a soloist - students perform two programmes of music on their chosen instrument

• performance as a member of a group - students present a programme as part of an ensemble

• composition - students present three original pieces they have written

• aurally identifying, describing and transcribing music elements from simple music 

• demonstrating knowledge of music works - a range of constrasting music is studied and analysed

• developing independant original research in a music context

• developing skills working with live and recording sound production

Your teacher will work with you to create a balanced programme of Internal and External standards that will support your growth as a musician. 

All assessments are run in conjunction with Wellington Girls' College.

Year 13 Music Technology is a dynamic Project based course that provides students with a diverse range of authentic learning activities. 

You will be mainly working in small groups, and as individuals. You will have the opportunity to utilise the full resources of the Music Department and will be expected to manage your time well when working on larger portfolio style projects. You will be fully supported to explore music in ways that best fit you as a young musician. 

To be successful in this course, you should:

• be prepared to manage their time well when working on larger scale projects

• be prepared to work collaboratively 

• engage with ideas and music outside your comfort zone

• be prepared to perform and present your work in front of your peers 

• be ready to manage yourself in a non-traditional classroom environment

This course is open entry for all students, although some previous musical experience is required, either in Composition or Performance. Consultation with the HOD is required if you have not taken Music at Year 12. All students who take performance standards in Level 3 Music should be learning an instrument with regular tuition, either at school or privately.

As with other portfolio style courses, you must be prepared to meet a number of draft deadlines for feedback prior to final submission of work. 

This is a project-based course in which you may select your own programme of approximately 20 credits from the standards that are offered. Music Technology is a practically-focused class and, while there are no compulsory standards in this course, you will select your programme in consultation with your teacher with a view to having them contribute to their major music project.

NZQA Music Subject Resources

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/subjects/music/levels/

School Policy for NCEA Assessment

You should be aware of the school procedures for NCEA assessment.  They can be found on the school website at this link. There you will find answers to frequently asked questions about how NCEA works as well as guidance about how to apply for extensions, reconsiderations or the process for withdrawing from a standard.

Further information on all assessment standards can be found here: WC Senior Music Website