Study of Music Works

You will study two pieces of music to prepare for this external standard. Your teacher will provide you with atleast one of these and you will study it as a class. 

Demonstrate understanding involves:

• the study of two substantial contrasting music works from different styles and/or eras

• investigation of the contexts in which the music works were composed or performed

• explanation of musical elements and features of the works supported by examples

• accurate reference to the score of at least one music work.

Demonstrate in-depth understanding involves:

• providing details supported by explanations and/or musical examples

• accurate and detailed reference to the score of at least one work

Demonstrate comprehensive understanding involves:

• perceptive selection of significant details backed up by pertinent explanations and/or musical examples

• showing insight and making meaningful connections between aspects of the musical work being studied

Substantial music involves:

• the music being of some significance and/or complexity.  Several short works by the same composer(s) may be combined to represent a substantial work(eg an album of short songs)

• a representative section of an extended work is appropriate (eg one movement of a symphony).

Contrasting contexts involves:

• historical, social and/or cultural contexts in which the work was composed and/or performed, eg medieval, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, twentieth or twenty-first century ‘art’ music, traditional forms of Māori music, music of other cultures, popular, rock, jazz, music theatre, music for film

• composer(s) and/or performer(s) associated with the work

• purpose and/or function (eg commissioned works, film music, whakapapa (genealogical narrative)).

Musical elements and features refer to:

• elements (eg harmony, timbre, texture, form)

• compositional devices (eg motif, riff, inversion, fragmentation, diminution)

• performance practices (eg articulation, swung quavers, improvisation)

• sound production technologies (eg reverb, panning, sound properties of acoustic instruments/taonga pūoro and electric/digital instruments)

• notation/transmission conventions (eg graphic score, figured bass, jazz/rock chord symbols, oral narrative).

Traditional and contemporary forms of Māori music may be used for assessment against this standard.

Score refers to a conventionally notated or graphic score.

The assessment criteria must be applied to provide an overall judgment based on the weight of evidence across the study of both music works.

This is an external assessment that is completed during the NCEA Examination period. 

This external assessment is worth 4 NCEA L2 Credits

This assessment activity requires you to analyse a substantial music work. You will deliver your findings in a method of presentation that best suits your strengths – you could create a written analysis, create a digital submission, present a seminar with a slideshow, or use a combination of these. You will be assessed on how perceptively you have analysed the how the structural and compositional devices have combined to communicate the style and meaning of the music work. 

Substantial means that the music work has significance and/or complexity in the chosen style or era. 

Traditional forms of Maori music may be used for assessment against this standard.

Analyse involves explaining musical elements and features, compositional and structural devices in order to show understanding of the style and structure of the work.

Critically analyse involves discussing how musical elements and features, and compositional and structural devices contribute to the style and musical meaning of the work.

Perceptively analyse involves evaluating how musical elements and features, and compositional and structural devices are combined to communicate the style and musical meaning of the work.

This assessment task will require you to complete the following:

1. Demonstrate your understanding of how the following elements and features are used in the work you have studied: (Approx. 600 words)

• Structure 

• compositional devices

• Texture

• Tonality and modulation

• Thematic material and development

• Timbral features

2. Analyse in detail how the musical elements of your music work are typical or atypical of the style or genre.  (Approx. 600 words)

3. Analyse in detail how two musical elements have been used to contribute to the musical meaning (including expressiveness, impact, and style) of the work. (Approx. 600 words)

This assessment is worth 4 NCEA L3 Credits

This achievement standard involves examining the influence of context on a substantial music work.

Examine the influence of context on a substantial music work involves an explanation of ways in which aspects of context shape the conception, production, and interpretation of the music work.

Examine in depth the influence of context on a substantial music work involves a detailed explanation of ways in which aspects of context shape the conception, production, and interpretation of the music work.

Examine perceptively the influence of context on a substantial music work involves an insightful explanation of ways in which aspects of context combine to shape the conception, production, and interpretation of the music work.

Context refers to:

• cultural (e.g. artefacts, taonga, customs, rituals)

• social (e.g. occasions, ceremonies, celebrations, worship, values, political)

• historical (e.g. time, era, period)

• aesthetic and/or individual (e.g. taste and disposition)

• geographical (e.g. place, environment, change of environment).

Conception refers to why the music has been created, its inspiration, and the purpose or conditions which led to it being realised (composed or performed).

Production refers to the processes used in making and realising the music, including use of technologies (electronic and acoustic), presentation and/or staging, and people and/or personalities.

Interpretation refers to the effects, function, and transmission (eg CD, concert, marae performance) of the music.

The examination of the music work may include:

• compositional aspects (e.g. ideas, techniques/devices, form, function)

• performance aspects (e.g. conventions/practices, interpretation, communicative aspects, techniques)

• material and mechanical production aspects (e.g. instruments, taonga pūoro, tools, the ways in which sound is produced and reproduced)

• acoustical aspects (e.g. physical performance environment, instrument qualities, qualities of live or recorded sound, modifications and effects).

The examination of context may include a comparison of different interpretations of the same work.

Substantial means that the music work has significance and/or complexity in the chosen style or era. Shorter works by the same composer(s) may be combined within a style or era.

This is an externally assessed standard and will be completed during the NCEA Examination period. 

This external assessment is worth 4 NCEA L3 Credits