Rationale

Music is an integral part of all cultures from the earliest of times, expressing and reflecting human experience. Music exists in a myriad of forms, each able to elicit an array of intellectual and emotional responses from its audience. A study of music enables students to strengthen their own relationship with music and to be personally enriched as they develop greater control of their own musical expression.

Music learning requires students’ active engagement in the practices of listening, performing and composing. As they learn in music, students apply critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and critique the work of contemporary and historical practitioners and develop their understanding of the diverse ways in which music ideas can be shaped to communicate artistic and expressive intent. Students also develop insights into the music traditions of contemporary and historical global cultures and form understandings of ways in which music can interact with other arts forms and fields of endeavour.

When students perform the works of other musicians, they develop skills in communicating and in working co- operatively and communally to achieve creative outcomes. Through analysing and responding to the work of other musicians, students develop knowledge of music, skills in critical thinking and greater confidence in written and oral expression. Students use communications and music technologies to achieve considered musical outcomes.

VCE Music equips students with personal and musical skills that enable them to follow pathways into tertiary music study or further training in a broad spectrum of music related careers. VCE Music also offers students opportunities for personal development and encourages them to make an ongoing contribution to the culture of their community through participation in life-long music making.

Aims

This study enables students to:

• develop and practise musicianship

• perform, compose, arrange and improvise music from diverse styles and traditions

• engage with diverse music genres, styles, contexts and practices

• communicate understanding of cultural, stylistic, aesthetic and expressive qualities and

  characteristics of music

• explore and expand personal music interests, knowledge and experiences

• use imagination, creativity and personal and social skills in music making

• access pathways for further education, training and employment in music

• use electronic and digital technologies in making and sharing music and communicating ideas

  about music

• participate in life-long music learning and the musical life of their community.

 

​Structure

The study is made up of four units:
Units 1-4: Music Performance