1. Year 12 Subject Selection – MUSIC INVESTIGATION Units 3&4
‘Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.’
Plato

2. Course Description
VCE Music Investigation offers students opportunities to engage in the practice of performing, creating and researching music that is representative of their chosen focus area.
In this unit students select a work from a prescribed list as the basis for their chosen investigation of a Focus Area.
They explore the Focus Area through three complementary areas of study:
Investigation-On completion of this unit the student should be able to evaluate and present their interpretive approach to a program of music works.
Composition/ arrangement/improvisation-perform your original music work and discuss the use of music characteristics, instrumental techniques, performance techniques and conventions in the work based on your Focus Area.
Performance-demonstrate artistic intent and understanding of the Focus Area in a cohesive and engaging performance of music works.

3. 60% of your Study Score are your performance and technical skills.
Why Study this?
60% of your Study Score are your performance and technical skills.
50% of Marks- end of year external performance
10% of Marks- demonstration and explanation of techniques relative to your Focus Area and Performance Program
20% 0f Marks- SAC: Investigation of your chosen Focus Area
20% of Marks- Composition/Arrangement/Improvisation
Unit 3 Work Tasks
Unit 4 Work Tasks
AOS 1 Investigation
Complete a portfolio of tasks that include development of Focus Area Statement, examination of Musical Scores, listening reviews of performances, contextual & historical issues.
AOS 2 Composition/Arrangement/Improvisation
Create a portfolio of tasks that include melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic ideas relevant to your Focus Area, a journal & recordings of your work in progress, and a report using music terminology and language that discusses use of music characteristics, instrumental techniques, performance techniques and conventions of the work in relation to the Focus Area.
AOS 3 Performance
Create a map of selected works including expressive techniques, musical intention, tempo, texture and performance presentation.
Devise and practise technical work/exercises to address performance techniques relevant to your works.
Practise your selected program and prepare a performance
AOS 1 Investigation
Complete a folio of tasks that include research of relevant influences, glossary of relevant musical terms and characteristics of works.
AOS 2 Composition/Arrangement/Improvisation
A performance/recording of your finished work and portfolio of notations
AOS 3 Performance
justify the approach to performing each work in relation to the Focus Statement
prepare notes for an introduction or a narration for practice performance
experiment with presentation techniques typically associated with the Focus Area to develop and rehearse appropriate stagecraft to communicate artistic intent of the program
Devise and practise technical work/exercises to address performance techniques relevant to your works.
Practise your selected program and prepare a performance

4. Unit 3 Assessment Tasks Outcomes Assessment Tasks 20 S/N 5
Marks
Outcome 1-
Demonstrate understanding of performance practices, contexts and influences on music works
Present a report that discuss characteristics, techniques and performance practices of works representative of a Focus Area 20
Outcome 2
Compose, improvise and/or arrange and discuss music characteristics and performance practices
A portfolio of compositions/improvisation/arrangement exercises that demonstrate understanding of the Focus Area
S/N
Performance of selected exercises
Discussion of characteristics of the completed exercises in relationship to research findings from Outcome 1
Outcome 3
Present a performance of music works that communicates understanding of the Focus Area
Performance of technical work and exercises relevant to the Focus Area and describe how the technical work assist with the development of the performance program 5
Prepare a recital performance between 10 and 15 minutes
Unit 3 TOTAL SAC MARKS 25

5. Unit 4 Assessment Tasks Outcomes Assessment Tasks 20 S/N 5
Marks
Outcome 1-
Evaluate and present their interpretive approach to a program of music works
Prepare a two-minute introduction to each work in the performance program, outlining its connection to the Focus Area 20
Evaluations of performances of works
Present a printed performance program
Outcome 2
Compose, improvise and/or arrange and perform a music work and discuss the use of music characteristics instrumental techniques and conventions in the work
Present a composition, improvisation or arrangement of a music work that uses characteristics, performance techniques and other conventions relevant to the Focus Area.
S/N
An explanation of how the work is representative of the Focus Area. The explanation may be in one or more of the following formats: written, oral or multimedia
Outcome 3
Demonstrate artistic intent and understanding of the Focus Area in a cohesive and engaging performance of music works.
Demonstration of performance techniques, technical work and exercises relevant to preparing for performance of a program of works that relate to the Focus Area, and discussion of how this technical work relates to the Focus Area. 5
Performance of a program of selected works that demonstrates application of individual and, as appropriate ensemble, technical, stylistic and expressive techniques and performance conventions to communicate artistic intent in performance of works that are representative of a Focus Area, of a duration between 10 and 15 minutes.
Performance of at least four contrasting works that relate to the Focus Area which underpin the study in Units 3 & 4 of a duration of 25 minutes and presented with a printed performance program with a Focus Statement.
Unit 4 TOTAL SAC MARKS 25

6. Past Nagle students have/are studying
Subject pathway….
VCE Music Investigation leads to further study in many Arts related and other areas.
Past Nagle students have/are studying
Events Management
Music (Jazz, Contemporary)

7. Extra activities/costs?
It is expected that you will have instrumental music lessons in school or the wider community.
There may be opportunity to attend the Top Class Performances in Melbourne of the previous year’s highest scoring students. There will be no charge for this excursion.

8. More information….
Maureen Plunkett