11–12Music 1 11–12 Syllabus (2025)

Students will perform one piece of music using an instrument and/or their voice.

The performance piece must be drawn from one of the focus areas: Music across cultures, traditions and time OR Music for screen, stage and story. The focus area chosen for the Core: Performance examination must be different to that chosen for the Elective.

The maximum performance time will be 5 minutes. Pieces that exceed 5 minutes will be in breach of examination rules. The HSC markers will stop performances that go over time.

Marking guidelines for the Core: Performance examination will be available to download from the Teaching and learning support tab.

Students will perform one piece of music using an instrument and/or their voice. The performance must be in contrast to the piece performed for the Core: Performance examination. Pieces may contrast in period, genre, mood or style.

The maximum performance time will be 5 minutes. Pieces that exceed 5 minutes will be in breach of examination rules. The HSC markers will stop performances that go over time.

Marking guidelines for the Elective: Performance examination will be available to download from the Teaching and learning support tab.

To meet maximum performance time requirements, selected pieces may be shortened through edits. When editing for this purpose, teachers and students should consider preserving musical continuity and a sense of cohesion in the piece.

Students can present two short pieces of repertoire by one composer as a single performance. For example, for the core performance, a student can present two movements from a work, or two songs from the same song cycle, provided that the maximum time limit is not exceeded.

There is no advantage or disadvantage to playing from memory. Students may use music in print or digital form during the examination. Photocopied music or digitally displayed music is permitted with the usual copyright restrictions and regulations observed.

For the purpose of the HSC examination the term ‘ensemble’ refers to any piece presented by two or more performers that specifically demonstrates each individual student’s use and understanding of ensemble skills. In ensemble performances the student is permitted to undertake a non-solo part, provided that the musical contribution can be clearly identified in the performance. The specific parts of the ensemble do not need to be equal. It is important to consider how the choice of piece allows the student to demonstrate the outcomes related to performance.

For the purpose of the HSC examination a solo piece is where an instrument and/or voice is featured as distinct and plays a central musical role. A solo piece may be accompanied by one or more instruments.

Accompaniment may be one of the following:

• live
• prerecorded
• both live accompaniment with prerecorded accompaniment.

The accompaniment must be in support of the students’ performance. Accompanists are not marked as part of the performance.

When using live accompaniment, a teacher may take on the role of an accompanist.

When using a prerecorded accompaniment, the student’s part must be clearly audible and not replicated on the recording. It may contain similar musical material, provided the student’s part remains distinct. Prerecorded backing tracks should be of good audio quality with a balance between the performer(s) and the backing track that is suitable for the performance space. A click track may be used.

Only performers and markers are permitted in the examination venue. Ensemble members, accompanists and page turners are permitted for the duration of the piece in which they are involved.

Students will compose and submit one original composition as an audio recording.

The composition must be drawn from the focus area: Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus).

The maximum composition length will be 3 minutes.

Marking guidelines for the Core: Submitted composition will be available to download from the Teaching and learning support tab.

Students will compose and submit one original composition as an audio recording.

The composition must be drawn from one of the focus areas: Music across cultures, traditions and time OR Music for screen, stage and story. The focus area chosen must be different to that chosen for the Core: Performance examination.

The composition must be in contrast to the piece submitted for the Core: Submitted composition. Pieces may contrast in period, genre, mood or style.

The maximum length of the Elective: Submitted composition length will be 3 minutes.

Marking guidelines for the Elective: Submitted composition will be available to download from the Teaching and learning support tab.

For the purpose of the Higher School Certificate examination, the term ‘composition’ applies to original works. The composition should reflect an understanding of Music context and Music language in the Music 1 course.

For both the Core and Elective compositions, students must submit an audio recording of the complete work.

Audio recordings:

• must be audible so that all aspects of the composition are clearly identifiable
• may be made from live performances and/or generated from the sound files of music composition software.

The skill of the musician(s) performing or the use of software in the audio recording will neither advantage nor disadvantage the student. If using live performance, schools do not need to seek permission relating to who performs the composition(s).

Students are required to keep a Composition log to document the creative process they have used to develop their Core composition and, if relevant, their Elective composition. The Composition log(s) should document progress over time, and show evidence of creative choices made.

The Composition log may be used as part of school-based assessment. It is not submitted for external assessment but may be requested by NESA to verify a student’s work.

The musicology viva voce is a two-way discussion between marker and student.

The musicology viva voce must be drawn from one of the focus areas: Music across cultures, traditions and time OR Music for screen, stage and story. The focus area chosen must be different to that chosen for the Core: Performance examination.

Students will prepare and present one viva voce.

The viva voce length will be 10 minutes. Viva voces that exceed 10 minutes will be in breach of examination rules. The HSC markers will stop discussions that go over time. Musical examples should be used judiciously within the time limit.

The musicology viva voce consists of:

• analysis of the selected repertoire within the selected focus area
• integration of Music context and Music language
• supporting statements with relevant musical examples.

Musical examples may include cued recordings, digital media, scores and/or use of an instrument/voice to demonstrate relevant musical points.

No cue cards, digital slides or prepared notes are to be brought into the examination.

Students must present one copy of their Musicology Viva Voce Outline Summary sheet to markers and may keep a copy of the same document for use during the examination. The Musicology Viva Voce Outline Summary sheet is available for download on Schools Online.

Marking guidelines for the Elective: Musicology viva voce will be available to download from the Teaching and learning support tab.

Music 1 students must complete and sign a Student Declaration Form for all HSC practical examinations (performances and submitted works). The Student Declaration Form can be downloaded from Schools Online and states that the planning, development, content and presentation of the submitted work or performance is the students’ own work. Supervising teachers must certify the student’s practical examinations and sign each student’s Student Declaration Form.

For the purpose of certification, supervising teachers must keep documented evidence to validate the authenticity and integrity of a student’s work. Supervising teachers may draw on the student’s Composition log, as well as observations and discussions, to maintain the documented evidence of the student’s work throughout the HSC year. Documented evidence and Composition logs are not submitted to NESA however may be requested in exceptional circumstances where the markers require further information or where non-certification is submitted to NESA by the teacher.

Judgements about students’ ownership of work should not be impacted by the provision of adjustments for students with disability during the development of the HSC practical examinations.

For further information about certification and practical examination rules, see:

• ACE 2.5.2 Certifying and submitting HSC projects, submitted works and performances
• Certifying HSC practical components
• Practical exam rules.

Some students with disability may require adjustments in the development of the practical tasks or submitted works. Decisions about adjustments can be made by the school in collaboration with the student and parents/carers. More information about adjustments can be found on the NESA website:

• Students with disability
• Adjustments.

Where a student’s disability impacts their functioning in the practical tasks, schools will need to apply through NESA’s HSC exam provisions program. More information about HSC exam provisions can be found on the NESA website:

• HSC exam provisions
• ACE 6.1 HSC exam provisions program.

Schools may also request that an examiner/marker be made aware of a specific impact of a student’s disability, so that a student’s disability can be noted when conducting the practical examination. The ‘Examiner/marker aware’ provision does not involve variation to the marking guidelines. More information about the ‘Examiner/marker aware’ provision can be found on the NESA website.

Students undertaking Music Life Skills are not required to undertake the performance examinations or submitted works for Music. Where it is meaningful and appropriate for students undertaking Music Life Skills to complete one or more performances and be viewed by markers, schools should contact NESA’s music coordinator by the end of Term 2 of the examining year. Contact details can be found below:

Music Coordinator
Marking and Quality NESA
Email: hscpracticals@nesa.nsw.edu.au

Markers will not provide feedback on these individual performances.

Performance examinations, and the musicology viva voce, will be administered and marked at special centres or schools in August/September. More information can be found on the NESA website: HSC practical exams.

Schools will be notified of their particular marking dates and times via Schools Online. Principals and HSC Music teachers will receive an email when this information is made available. Detailed information for teachers preparing for HSC Music performance examinations and musicology viva voce is provided to schools close to the exam date. Specific requirements for the examination may vary from year to year. As such, teachers and schools must ensure they follow the instructions provided by NESA for the examination’s current year.

HSC Music teachers should have a Schools Online profile with appropriate access. They are also required to supply their email address to receive communications directly from NESA. Teachers should see their principal to ensure they have been provided with the appropriate access to their school’s Schools Online account.

Teachers should ensure they have the following documents prepared before the day of the examinations and available for markers:

• Timetable of Music Practical Exams. More information can be found in the Music Preparation Guide via Schools Online > Downloads > Memos and Documents > HSC Practical Examinations Advice.
• Performance Summary Forms and Musicology Viva Voce Outline Summary Forms (if relevant), which can be downloaded from Schools Online > Downloads > Memos and Documents > HSC Practical Examinations Advice.
• Illness/misadventure details if relevant.

The marking team will usually comprise 2 or 3 markers who will wear an official NESA ID card with their photograph displayed. Other NESA officers may also attend for part or the entire program, and will identify themselves to the school on arrival. Teachers must ensure that students are well briefed about how the performance examinations will be conducted.

The use of electronic instruments must be considered in the same way as any conventional instrument for performance and not as a device for programming sound. Electronic instruments may be used as solo instruments or as an accompaniment or as part of an ensemble.

Examples of electronic instruments include:

• synthesisers
• digital-controlled instruments (sequencers, drum machines, electronic percussion and samplers)
• recorded accompaniment
• looping pedals and launchpads.

Electronic instruments must be appropriate to the performance with no pre-programmed material or connection to the internet. Broadcast capability must be enabled.

It is not necessary to seek permission to use standard orchestral instruments, band instruments or piano. Teachers should contact NESA to seek advice and permission if their students wish to use less conventional musical instruments or sound sources in the examinations:

Music Coordinator
Marking and Quality NESA
Email: hscpracticals@nesa.nsw.edu.au

Teachers and students are advised that the use of laptops, tablets and mobile phones are permitted in HSC Music performance examinations. If a digital device is used for backing tracks, it must:

• be in flight mode and disconnected from the internet
• have an appropriate docking system or connection available in the examination room (itinerant centres only)
• be of good sound quality
• contain the accompaniment to be used in a separate folder or file for each examination component.

Where a student intends to use a digital device, the student must advise HSC markers prior to their examination and demonstrate that the device is in flight mode and the wi-fi is turned off.

The use of technology should not delay the examination process. Sound and balance checks should be carried out before the examination begins. Sound mixing and/or effects devices may be used during the examination provided they are operated by the student. Students’ programs should be scheduled to allow students to use the same technology without delaying the examination process.

Formal applications to NESA for illness/misadventure in relation to the Performance examination and/or musicology viva voce cannot be made until the HSC performance/viva voce date. For internal school assessment teachers should follow their school policy and guidelines.

If an illness/misadventure application is sought on the day of the Performance examination(s) and/or musicology viva voce due to the absence of a student, the school must advise NESA, and have the students complete an illness/misadventure form. HSC examinations will not be rescheduled due to illness or misadventure.

For more information about practical HSC examinations see Understanding HSC practical exams.

Compositions must be submitted as MP3 files.

Each composition should have a completed Coversheet (schools can download this via Schools Online > Memos and Documents > HSC Project Uploads).

Schools are required to upload and certify their students’ compositions via Schools Online. Submission instructions can be found via Schools Online > Memos and Documents > HSC Project Uploads.

For more information about practical HSC examinations see Understanding HSC practical exams.