11–12Music 1 11–12 Syllabus (2025)
The new Music 1 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2027 and will replace the Music 1 Stage 6 Syllabus (2009).
2026
- Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
2027, Term 1
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 11
- Start implementing the new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
- Continue to teach the Music 1 Stage 6 Syllabus (2009) for Year 12
2027, Term 4
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 12
- Start implementing the new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2028
- First HSC examination for the new syllabus
Content
Year 12
Students explore how music serves a specific purpose within artistic, social or communicative contexts in ONE chosen context from the list below:
- Music for visual media
- Music for theatre
- Music for dance
- Music for entertainment
- Music for ritual and ceremony
- Music for communication and storytelling.
Students perform, compose, listen, analyse and respond to explore how musical conventions, techniques and expression contribute to the ways music functions in broader artistic, social or narrative contexts. Through the study of selected repertoire they identify and analyse how stylistic and structural features of music shape meaning, emotion and narrative. Students identify musical features, evaluate compositional and performance decisions, and consider how these, together with expressive techniques inform dramatic and narrative functions.
Consolidate technical control to perform with fluency and stylistic awareness
Use performance techniques, phrasing, articulation and expressive elements to shape personal interpretation
Adjust performance in response to phrasing, balance and tempo in solo or ensemble settings
Evaluate and refine performance through analysis of recordings, reflection and feedback
Identify the use of Compositional language and stylistic influences in selected repertoire
Use aural skills to identify and describe tonal centres, harmonic progressions, rhythmic groupings and phrasing
Interpret and analyse Notational language appropriate to the selected repertoire
Analyse how musical features contribute to dramatic purpose, narrative and emotional impact
Evaluate the use of Compositional language to enhance musical intent, dramatic effect and emotional impact using appropriate music terminology
Compare different interpretations of repertoire to examine how performance choices and contexts shape meaning
Evaluate composition through reflection and feedback
Refine musical ideas to strengthen stylistic coherence and expressive clarity
Explain how expressive aims are realised through the structure
Document ideas, reflections and refinements as part of the compositional process