Skip to content

A NSW Government website

Welcome to the NSW Curriculum website

NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

7–10Music 7–10 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2026
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Content

Stage 4

Composing
Music in practice
  • Improvise and creatively explore musical ideas in response to a stimulus

  • Improvise and experiment to communicate musical ideas

  • Experiment with different ways of combining musical ideas

  • Use a range of sound sources, sound production methods, timbres and digital technologies to improvise, generate, compose, manipulate, arrange, notate and record musical ideas

  • Document musical ideas using notations appropriate to the style

  • Reflect on and document in writing compositional choices and processes

Music in context
  • Explore how conventions of different styles and media can be used to create meaning

  • Create musical ideas reflective of a genre or style

  • Compose music inspired and influenced by Australian works, including Aboriginal music within appropriate local contexts, while working with local Community Knowledge Holders where possible

  • Research cultural, historical and social influences to inform own compositions

  • Compose with a consideration of performer and audience perspectives

  • Adapt pieces of music or their features for new purposes

  • Apply protocols with respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians, Communities and Cultural Knowledges, as well as Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP)

  • Apply the protocols and responsibilities of working safely and respectfully with others

  • Demonstrate understanding of risks and protocols related to information, identity and intellectual property when sharing compositions or other material on public or private forums

Elements of music
Loading...
  • Explore how the elements of music can be used and combined to create and communicate musical ideas through improvising and composing

  • Reflect on the use of the elements of music in own compositions and the compositions of others

Related files