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NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

7–10Music 7–10 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation in 2026

Rationale

Music is a form of personal and cultural expression that occupies a significant place in global cultures and histories. It can define and express identities, shape and comment on community values, and has the capacity to engage, inspire, enrich and transform the lived experiences of students.

Music fosters an understanding of continuity and change, connecting cultures, times and regions. As students develop a deeper understanding of music, they draw on histories, practices, technologies and personal experiences to perform, compose and appreciate music. Students explore and experience Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, and the diversity of influences and styles in Australian music.

Students engage with the elements of music through performing, listening and composing a range of musical repertoire. They develop musical literacies as they sing, play instruments, improvise, compose, read notations, record, analyse and appreciate music, enabling the development of aural and theoretical skills. Engagement with the expressive, cultural and aesthetic value of music enriches students’ musical understanding, supports them to appreciate music more deeply and enhances the development of their creative thinking and expression.

The study of Music in Years 7–10 supports intellectual stimulation, neurological development, exploration of values, development of creativity and the expression of emotion. It combines the development of affective, cognitive, psychomotor, personal and social competencies in the act of making, understanding, appreciating and enjoying music. The transferable skills developed through the study of Music support students to follow a broad range of pathways and professions.