Music (ATAR)

Course Code: AEMUS/ATMUS
Domain: The Arts
Timetable: Semester 1 and 2
Length of Course: 2 Years

Unit Information

Music is an aural art form that involves the exploration, organisation and manipulation of sound and silence.
Music has the capacity to engage, inspire and enrich students, stimulating imaginative and innovative
responses and fostering critical thinking and aesthetic understanding. Music is processed through aural
discrimination, memory and emotional response, all of which interact with each other and with physical
processes as a means of perceiving, learning, composing and performing.

Students listen, perform, improvise, compose and analyse music, developing skills to confidently engage
with a diverse array of musical experiences both independently and collaboratively. Through continuous
sequential music learning, students develop music knowledge, skills and understanding to create,
communicate and evaluate music ideas with increasing depth and complexity. Students are encouraged to
reach their creative and expressive potential, communicating ideas with current and emerging technologies.

Music is an expression of human experience and has a universal place in every culture across the globe and
throughout history. Studying music provides the basis for significant lifelong engagement and enjoyment,
and fosters understanding and respect for all music and music practices across different times, places,
cultures and contexts.

The Music (ATAR) course encourages students to explore a range of musical experiences through a choice of
different musical contexts. The course consists of a written component and a practical component,
incorporating the following content areas: Aural and theory, Composition and arrangement, Cultural and
historical analysis, and Performance. Students can choose to perform on voice or instrument in a choice of
four contexts: Western Art Music, Jazz, Contemporary Music and Music Theatre, and/or submit a
composition portfolio to fulfil the requirements of the practical component. The Music ATAR course provides
an opportunity for creative expression, the development of aesthetic appreciation and the pleasure and
satisfaction that comes from listening to and making music independently and collaboratively with others.
Studying music may also provide a pathway for further training and employment in a range of professions
within the music industry.

Year 11

Unit One

Across the two units, students extend and apply their skills, knowledge and understanding of music to create, communicate and evaluate music ideas with increasing depth and complexity. They continue to develop and consolidate aural and music literacy skills, learning how the elements of music can be applied, combined and manipulated when listening, performing, composing and analysing music. 

Students explore how social, cultural and historical factors shape music, developing an understanding of music conventions and practices in the specific context selected for study. They apply critical listening and thinking skills and develop aesthetic understanding through comparing and analysing musical works. 

Students are encouraged to reach their creative and expressive potential, developing skills and stylistic awareness to confidently engage in music making as performers and/or composers and audience members, both individually and collaboratively. 

Unit Two

Across the two units, students extend and apply their skills, knowledge and understanding of music to
create, communicate and evaluate music ideas with increasing depth and complexity. They continue to
develop and consolidate aural and music literacy skills, learning how the elements of music can be applied,
combined and manipulated when listening, performing, composing and analysing music.

Students explore how social, cultural and historical factors shape music, developing an understanding of
music conventions and practices in the specific context selected for study. They apply critical listening and
thinking skills and develop aesthetic understanding through comparing and analysing musical works.

Students are encouraged to reach their creative and expressive potential, developing skills and stylistic
awareness to confidently engage in music making as performers and/or composers and audience members,
both individually and collaboratively.

Year 12

Unit Three

Across the two units, students extend and apply their skills, knowledge and understanding of music to
create, communicate and evaluate music ideas with increasing depth and complexity. They continue to
develop and consolidate aural and music literacy skills, learning how the elements of music can be applied,
combined and manipulated when listening, performing, composing and analysing music.

Students explore how social, cultural and historical factors shape music, developing an understanding of
music conventions and practices in the specific context selected for study. They apply critical listening and
thinking skills and develop aesthetic understanding through comparing and analysing musical works.

Students are encouraged to reach their creative and expressive potential, developing skills and stylistic
awareness to confidently engage in music making as performers and/or composers and audience members,
both individually and collaboratively.

Unit Four

Across the two units, students extend and apply their skills, knowledge and understanding of music to
create, communicate and evaluate music ideas with increasing depth and complexity. They continue to
develop and consolidate aural and music literacy skills, learning how the elements of music can be applied,
combined and manipulated when listening, performing, composing and analysing music.

Students explore how social, cultural and historical factors shape music, developing an understanding of
music conventions and practices in the specific context selected for study. They apply critical listening and
thinking skills and develop aesthetic understanding through comparing and analysing musical works.

Students are encouraged to reach their creative and expressive potential, developing skills and stylistic
awareness to confidently engage in music making as performers and/or composers and audience members,
both individually and collaboratively.

Pathway Information

Tertiary

Workforce

Students undertaking this course may wish to consider tertiary studies in:

  • Bachelor of Music
  • Diploma of Music Industry

This course suits direct workforce entry into the following:

  • Musician
  • Composer
  • Music Tutor
  • Audiovisual Technician

Additional Information

Estimated Charges: $140 per year

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