VCE+MUSIC+2011

From 2011, the VCE music course will be changed, here is a outline of the new study design.

  Please Note: This study summary comprises excerpts from the VCE Music Study Design. The summary is not a substitute for the VCE Study Design. Users are advised to consult the VCAA website ( [] ) to view the full accredited Study Design and other resources.

Structure The study is made up of ten units: • Music Performance Units 1, 2, 3 and 4 • Music Investigation Units 3 and 4 • Music Style and Composition Units 1, 2, 3 and 4 Students may enroll in all units or select specific combinations of units that cater for their interests and intended pathways. Each unit contains between two and four areas of study. The following diagram outlines the structure of VCE Music 2011–2015:



Entry Requirements
 * There are no prerequisites for entry to Units 1, 2 and 3 for Music Performance or Music Style and Composition, or for entry to Unit 3 of Music Investigation.
 * Students must undertake Unit 3 prior to undertaking Unit 4 in these studies.
 * Students are strongly recommended to undertake Units 3 and 4 Music Performance before or in the same year that they undertake Units 3 and 4 Music Investigation.
 * Music Performance Units 1 to 4 and Music Style and Composition Units 1 to 4 are designed to a standard equivalent to the final two years of secondary education.
 * Music Investigation Units 3 and 4 are designed for students with considerable music experience.

And In music performance units 1 and 2, students are required to undertake solo performance and as an member in group performance, however, the balance of the two components can be decided by the school or the student's choice.

What is Music investigation?


 * 1) No Aural and theory tests
 * 2) Students choose a music work from the prescribed list of solo/group performance work
 * 3) Students choose a focus area (etc, particular techniques in performance or composition in relation to the style of the work) through three complementary areas of study: Investigation, Composition/arrangement/improvisation and Performance
 * Area of Study 1, Investigation involves research into background contextual issues relevant to performance practice, critical listening to recordings of performances and examination of texts including musical scores.
 * Area of Study 2, Composition/arrangement/improvisation involves applying these research findings to create a folio of exercises, sketches or recorded improvisations that demonstrate understanding of the characteristics of the Focus Area.
 * Area of study 3, Students plan, rehearse and perform a program of works that are representative of the Focus Area and in doing so develop relevant instrumental and performance techniques and apply performance practices.

Music Style and Composition:



For more detailed information, please refre to the new Study design: 2011 VCE MUSIC