Music

“Where words fail, music speaks” Hans Christian Anderson

Music is a universal language through which we can express ourselves physically, cognitively, spiritually and emotionally. Learning music provides multiple opportunities for developing a means of creative expression while building   confidence, resilience and collaborative skills when we take the risks involved in performance and composition.

Music connects uniquely with other learning areas: English- songwriting, Science- acoustics, Maths –principles of harmony, structure and rhythm, physical education –physical application of learning an instrument, health education through emotional expression, technology through the learning of sound engineering tools, social sciences through the study of music in its cultural and historical context.

Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences advocates strongly for the integrative learning that occurs when we study and perform music.

HOD Music – Nicola Haddock

Qualifications: B.A., Dip. Tchg, ATCL Saxophone, ATCL Clarinet

Experience: I have been in the music education business for over thirty years, initially working as an instrumental teacher in the private sector, community music schools as well as an itinerant music teacher in Auckland and London. In 2000 I made the decision to retrain as a classroom teacher and opened the door to a whole new world of challenge and reward, delivering the wide-ranging music curriculum, working with bands and ensembles, accompanying choirs, staging musicals and working with countless students as they develop their performance and creative skills. After 11 years as the HOD at Edgewater College, I have taken up the wonderful opportunity to work with the dynamic and dedicated Music team at Mt Roskill Grammar.

Why I teach my subject: There is something undefinable human about Music. Many great minds have tried to analyse why it is that all nations and cultures choose to express themselves through music and there is no single answer. The simple fact remains that I am a great believer in the nourishing value of music: the emotional power, the intellectual stimulation, the joy and the satisfaction of having to work extremely hard to produce something meaningful.

Why I teach at MRGS: Mt Roskill Grammar School operates in a progressive, diverse and exciting environment which enables it to serve its community in all that it does. I am delighted to be a part of a school that really cares about its students and their achievements.

Courses and Pathways

Year 9 Music

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Credits:

N/A

BYOD Recommendations:

Devices with a screen size of 10 inches or more are big enough for music notation software. Smartphones are not suitable.

Who is this course for?

This course is for students who love music and want to gain musical experience by learning to play an instrument at school and then practising daily. In class students gain experience in learning how to play keyboard and guitar while developing their ability to read and write music by hand and by using music technology on devices. From this skill base, students will be able to create performances together and develop their musical awareness and confidence. 

Year 10 Music

Entry Requirements:

To have undertaken at least one year of weekly instrumental tuition an advantage. Students must have weekly lessons on an instrument or voice and have daily access to an instrument for practice.

Credits:

N/A

BYOD Recommendations:

Devices with a screen size of 10 inches or more are big enough for music notation software – smartphones are not suitable. 

Who is this course for?

This course is for students who want to gain further musical experience by continuing to learn an instrument and then develop confidence through playing in a group, then collaborating to create music. They will gain skills in musical technology and literacy on computers and their own devices by  creating their own short songs. By the end of the course they will  become experienced enough to perform music solo.

Year 11 Music

Entry Requirements:

Year 10 Music

Credits:

30 Credits at Level 1

BYOD Recommendations:

A Laptop Computer

Who is this course for?

Students who have had lessons on an instrument or voice for at least 3 years and have an understanding of music notation.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91090 1.1 Perform two pieces of music as a featured soloist INT
AS 91091 1.2 Demonstrate ensemble skills through performing a piece of music as a member of a group INT
AS 91092 1.3 Compose two original pieces of music INT
AS 91094 1.5 Demonstrate knowledge of conventions used in music scores EXT
AS 91095 1.6 Demonstrate knowledge of two music works from contrasting contexts INT

Year 11 Making Music

Entry Requirements:

Successful completion of Year 10 Music Studies including performances

Credits:

20 Credits at Level 1

BYOD Recommendations:

N/A

Who is this course for?

Students who have had lessons on an instrument or voice for at least 1 year.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91090 1.1 Perform two pieces of music as a featured soloist INT
AS 91091 1.2 Demonstrate ensemble skills through performing a piece of music as a member of a group INT
AS 91092 1.3 Compose two original pieces of music INT
Level 1 US 27656 Demonstrate and apply introductory knowledge of music technology equipment and techniques INT
Level 1 US 26687 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of sound technology for a performance context INT

Year 12 Music Studies

Entry Requirements:

12 credits in 11MSS1. At least 4th year learning an instrument.

Credits:

24-41 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

Laptop Computer or Chromebook

Who is this course for?

Experienced performers who also wish to gain further theory knowledge so that they can compose, arrangeand analyse music.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91270 2.1 Perform two substantial pieces of music as a featured soloist INT
AS 91274 2.2 Perform a substantial piece of music as a featured soloist INT
AS 91272 2.3 Demonstrate ensemble skills by performing a substantial piece of music as a member of a group INT
AS 91271 2.4 Compose two substantial pieces of music INT
AS 91279 2.6 Demonstrate knowledge of conventions in a range of music scores EXT
AS 91273 2.8 Devise an instrumentation for an ensemble. INT
AS 91278 2.9 Investigate an aspect of New Zealand music. INT
US 27657 Demonstrate knowledge us of the development of music technology equipment and techniques INT
US 27658 Demonstrate and apply us knowledge of electronic music and music notation applications INT

Year 12 Making Music

Entry Requirements:

12 credits in Year 11 achievement in performance and music technology, 4th year learning an instrument.

Credits:

20-27 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

Laptop Computer or Chromebook

Who is this course for?

Experienced performers who also wish to gain further practical knowledge in music technology involving the recording, mixing and sequencing of music while gaining skills in composition.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91270 2.1 Perform two substantial pieces of music as a featured soloist INT
AS 91274 2.2 Perform a substantial piece of music as a featured soloist INT
AS 91272 2.3 Demonstrate ensemble skills by performing a substantial piece of music as a member of a group INT
AS 91271 2.4 Compose two substantial pieces of music. INT
AS 91278 2.9 Investigate an aspect of New Zealand music INT
US 27657 Demonstrate knowledge of the development of music technology equipment and techniques INT
US 27658 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of electronic music and music notation applications INT

Year 13 Music Studies

Entry Requirements:

12 Credits in Year 12MSS2, 4th year learning an instrument.

Credits:

24-54 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

A Laptop Computer

Who is this course for?

Experienced performers who also wish to deepen their theory knowledge so that they can compose and analyse music in enough depth for tertiary study.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91416 3.1 Perform two programmes of music as a featured soloist INT
AS 91417 3.2 Perform a programme of music as a featured soloist on a second instrument. INT
AS 91418 3.3 Demonstrate ensemble skills by performing two substantial pieces of music as a member of a group. INT
AS 91419 3.4 Communicate musical intention by composing three original pieces of music. INT
AS 91420 3.5 Integrate aural skills into written representation EXT
AS 91421 3.6 Demonstrate understanding of harmonic and tonal conventions in a range of music scores. EXT
AS 91422 3.7 Analyse a substantial music work INT
AS 91424 3.9 Create two arrangements for an ensemble INT
AS 91425 3.10 Research a music topic. INT
AS 91849 3.11 Compose three original songs that express imaginative thinking. INT

Year 13 Making Music

Entry Requirements:

12 credits in 12MKM2, 5th year learning an instrument.

Credits:

24-38 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

Laptop Computer or Chromebook

Who is this course for?

Experienced performers who wish to gain entry to foundational tertiary courses involving performance.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91416 3.1 Perform two programmes of music as a featured soloist INT
AS 91417 3.2 Perform a programme of music as a featured soloist on a second instrument. INT
AS 91418 3.3 Demonstrate ensemble skills by performing two substantial pieces of music as a member of a group. INT
Either: AS 91419 3.4 Communicate musical intention by composing three original pieces of music. INT
Or: Level 2 AS 91271 2.4 Compose two substantial pieces of music. INT
AS 91849 (optional) 3.11 Compose three original songs that express imaginative thinking. INT

Aaron Havealeta

Subject I have taken: I am completing a music studies course

Why I am studying this subject: I am studying music because I have always had a passion for music. I get excited for what’s up and coming everyday at school in music. I have been playing the trumpet for 8 years now and I’m still looking forward to seeing what’s there for me in the future. Every Sunday afternoon the brass band I attend to at the Tongan Methodist Church always leads the service when hymns are being played and when concerts or fundraising events occur.

What this subject offers me: Taking music at Mt Roskill grammar school offers me plenty of opportunities like gaining NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3 credits and contests like the KBB contest around August every year and open doors for the future like to university and other opportunities.

Why I love this subject: I love taking this subject because it helps me improve in my knowledge about the theory of music. This subjects has a big impact on my playing skills, I develop a lot when you pick up new ideas of ways on how you play and the type of technique.