Level 1 Music

Year 11 Music is a course which offers plenty of variety and helps students develop a range of future focused skills. 

Music offers a range of rich learning opportunities which provide students with the opportunity to explore their own musical style.  Confidence and working with others are key, along with resilience, perseverance, presentation skills,  creativity, technology, analysis and research.

Four achievement standards will be offered and students will elect to work towards 3 or 4 of these standards.

PRACTICAL - All students will focus on developing their instrumental skills.  This might also be voice!  We have some amazing tutors who are really experienced at enhancing progress!  Everyone will also work in a group.  This might be a band, a duet, a chamber group, a vocal ensemble or cultural group.   Lots of students say this is their favourite aspect. They love seeing how they improve during the year and how the group learns to work together.  They also love having more input into what kind of pieces they learn or study about.  They also learn to create music and they have control over what genre they want to work on.  Groups usually pick the songs or pieces they work on themselves - it isn't just teacher choice.  

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY - Students will learn about different types of online music technology.  

MAKING MUSIC - Students will learn more about creating music in a variety of contexts - digital, notation based and acoustic.

MUSIC KNOWLEDGE -  is developed by  looking at the history, context, background and genre of two contrasting pieces.

So do I need to be able to read music or play music at an advanced level?

Students do not need to be able to read music to take this class.  Some students will use notation, others will work with digital or tab notation.  Playing by ear is also now a valuable skill in the NCEA standards.

Students DO NOT have to be an advanced musician.  This course gives space to the students to learn and develop their musical skills - we have tutors who support you to become a more confident musician.  Loving music and knowing what you enjoy listening to are just as important.

What skills do you learn in Music?

We are always working on developing our instrumental/voice skills.  Learning an instrument teaches you to develop practice skills along with self discipline and confidence.  Working in a performance group teaches you how to work in a team and builds your self confidence when working with others.  Music knowledge extends your research and analytical skills.  Composition extends your creative thinking and lets you express your own musical ideas.  Performing for others develops your resilience and confidence, and allows you to understand your own performance capability in a supportive environment.  

Great preparation for job interviews, driving tests and presentations!