Macarthur Girls High School offers a high standard of music education to students from Years 7 to 12. Performance forms a significant component of the music learning skill base.
In Music we teach the following courses:
Stage 4 Music:Years 7 & 8 Mandatory: In Years 7 & 8 students have four 72 minute periods of Music per fortnight for a semester.
Students are provided with the opportunity to acquire skills in the areas of performance, composition, aural and musicology through a variety of learning activities. At Macarthur Girls High School, the Music program has been developed to support the following experiences:
Develop in students the ability to perform using a number of instruments (including voice)
Develop aural awareness through participating in a wide range of musical experiences.
Develop through listening, analysing and discussing an understanding of music:
Develop a set of values about music.
Stage 5 Music:Years 9 & 10 Elective Year 9 & 10 students have four 72 minute periods of Music per fortnight for the year.
The Year 9 and 10 Music Course builds on knowledge gained in Year 7 and 8. In Stage 5 Music at Macarthur, students study a variety of musical styles and are provided with the opportunity to extend their musicology, aural, composition and performance skills. It is expected that students who choose to study Music in Stage 5 will specialise on an instrument (or voice) of their choice.
Areas of Study in Stage 5:
Musicianship Development
Performance
Musical Contexts
Technology in Music
Stage 6 Music 1 & 2:Years 11 Preliminary & 12 HSC Elective Year 11 & 12 students have six 72 minute periods of Music per fortnight for the year.
This course caters for students who have diverse musical backgrounds and interests, including those with an interest in popular music. In the Music 1 Course, students study six topics over two years, developing knowledge and skills about the concepts of music, including duration, pitch, dynamics and expressive techniques, tone colour, texture, and structure. The students learn through their experiences in performance, composition, musicology and aural.
All students will perform at least one piece for the HSC examination. Additionally, three electives are chosen from the areas of performance, composition and musicology. The electives must also represent the topics (contexts) studied. Students also complete an external examination in Aural for the HSC examination.
Available topics for study include the following:
Jazz, Music for radio, film, television and multimedia, Methods of Notating Music, Music of a culture, Popular music, Technology and its influence on music, Theatre music, An Instrument and its repertoire.
Course Description:
In the Preliminary and HSC courses, students will study the concepts of music through the learning experiences of performance, composition, musicology and aural within the context of a range of styles, periods and genres.
Main Topics Covered:
Students study three topics in each year of the course. Topics are chosen from a list of 21 that cover a range of styles, periods and genres.
Particular course requirements:
Students choosing to study the HSC Music 1 and Music 2 courses are required to engage in and commit to a personal study and practice plan as they prepare for their internal and external examinations.
Music 1 students do not need to have any prerequisite musical experience, however, it is advised that students have competent skills in performing music on one or more instruments (including voice), and have a passion for music as an art form.
Students electing to study Music 2 and Extension are required to have a proven ability in performing classical and/ or contemporary jazz repertoire on their chosen instrument, as well as a sound understanding of musical notation and score conventions.
HSC course
Music 1: In addition to core studies in performance, composition, musicology and aural, students select three electives from any combination of performance, composition and musicology. These electives must represent each of the three topics studied in the course.
Music 2: In addition to core studies in performance, composition, musicology and aural, students select one elective from performance, composition and musicology. This elective must represent the topics they have studied.
Students selecting Composition electives will be required to compile a portfolio of work as part of the process of preparing a submitted work. The portfolio may be requested by the Board of Studies to validate authorship of the submitted work.
Students are provided with multiple opportunities throughout the school year to showcase their talents and to strengthen their skills, knowledge and understanding of the Creative Arts.
Extra-curricular activities and Performing Opportunities
Students are encouraged to participate in the School Concerts and other performing opportunities that are organised for them each year. Performance opportunities vary each year. Some of the external performances include JesterFest, Celebrating the Arts Festival (Riverside Theatre) and the local nursing home.
Music
Extra-curricular opportunities are available for students in Instrumental ensemble and ensemble vocal performers, MGHS Quartet and Rock Bands (lunchtimes).
Each year a variety of musical items are chosen to be performed at School Music Concerts. Music students also perform at every Recognition Assembly throughout the year, at the annual Presentation Night), at various farewell assemblies (Year 10, Year 12) and the annual Christmas Concert.