MUSIC HONOURS PROGRAM

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1 THE GAP STATE HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC HONOURS PROGRAM (Formerly AMPed Accelerated Music Program)

2 The Music Honours Program (formerly AMPed - Accelerated Music Program) demonstrates Music theory into BEST practice. An integrated approach from both Instrumental and Classroom music, the Music Honours Program focuses on academic excellence through extension studies in music theory, to gain deeper knowledge and understanding of the language of music. This is then applied at a higher level through the dimensions of musicology, composing and performing. What is Music Honours? Students gain external accreditation for their theory studies through undertaking Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) exams. The Gap SHS is the only school that offers this initiative and students will study, during classroom lesson time, for AMEB Theory exams which will be undertaken at school. The students must pass these exams to be eligible to stay in the program. In addition to the academic rigour that such theoretic study demands, the Music Honours Program embeds ICT learning through the use of industry standard Music software throughout the course. The Music Honours Program curriculum has been developed such that it integrates learning experiences within the Instrumental and Classroom Music programs and mandates participation in Instrumental music as a prerequisite to joining the Music Honours Program. Students must be active members of the school ensemble program to be involved in this course. As such, students are expected to attend all lessons, take part in all performances involving their ensembles, and are strongly encouraged to attend the performances involving the advanced ensembles as these model standards that the students must work to attain.

3 Phase 1 - Music Honours Years 7, 8 and 9 The first phase of Music Honours commences as a three year course of music study during Years 7, 8 and 9. Music Honours students are placed in a form class which allows them to undertake all Year 7 and 8 subjects together under the instruction of a variety of specialist teachers. In a Music Honours class, however, all students have Instrumental Music lessons as a common interest and commitment and all students study music in Year 7 for 3 lessons per week and Year 8 and 9 for 4 lessons per week all year. A Two Phase Program In Year 7 Music Honours students complete the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) first grade theory examination in addition to the study of musicology, composition and performance mandated by the Australian Curriculum. Students must attend one 35 minute Instrumental Music lesson per week on a rotational basis through the scheduled day. In addition, participation in an ensemble rehearsal of an hour length is mandated for each student similar to those already conducted and participated in during primary school. N.B. Music Honours students study Music for the entire year and do not rotate into the second Arts elective offered other Year 7 students Visual Arts. Students in Music Honours utilise the Bring Your Own Device (BYOX) program and work closely with Music technology including ipads in Year 7.

4 A Two Phase Program In Year 8 Music Honours students complete the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Second Grade theory examination in addition to the study of musicology, composition and performance mandated by the Australian Curriculum. Students must attend one 35 minute Instrumental Music lesson per week on a rotational basis through the scheduled day. In addition, participation in an ensemble rehearsal of an hour length is mandated for each student. In addition, Year 8 Music Honours students undertake studies of other Arts electives such as Drama and Visual Art as well as Technology subjects for a term each to provide an insight into other elective subject choices that are options for subject selection in Year 9. All Music Honours students continue with their music studies into Year 9 with the same time allocations. However, Music Honours becomes one of the student s elective subjects. In Year 9 students must complete Third Grade AMEB theory studies in addition to the study of musicology, composition and performance mandated by the Australian Curriculum. The commitment to Instrumental Music lessons, ensemble rehearsals and performances must remain at a high level.

5 PHASE 2 Music Honours Year 10 Following the successful completion of mandatory benchmarking aspects of the first phase of the course, students may be offered a place in the second phase of the course; the Music Honours Extension Course for Year 10. The benchmarks to enter this extension phase are as follows: A Two Phase Program Successful completion of First, Second and Third Grade AMEB theory with the minimum achievement of a Credit Result for Third Grade Theory An Instrumental Music Program Report Result of a consistent standard of B across the 4 semesters Exemplary attendance and behaviour at ensemble rehearsals, performances and workshops according to the policy of the Instrumental music program and Music Honours agreement. The Music Honours Extension Course is a one year course which is modelled on the Year 12 Authority subject Music Extension and is designed to enable students to develop their solo performance and composition skills. The course encompasses the four work areas of solo performance, composition, musicology and aural perception. Each of these dimensions are interconnected and designed to develop the practical performance level and composition skills of the students. Year 10 Music Extension provides a good basis for practical music making in the Year 11 and 12 Music course. It also provides an important insight into the requirements of the subject if students wish to pursue Music Extension in year 12.

6 Who is eligible and what will the audition process be like? Students, who have previously studied Instrumental Music at primary school level, can apply for the Music Honours program. Students undertake an audition process during their Year 6 schooling year. The audition requires the student to perform two pieces (or excerpts); one of which is a set piece and the other one of their own choice in a contrasting style as well as a technical component involving scales. A short (approximately 20 minute) basic music theory test is also undertaken. The combination of both theory and performance results, along with consultation with primary school instrumental music staff is used to determine placement in the program. The number of positions offered depends on overall achievement levels of the cohort, with a maximum of 56 places being available (i.e. one or two classes may be formed). ENROLMENT PROCESS FOR MUSIC HONOURS Students who study: Piano privately may audition only if they have attained 3rd Grade AMEB level or equivalent and will be considered for inclusion in the percussion program and ensembles. Guitar are eligible,should they play in State School ensemble at level suitable for being in our program, subject to places being available. Voice and have privately completed an acknowledged vocal program such as AMEB 3rd Grade and are prepared to continue in private vocal lessons, and be a member of the school choir, may also audition.