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This webpage has been archived to prepare for transfer to the new NESA website. Reference to syllabus outcomes and content on this webpage may not be current. Teachers are encouraged to visit the Key Learning Area page for recent student work samples on the NESA website.

Assessment Resource Centre (ARC)

Work Sample : Ariel

Activity : Theme and Variations

    Theme and Variations - Ariel : Grade Commentary

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Other Work Samples for:

This composition displays a very high level of understanding of the concepts of music, and the jazz piano idiom. Ariel explores and constructs a coherent and stylistic musical work, demonstrating sophisticated understanding of piano writing eg voicing, pedal, register, articulation and dynamics. He/she manipulates musical concepts and is able to take risks eg tempo and metre changes, duration, interplay of parts and textual variation. There is extensive use of detailed score and performance marking which displays a high level of understanding of the tone colour possibilities of the piano. While the dissonance is confronting, it is consistent with the character of the work and explores the timbral variety of the piece. Ariel confidently notates his/her work using notational forms and conventions appropriate to the genre. The harmonic language is sophisticated and demonstrates a detailed understanding of pitch and style. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard.

Grade A

The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.

Full list of grade descriptions

Areas for Assessment

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