Subjects

Who is it for?

Music Contemporary Performance is for people who want to play and present music in a wide variety of contemporary musics. MCP is for people who like to jam, improvise and create music with others, as well as perform solo. MCP is for people who want to “do their own thing” and demonstrate that they have a unique and interesting way of reinterpreting songs. This subject is also for people who want to extend their abilities on their chosen instrument, as well as improve their musicianship and aural skills. As it is a performance based subject, students will gain confidence in performing in front of people through rehearsals, workshops, recordings, and performance presentations.

What do you do?

This course will be delivered by experienced VCE teachers and supported by high-quality teaching materials including:

• interactive instructional content
• masterclass videos
• online classes and dedicated teacher support
• support from a community of passionate learners across the state.

You will delve into the music of your choice and developing understanding and context through listening, researching and responding. This will then inform your own creative practise on your instrument. Some of the things you will be doing in the course:

• performing
• practicing your instrument and demonstrating progress
• version Excursion – learning about how different artists reinterpret music
• developing Personal Voice in Music – how to do your own thing
• improving Aural Skills – so you can hear more things in music
• developing your Musical Toolkit – so you can do more creative & interesting things in music from understanding musical materials better.

The main task for the year is to prepare and present a performance at the end of the year, in which you will:

• choose own choice of works
• include at least one work with another live musician
• include a work by an Australian artist since 1990
• include a personally reimagined version of an existing work
• may include original works
• performer’s Statement of Intent.

What skills do you need?

• Willingness to be on the learning path and learn about things that you might not know yet.
• Willingness to engage in doing the “hard stuff” to become a better musician – There are no short cuts!
• Some experience on your instrument
• You need to be a music fan and be able to nerd out about all the details, and have an appetite for learning new music.
• continuity of music involvement – you could be playing in orchestras, choirs, or bands; or you could be jamming with your mates in the garage.
• experience with performance exams (e.g. AMEB or equivalent) is desirable but not required.
• established music literacy and vocabulary
• AMEB Theory exams or equivalent desirable but not necessary.
• ability to read music notation is essential
• performance experience desirable but not necessary.
• students without these requirements are encouraged to speak to VSV Music Staff before enrolling to discuss suitability.

What skills do you develop?

You will develop:

• listening and analysis skills
• ability to plan and perform a program of works
• research, interpretation and rehearsal skills
• technical work skills on your chosen instrument
• composition, improvisation or arranging skills in a style, tradition or genre relevant to your Investigation Topic
• understanding of relevant contextual issues and performance conventions.
• Increase knowledge of music
• Be able to demonstrate your personal voice in music.
• Perform a set of music
• Collaborate with other musicians.

Requirements

• access to a suitably qualified Instrumental Teacher: if you do not have access to this because of your regional/remote status, please contact VSV staff, as we may be able to help
• an instrument in good working condition capable of staying in tune
• access to broadband internet capable of downloading and uploading sizeable video files
• a place to practice
• a video capture device with audio recording is required. This could be an iPhone, video camera or similar
• access to a computer that can edit video and audio, as well as create music notation such as Sibelius or MuseScore.
• Access to Auralia Online Ear Training Program. To be ordered via Campion Booklists 2024 for VSV.

Things to think about

This subject asks you to be on the learning path and walk down it – by engaging in the learning of the things you do not yet know, and by trying to work towards the things that you cannot yet do. There is hard work involved in doing this subject well – and it requires a consistent approach. It is not sufficient to hand in all the required work at the end – it’s a requirement of the Study Design that students evidence progress towards the outcomes regularly.

Things you can do now

Think about what you would like to do – what music would you like to present? (This is called Performer’s Statement of Intent)

• What musician(s) would you like to collaborate with?
• What are your favourite versions of songs? Make a list
• Do you have appropriate technical work to help you be a better musician?
• Are you receiving regular instrumental lessons?
• Who are your favourite musicians and why? What do they do that you are not able to do yet?
• What are the things you need to work on to get better on your instrument?
• Listen to and experience as much wide variety of music as you possibly can.