Sample work Creative Arts K–6 Stage 3: Music: Composing for percussion

Suggested materials

Djembe drum, glockenspiel, percussion, other instruments if desired

Prior learning

Students have experimented with different rhythms using percussion (tuned and untuned), including the djembe drum and the glockenspiel. They have used notation to record and communicate ideas in the process of organising sound.

Outcomes

Performing (MUS3.1)
Sings, plays and moves to a range of music, individually and in groups, demonstrating a knowledge of musical concepts.
Organising Sound (MUS3.2) 
Improvises, experiments, selects, combines and orders sound using musical concepts.
Organising Sound (MUS3.3) 
Notates and discusses own work and the work of others.

Criteria for assessing learning

Students will be assessed on their:

• organisation of musical ideas into a composition
• use of notation to represent sound and communicate their own musical ideas
• use of musical concepts in performance.

Work Sample Assessment

Dale 

Dale has demonstrated a high level of competence in organising musical ideas into a composition. The piece has a steady rhythm with effective use of ostinato patterns and tone colour. A wider variety of dynamics, tone colours and more complicated rhythms would have enhanced the composition, but Dale has demonstrated a thorough understanding of canon and ostinato. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard at the end of Stage 3.

Drew 

Drew has demonstrated an adequate level of competence in organising musical ideas into a composition. The piece is well structured; introducing the instruments and layering sound. A steady beat is created through the repetition of the drum part in the performance, and there is a clear understanding of ostinato, but musical concepts could be more effectively used and the notation could communicate musical ideas more clearly. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard at the end of Stage 3.

Reese 

Reese has demonstrated an adequate level of competence in organising musical ideas into a composition. A variety of tuned and untuned instruments have been used, and improvisation has been included. The piece has a well-organised introduction and ending but the middle section weakens the overall structure. The drum ostinato is consistently played, but the rhythms and melodies notated are not replicated in the performance. There is sound understanding of musical concepts but little evidence of dynamics in the composition. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard at the end of Stage 3.

Kendall 

Kendall has demonstrated a limited level of competence in organising musical ideas into a composition. The piece has a simple structure and makes limited use of instruments. The djembe drum has not been included, and the composition could be more clearly notated. There is a basic understanding of ostinato, but the composition would benefit from further development in dynamics, rhythm, tone colour and structure. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard at the end of Stage 3.