AS 91949 Annotated exemplars

This annotated exemplar is intended for teacher use only. Annotated exemplars consist of student evidence, with commentary, to explain key parts of a standard. These help teachers make assessment judgements at the grade boundaries.

Download all written exemplars and commentary [PDF, 152 KB]

Level 1 Music assessment resources (external link) - NCEA.education

For Achieved, the student needs to demonstrate music performance skills.

This involves:

• applying stage presentation skills appropriate to a music performance context
• applying appropriate technical and musicianship skills in a music performance.

This student has performed a drum kit solo in a classroom setting. They have applied appropriate stage presentation skills by introducing themselves and the music they will perform. Generally consistent foundational technical drumming skills are demonstrated at the level expected after a third year of group tuition.

Musicianship skills are demonstrated through the use of dynamic changes.

For Merit, the student could further demonstrate effective technical drumming skills by choosing repertoire that allows for, for example, shuffle beat, four-way independence, and/or a range of varied rolls. Using these with confidence would allow the student to show their ability to move securely around the drum kit, and in turn demonstrate more confident presentation skills.

A range of different hi-hat, kick, and snare patterns could also allow for further musicianship skills to be demonstrated.

Achieved video

For Merit, the student needs to demonstrate effective music performance skills.

This involves:

• applying confident stage presentation skills appropriate to the music performance context
• applying secure technical and musicianship skills in a music performance.

This student has presented a confident and effective solo vocal performance in a classroom setting. The song choice has allowed for a range of technical skills to be demonstrated, such as pitch and interval control across a good melodic range.

Lyrics have been clearly sung with musical expressiveness and a sense of engagement with the narrative. Musicianship skills such as dynamics and controlled phrasing are also demonstrated.

For Excellence, the student could demonstrate assured performance skills by singing the opening section with the same strength as later passages. To be fully convincing, stage presentation skills could be further developed by the student using a more open and expressive stance.

Merit video

For Excellence, the student needs to demonstrate assured music performance skills.

This involves:

• applying convincing stage presentation skills appropriate to the music performance context
• applying fluent technical and musicianship skills in a music performance.

This student has performed an assured and fluent trombone solo in their school auditorium. They demonstrate musical and technical fluency through using a range of dynamics, together with controlled phrasing and a strong tone. Longer notes are supported with good breathing technique, and their generally consistent intonation further demonstrates assured musical skills.

Overall, this is an engaging and convincing performance demonstrating musicality and clear melodic shaping.

Excellence video