Clarification details
Updated September 2015. This document has been updated although no new moderation issues have arisen.
The purpose of clarifications
We create clarification documents to help people understand the current requirements of achievement standards. Clarifications do not introduce new criteria, change the intent of the standard, or change what we expect from assessment.
These documents unpack and explain the language and intent of the standard so people interpret and apply the standard consistently. We provide examples or guidance as illustrations only. They are not prescriptions or requirements.
For official requirements, always refer to the current version of the achievement standard as published by NZQA.
Source material
The quality of the source material is fundamental to student success in this standard. The most ideal source material is ‘fake-book’ type extract music which consists of a melodic line only (with lyrics if necessary) and guitar chord chart indications. The advantage of this type of source material is that it provides scope for students to craft their arrangements in a manner that demonstrates skill, character and imagination (Excellence).
Introduction
Arrangements demonstrating character and imagination usually have an introductory section written by the student which sets up the musical ‘flavour’ (genre) of the arrangement, e.g. folk, reggae, jazz, etc.
Moderation requirements
The arrangements will be notated by students in a written score. An audio file will also need to be produced for moderation purposes.