Question 2   Work: ‘Dawn Mantras’ by Ross Edwards Performers: Sydney Children’s Choir, Cantillation, Lyn Williams (Conductor) Album: Eternity: The Timeless Music of Australia’s Composers ABC Classics, 2004) Excerpt length: 1’46” (10 Marks) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECP5AydSmnc Describe the ways in which tone colour is used to achieve expressive outcomes.  Character – Low, resonant, rumbling male voices enter with complementary tone colours to the reverberant, rumbling tone colour of the ... Read more

Question 1  Work: ‘Them Wolves’ by Nigel Westlake Performers: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Album: Babe: Orchestral Soundtrack (DewABC Classics, 2015) Excerpt length: 1’38” (8 marks) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RirT53cA0lM Discuss how the performers use dynamics and blend of instrumental voices to achieve expressive outcomes. The initial expressive outcome of tranquility is created through a unified blend of instrumental voices. Instruments play with warm, resonant tone colours. Particularly lower brass and ... Read more

Interpretation A Work: ‘Billie Jean’ Performer: Michael Jackson Album: Thriller (MJJ Productions INC., 1982 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr4EQDVETuA   Timing: 1 minutes 52 seconds Interpretation B Work: ‘Billie Jean’ Performer: Chris Cornell Album: Carry On (Interscope Records, 2007) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xW25VB1Mpw Timing: 1 minutes 46 seconds     Compare the ways in which the two interpretations create different expressive outcomes through three of the following: tempo balance of music lines tone colour articulation *Note the question asks for only three.  I have provided responses for all ... Read more

Thank you for your analysis response, anonymous, and permission to publish it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMabBGydC0 Question: How does articulation and tone colour create character in the following work? Listen to the first 1 min 30 seconds Character: joyful Jenn Gillan: Great having the character stated clearly at the start. the pizzicatto guitar (or banjo) in the upper register acts as a melodic accompaniment ... Read more

Thank you for your analysis response, anonymous, and permission to publish it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMabBGydC0 Question: How does articulation and tone colour create character in the following work?  Listen to the first 1 min 30 seconds The character of this work is driven and upbeat with aspects of articulation and tone colour that create this are:   Jenn Gillan: Consider more sophisticated character ... Read more

After talking with Anna van Veldhuisen, and her commenting that her students were freaking out over the amount I write in my analysis, I decided it might be time to demonstrate how my mind works while I analyse music. So I’ve picked a piece and without preparation have analysed it for you, live to Video. Excuse ... Read more

Earth is Sleeping Rhythm Naming Game   Thank you again to my students at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School for their enthusiastic participation. Especially to the students from Orientation Week who came in especially. Also to colleagues Melinda Sawers and Sue Lyons and alumni Jem Sherwill and Leighton Triplow for lending their expertise.  None of ... Read more

  Wake in the Moonlight Double Circle game   Thank you again to my students at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School for their enthusiastic participation. Especially to the students from Orientation Week who came in especially. Also to colleagues Melinda Sawers and Sue Lyons for lending their expertise.  None of this would be possible without James ... Read more

Interpretation A Work: ‘A Case of You’ Performer: Prince Album: A tribute to Joni Mitchell (Nonesuch, 2007) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lJ0f75oSL4 Timing: 2 minutes 28 seconds Interpretation B Work: ‘A Case of You’ Performer: k.d. lang Album: Hymns of the 49th Parallel (Nonesuch, 2004) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–Cpg7P_B1c Timing: 2 minutes 21 seconds Compare the ways in which the performers manipulate the following to achieve expressive outcomes: Tone colour Balance of music lines Improvisation/embellishment/ornamentation A   Tranquil but more energetic B  ... Read more

Question 2   Work: ‘Out of Time Part III’ Artist: Iain Grandage Performers: WA Youth Orchestra with Alumni Excerpt length: 1’32” (8 Marks) Describe how the performers create and sustain mood and character in this work.  An elated, uplifting, energetic, excited character is created and sustained through   The use of high pitch and shimmering, metallic tone colours in the glockenspiel   These tone colours are later reflected by the ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmVXLnmdstY   Question 1  Work: ‘Albatross’ Artist: Sarah Blasko Album: What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia, 2006) Excerpt length: 1’02” a) How do the performers use tone colour to achieve expressive outcomes?   (5 marks)   A tranquil character with an underlying sense of restlessness is created through Overall, unified, warm, mellow, resonant tone colours. Often due to low pitch   Aspirate and ‘creaking’ tone colours in ... Read more

Listen to the first 1 min 17 seconds Listen to the first 1 min 8 seconds  Question: How have different expressive outcomes been created through the elements of music in these two excerpts? Refer to improvisation, ornamentation and embellishment and one other element of music, either  Dynamics Blend of instrumental voices Balance of instrumental lines Tone Colour Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and ... Read more

  Listen to the first 1 minute 12 seconds Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and permission to publish it!    Question: How does tone colour and articulation create character in this work?    How does tone colour and articulation create character in this work? (4 marks) Character: longing /serene Female voice: delicate and aspirant though creating the longing character through aspects of ... Read more

  A much stronger response! This is what can happen when a student takes on feedback, does the suggested reading and has another go!    Listen to the first 1 minute 12 seconds Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and permission to publish it!    Question: How does tone colour and articulation create character in this work?    How does tone colour and ... Read more

First 1 minute 34 seconds First 1 minute 34 seconds (then fade)   Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and permission to publish it!  Question: How has the treatment of improvisation/ornamentation/ embellishment and phrasing resulted in different expressive outcomes in the following works?   Bye Bye Black Bird Frank Sinatra Piece has an upbeat and jolly character   Jenn Gillan: I would maybe ... Read more

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjZ3NsEdj0Q First 1 minute 34 seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAalPmO1Hlw First 1 minute 34 seconds (then fade)   Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and permission to publish it!  Question: How has the treatment of improvisation/ornamentation/ embellishment and phrasing resulted in different expressive outcomes in the following works?   Character of A (Frank Sinatra) : Energetic and jovial Character of B (Etta Jones) : Playful and carefree Improvisation/ornamentation/embellishment: A: B: ·       ... Read more

  Listen to the first 1 minute 12 seconds Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and permission to publish it!    Question: How does tone colour and articulation create character in this work?    How does tone colour and articulation create character in this work? (4 marks)     The lead female vocal line opens with a heavily aspirated attack, creating an intense, stressed ... Read more

Listen to the first 1 min 17 seconds Listen to the first 1 min 8 seconds  Question: How have different expressive outcomes been created through the elements of music in these two excerpts? Refer to improvisation, ornamentation and embellishment and one other element of music, either  Dynamics Blend of instrumental voices Balance of instrumental lines Tone Colour Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and ... Read more

Listen to the first 1 min 17 seconds Listen to the first 1 min 8 seconds  Question: How have different expressive outcomes been created through the elements of music in these two excerpts? Refer to improvisation, ornamentation and embellishment and one other element of music, either  Dynamics Blend of instrumental voices Balance of instrumental lines Tone Colour Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and ... Read more

Listen to the first 1 minute 12 seconds Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and permission to publish it!    Question: How does tone colour and articulation create character in this work?    How does tone colour and articulation create character in this work? (4 marks)   The overall musical character is sombre and reflective.   Jenn Gillan: Good having character front and centre ... Read more

  Listen to the first 1 minute 12 seconds Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and permission to publish it!    Question: How does tone colour and articulation create character in this work?  Creates a sorrow feel through her breathy and airy tone which symbolises sadness.     Jenn Gillan: Great putting character front and center, though I’d maybe say the character and ... Read more

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCwITCu25qA Listen to the first 1 minute 12 seconds Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and permission to publish it!    Question: How does tone colour and articulation create character in this work?  – This work has a despairing yet hopeful character.   Jenn Gillan: Great listing the character up the top. Makes it clear from the very start.   – The vocalist uses ... Read more

Listen to the first 1 min 17 seconds Listen to the first 1 min 8 seconds  Question: How have different expressive outcomes been created through the elements of music in these two excerpts? Refer to improvisation, ornamentation and embellishment and one other element of music, either  Dynamics Blend of instrumental voices Balance of instrumental lines Tone Colour Thank you, anonymous,  for this response and ... Read more

Listen to the first 1 min 17 seconds Listen to the first 1 min 8 seconds  Question: How have different expressive outcomes been created through the elements of music in these two excerpts? Refer to improvisation, ornamentation and embellishment and one other element of music, either  Dynamics Blend of instrumental voices Balance of instrumental lines Tone Colour   Thanks to Sarah Bouquet for this response and ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBq87dbKyHQ Listen to the first 1 min 17 seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wd–YgSCfA Listen to the first 1 min 8 seconds  Question: How have different expressive outcomes been created through the elements of music in these two excerpts? Refer to improvisation, ornamentation and embellishment and one other element of music, either  Dynamics Blend of instrumental voices Balance of instrumental lines Tone Colour   Thank you to Jacob Biviano for this ... Read more

Lamington Game, music and lyrics by Jenny Gillan Clapping circle or line game Thank you again to my students at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School for their enthusiastic participation. Especially to the students from Orientation Week who came in especially.   None of this would be possible without James Lauritz who filmed it all, donated ... Read more

Thanks to all who attended my 2017 presentation at the AMusE VCE Conference.  My notes can be seen below. Read more

Chapter Four: Texture   Chapter Four of my book, Listening Beyond Hearing relates to musical texture.  For this chapter I had an ex student, the talented Mateusz Gwizdalla, compose a melody which he then arranged using different textures. The score of these examples are in the book with further comment, YouTube links and activities. Hearing the textures as well as ... Read more

Vegetarian Bear & The Emperor’s New Clothes Partner songs. Music, Lyrics and Game by Jenny Gillan This game is dedicated to Anna, who made me a Vegetarian Bear badge and who always loved the song. Thank you again to my students at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School for their enthusiastic participation. Especially to the students ... Read more

Thank you again to my students at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School for their enthusiastic participation. Especially to the students from Orientation Week who came in especially. Also to colleagues Melinda Sawers and Sue Lyons and ex students Leighton and Jem for lending their expertise.  None of this would be possible without ... Read more

  Blow the Man Down Traditional Sea Shanty. Game by Jenny Gillan   Thank you again to my students at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School for their enthusiastic participation. Especially to the students from Orientation Week who came in especially. Also to colleagues Melinda Sawers and Sue Lyons and ex students Leighton and Jem for lending ... Read more

One Rainy Night Melody by Deborah Smith, Lyrics and game by Jenny Gillan   Thanks to Deborah Smith for the time we’ve spent together writing games and collating resources.  Your generosity as an educator and friend is so much appreciated! Thank you again to my students at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School for their enthusiastic participation. Especially ... Read more

The third question in the 2016 VCE Music Style and Composition Exam. QUESTION 3   Excerpt: George Deryfus, Sextet for didjeridu and Wind Ensemble (10 Marks) https://youtu.be/Y51y3VJ7lIY?t=13m20s (1 minute 4 seconds) Discuss how contrast is used in this excerpt   The didgeridoo and woodwind instruments set up contrast immediately through articulation and tone colour. The didgeridoo has legato articulation of the drone which is ... Read more

The final analysis question of prerecorded music for the 2016 Music Style and Composition Exam. Sample responses by Jenny Gillan Question 4a.   Describe the treatment of melody in excerpt 4a   Hubert Giraud and Jean Drejac ‘Sous le ciel de Paris’   This question features two excerpts from this work – excerpts 4a and 4b.  4b includes all of excerpt 4a ... Read more

The second question in the 2016 Music Style and Composition exam.  These questions would also be worthwhile setting for Music Performance exam students as revision. QUESTION 2a. Excerpt: Mia Makaroff  ‘Butterfly’  (2 minutes 1 second) (10 Marks) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st4zI_37JtU Explain how the voices are used in this excerpt In the introductory chord of this excerpt voices are used in the manner of ... Read more

It is the first year I’ve put my responses up for this subject, and may well not be a regular thing given the insanity of my timetable at this time of year but for your interest, here are my responses to the 2016 exam. Question 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGt000iascg   Excerpt: George Gershwin An American in Paris (1 minute 7 seconds) (10 Marks)   Discuss ... Read more

Question 16  Work: ‘Deception Bay’ Artist: Boo Seeka   a) Describe how the vocalist uses tone colour to create expressive outcomes.  (4 marks) The expressive outcome, a laid-back, relaxed character. Tone colours are warm and mellow created through a male vocalist singing at comfortable register = relaxed   The overall approach to vocal tone colour remains stable. There are subtle changes but generally the tone colours ... Read more

Question 17 Work: Wild Swans Concert Suite – Eliza Aria Composer: Elena Kats-Chernin Track from the album: Wild Swans (ABC Classics, 2007) (12 Marks) This excerpt has changing moods. Discuss how the performers create these moods using: blend and balance between voice and instruments articulation   The mood of this work is tranquil at points and more energetic at others. Blend and balance: In the opening tranquil sections the parts ... Read more

In 2017 the VCE introduces a new syllabus for Music Performance.  To support teachers and students studying this new syllabus, Edition Three of ‘Listening Beyond Hearing’ is nearly complete!  I’m particularly excited about the Harmony chapter. Read more

Here’s the fourth response to the ‘Babe’ question, together with my feedback,  as posted on the VCE Music Support Facebook page 2016.  Again, thank you for your time completing this analysis and courage to have it published.   This one is from Eliza O’Connor who’s getting much better don’t you think?!   How is tension created in this ... Read more

Here’s the third response to the ‘Babe’ question, together with my feedback,  as posted on the VCE Music Support Facebook page 2016.  Again, thank you for your time completing this analysis and courage to have it published.    How is tension created in this piece? Analyse up until “Get yourself a dog, Hoggett”   A tense , suspenseful chaotic character is created ... Read more

Here’s the second response to the ‘Babe’ question, together with my feedback,  as posted on the VCE Music Support Facebook page 2016 How is tension created in this piece? Analyse up until “Get yourself a dog, Hoggett”   Tension is created through the manipulation of the expressive elements by the players. The opening features the airy, aspirate flutes in their middle register, ... Read more

Here’s the first response to the ‘Babe’ question as posted on the VCE Music Support Facebook page 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZcpUUiaFzE How is tension created in this piece? Analyse up until “Get yourself a dog, Hoggett” Response gratefully received from Steven Alesi   A tense and uneasy character is created in this work through a plethora of rhythmic, melodic and harmonic techniques that create ... Read more

The third response to an analysis question set for the VCE Music Support Facebook page.  Thank you for your responses! The Lumineers – Ho Hey Question: Describe how only two of the following expressive devices contribute to character in this work: Tone Colour Blend and Balance Articulation Dynamics Rhythm Character: carefree, folksy, and spirited Jenn Gillan: Watch ‘folksy’ as a term here.  It’s ... Read more

The Lumineers – Ho Hey Question: Describe how only two of the following expressive devices contribute to character in this work: Tone Colour Blend and Balance Articulation Dynamics Rhythm The overall character is laid back and joyous.   Jenn Gillan: In a case such as this, where only two elements are required according to the question, it’s wise to state which elements you’re dealing with ... Read more

The first response to the Facebook page analysis question.  Thank you, Eliza O’Connor again for your work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvCBSSwgtg4 The Lumineers – Ho Hey Question: Describe how only two of the following expressive devices contribute to character in this work: Tone Colour Blend and Balance Articulation Dynamics Rhythm     The character of this piece is reflective, joyful and peaceful.   The Blend and Balance of the work is ... Read more

The second sample response gratefully received.  Please keep ’em coming and thank you for taking the risk.  It’s a brave thing to do! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRmlXFxqLcI Listen to the first 1 min 35 seconds. Question: How is character expressed in this work?   An overall energetic character is expressed in this work:   Jenn Gillan: Good choice of character word. Is the character the same ... Read more

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRmlXFxqLcI Listen to the first 1 min 35 seconds.   Question: How is character expressed in this work? Thank you to Eliza O’Connor for this response. Character = lively, energetic, frantic, chaotic, urgent Jenn Gillan:  A lot of character words.  Maybe one or two fewer?   Cluster like chords happen frantically lending the piece to feel urgent Jenn Gillan:   Needs a little more ... Read more

Question 17  Work: ‘The Brumbies from ‘The Man From Snowy River’ Artist/Composer: Bruce Rowland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw6nB1_E4GA 2 minutes 8 seconds How do performers manipulate expressive elements to communicate tension within this work? In your response refer to at least two of the following: Articulation Dynamic Range Tempo Choice Tone Colour   Tone colour:   The introductory low, rumbling, reverberant drone immediately creates a tense character through extremely low pitch ... Read more

Question 16  Work: ‘The Village’ (excerpt) Artist: Boy and Bear Track from the album: The Moonfire 1 minute 35 seconds. a) Describe how the performers create character in the vocal parts of this work.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RxaRKEaLzc An energetic yet relaxed character is created through varying vocal techniques which create a wide variety of tone colours.  Sudden changes in approach to rhythm and tone colour also ... Read more

Thanks all those who attended the VCE Aural and Analysis skills day yesterday.  We had such a responsive group, it was a real pleasure to work with you all. Nothing warms an educator’s heart quite like a room full of students asking lots of questions! Read more

It was great to network and share some robust discussion at the aMuse VCE Conference once more. Thank you to all who came and participated.   In my session we began but did not complete the guided listening sheet for tone colour in Iain Grandage’s, Travelling from ‘Remember Me’ Iain Grandage is an Australian composer so this work fits in with ... Read more

New Chapters   I’m excited to be working with some ex students and current colleagues preparing new chapters for my analysis book, Listening Beyond Hearing.   New chapters which will (hopefully!) be ready for next year’s change to the VCE Syllabus: Harmony Articulation Form Comparison of works More analysis questions   I am currently in the process of collating and editing sample harmonic analysis from my past Victorian ... Read more

When I First Came To This Land Trad. American folk song. Game by Jenny Gillan & Deborah Smith   Thanks to my students at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and to James Lauritz for their work on this project. We had a lot of fun.   https://vimeo.com/165124230 When I First Came to This Land from Jennifer Gillan on Vimeo.       Verse 2: When I ... Read more

Back to Back Canon Canon and game by Jenny Gillan   https://vimeo.com/165219424 Back to Back Canon from Jennifer Gillan on Vimeo.   I have the pleasure of working with the talented Musicianship students at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.  Our most recent project has been recording videos to release to teachers to support the Secondary Classroom Music Program.   My deepest ... Read more

There has been some question as to whether vibrato is considered part of articulation. I have had many discussions with many colleagues about this and some feel it is and some feel it isn’t!! If this teaches me anything it’s that there can be many approaches to a question and that the music and academic world ... Read more

Question 17a  Work: ‘Sharpen the Battle Claws’ Artist: David Hirschfelder Track from the album: Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’ Hoole (Water Tower Music, 2010)   a. Describe two ways in which performers use articulation to create character in this excerpt. Performer use vibrato to create character. Sometimes the vibrato is used sparingly. In the introduction there is limited vibrato in ... Read more

Question 16  Work: ‘Stakeout’ Artist: The Tango Saloon Track from the album: Shadows & Fog (Newmarket Music, 2012)    Explain the performers’ use of instrumental timbre and the blend of instrumental lines to create a sense of character in this performance.    Initial Character – reflective with restless undertones. A reflective character is created through use of stable approach to timbre (tone colour). The woodblock and ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA54NBtPKdI Question: How are musical elements used to develop character in this work?   Chord progressions from the acoustic guitar introduces a blissful character during the intro.   Jenn Gillan: This would be more powerful if you mentioned the sorts of harmonies used. Chord progressions are used everywhere and they don’t necessarily = bliss. A little more needed here.   The vocalist ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgkHd6eBfoE Question: Explain how dynamics and blend and balance of instrumental voices are used to contribute to expressiveness in the following work: Cat Empire, Wine Song * Please only analyse the first two minutes Sample Response II By Hayley Witmore   Lyrical and Passionate, Reflective, Somber character:   Jenn Gillan: Lyrical is not really a character word. Reflective and passionate contrasting words? Is passionate ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DQnS18EeWM Sinead O’Connor, She Moved Through the Fair   Sample Response V   How is character created in the vocal part of this work?     The vocalist uses a warm, slightly breathy TC to create an atmosphere of longing, adding to the wistful character   The vocalist’s melody has a flowing contour that mostly ascends over a wide range and then descends again at ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DQnS18EeWM Sinead O’Connor, She Moved Through the Fair Sample Response IV   How is character created in the vocal part of this work?   The vocalist uses a warm, slightly breathy TC to create an atmosphere of longing, adding to the wistful character   The vocalist’s melody has a flowing contour that mostly ascends over a wide range and then descends again at ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DQnS18EeWM Sinead O’Connor, She Moved Through the Fair Sample Response III How is character created in the vocal part of this work?     the vocal part, which delivers the main melodic line establishes a relaxed yet longing character through the medium-high register, which sounds to be comfortable and thus relaxed in the lower range, however is more forced as the ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8v3HL9cv_I Brenton Broadstock Symphony No. 2 Stars in a Dark Night Sample Response III Discuss how tension is created in the work. In your answer, refer to only 2 musical elements from the following list: Tone colour Blend of instrumental voices Dynamics Articulation ARTICULATION/DYNAMICS Jenn Gillan: Firstly I would make sure I used headings to point out really obviously what you were talking about. Not ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DQnS18EeWM Sinead O’Connor, She Moved Through the Fair Sample Response II How is character created in the vocal part of this work? The vocalist creates a serene, relaxed character through: 1. the use of held phrase ending which end in a vibrato fade, meaning that there are no harsh endings 2. the vocalist also uses a soft dynamic towards the beginning ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DQnS18EeWM Sinead O’Connor, She Moved Through the Fair Sample Response I By Hayley Witmore  How is character created in the vocal part of this work? Strenuous,genuine,vulnerable character created through:   Use of lots of air across the vocal chords in the high head voice at a soft dynamic creates a vulnerable character and establishes the accepting and reflecting atmosphere that has been ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8v3HL9cv_I Brenton Broadstock Symphony No. 2 Stars in a Dark Night Sample Response II By Linda Burchett Discuss how tension is created in the work. In your answer, refer to only 2 musical elements from the following list: Tone colour Blend of instrumental voices Dynamics Articulation Tone Colour The sharp, biting TC of the trumpets with straight mutes in the opening of the excerpt creates an uncomfortable ... Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8v3HL9cv_I Brenton Broadstock Symphony No. 2 Stars in a Dark Night Sample Response I By Hayley Witmore  Discuss how tension is created in this work. *only analyse the first two minutes of the work. In your answer refer to only two musical elements from the following list Tone colour Blend of instrumental voices Dynamics Articulation Unsettled, frantic and worry some character Use of slowly growing dynamics within ... Read more

The Church – Under the Milky Way Sample Response II, By Hayley Witmore  Question: How are musical elements used to develop character in this work? Easy going and relaxed character established at the beginning by: Moderate tempo – not rushed but give a drive with emphasis on beats 1, 3 and 4 in Common time is predictable and ... Read more

The Church – Under the Milky Way Sample Response I Question: How are musical elements used to develop character in this work?  Character: mysterious, brooding The male vocalist’s warm, resonant TC and the reverberation effect used create a sense of space, adding to the mysterious character At the beginning of the excerpt, the sparse homophonic texture of the acoustic guitarist ... Read more

Music is everywhere—it is all pervasive. Never before has so much music been so accessible. Yet how well do we listen to music? How often do we take the time to really hear it from the inside out? The 2nd Edition of Music Analysis: Listening Beyond Hearing eBook has just been released and is available for ... Read more

AMuse-VCE-Conference-Notes-2015 For those of you who missed it or would like the notes from my presentation, here they are. Read more

The results of the AMuse 2015 VCE Music Conference. Brain storming how musical elements could create an Ominous Character.  This Mind Map was made using the ‘Mindnode’ app which is available for Apple Mac computers. There are other mind mapping applications/programs that can be found easily doing a simple google search. Ominous-mind-map pdf (25kb)   Read more

Thank you to all who came to my lecture at the AMuse conference this weekend. Here is the guided listening sheet we completed, Magpie by English Singer/Songwriter Beth Orton. I shall put up the one we started to write together when I’ve tweaked it a little. Read more

From the 2014 VCE Music Performance Exam. Question 17. Ross Edwards: Maninyas violin Concerto, movement 3 (excerpt) – Discuss ways in which expressive elements of music are interpreted to achieve expressive outcomes in the performance of this excerpt. Read more

One Hundred Thousand – ‘Explain how the vocal and instrumental lines create mood and character in this excerpt.’ Read more

A sample response to a question posed on the VCE Music Student Support Facebook page. Question: Explain how dynamics and blend and balance of instrumental voices are used to contribute to expressiveness in the following work: Cat Empire, Wine Song Read more

The third sample response to a question posed on the VCE Music Student Support Facebook page. Question: Discuss how expressive devices create tension in the following work. Read more

The second sample response to a question posed on the VCE Music Student Support Facebook page. Question: Discuss how expressive devices create tension in the following work. Read more

A sample response to question posed on the VCE Music Student Support Facebook page. Question: Discuss how expressive devices create tension in the following work. Read more