HSC Music Extension study plan

Map the full recital program by writing a timed running order with keys, durations and technical demands for each work

Isolate the three hardest technical passages in the program and design a slow-tempo drill for each

Draft a one-page compositional brief stating instrumentation, form, harmonic language and intended duration for the original work

Set up a practice log and recording template so every session produces evidence for the portfolio

Establish a daily warm-up routine that targets the specific technical gaps identified in week 1

Record a full run of at least two program works and annotate timestamps where accuracy or tone slips

Sketch the opening 16 bars of the composition in full score, including dynamics and articulation

Compare two contrasting recorded interpretations of one program work and note three interpretive choices to adopt or reject

Raise performance tempo on the isolated passages to 80 percent of target while keeping articulation clean

Perform the full program for one trusted listener and collect written feedback against a prepared question sheet

Frame the musicology research question and draft a working thesis statement

Compile and annotate an initial bibliography of at least eight credible sources

Run the complete program under timed recital conditions twice and log stamina and concentration drop-off points

Refine memorisation or page-turn logistics for every work in the running order

Analyse two primary musical examples in detail, quoting bar numbers and describing texture, harmony and scoring

Draft the first full section of the musicology essay with citations

Complete the full short score of the composition through to the final bar

Orchestrate or arrange the composition for its intended forces and check playability register by register

Draft the remaining musicology sections and integrate the analytical examples

Produce a clean engraved or handwritten score file ready for review

Revise the composition after a play-through or mock-up, correcting balance, range and notation errors

Create a reference recording or MIDI mock-up of the work

Draft the viva script covering compositional intent, influences and process decisions

Assemble the portfolio contents list with every required artefact identified

Perform two full mock recitals and record both for self-assessment

Rehearse spoken viva answers to at least fifteen likely examiner questions

Edit the musicology essay for argument flow, citation accuracy and word count

Finalise the score with performance notes and a program note for the recital

Taper practice to maintenance level while running the program once daily at performance tempo

Submit the final musicology essay and composition score in presentation-ready form

Deliver a full timed viva simulation to a listener and incorporate final corrections

Confirm all portfolio documents, recordings and signatures are complete and correctly labelled