SACE Stage 2 Music Performance - Ensemble study plan

Map every School Assessment task (performance recordings, ensemble critiques, reflective commentary) against the weighting and due dates

Annotate the assessment criteria descriptors for the ensemble performance task so each criterion is paraphrased in your own words

Record a baseline full run of the ensemble set and log timestamps of every ensemble and balance issue

Draft a weekly practice schedule that allocates the largest share of hours to ensemble repertoire and rehearsal attendance

Set up a rehearsal log template capturing date, repertoire, ensemble issues addressed and self-assessment against criteria

Practise two sections of the program with a metronome and note the tempi at which ensemble breaks down

Identify the three weakest criteria from the baseline recording and write a targeted improvement action for each

Confirm the ensemble's rehearsal and performance schedule with the director and record it

Rehearse the full program twice under performance conditions with no stopping

Record the second run and compare it directly against the week 1 baseline

Write a 200-word reflective commentary draft on ensemble balance and intonation, citing specific timestamps

List every recurring ensemble fault and assign a fix to a specific rehearsal slot

Finalise the School Assessment performance recording to submission standard

Proofread the reflective commentary against the criteria and tighten every claim to concrete musical evidence

Obtain the external assessment requirements and performance standards and summarise them in bullet points

Select and confirm the external program, checking total duration against the time limit

Section-practise the external program, isolating the two hardest passages and slowing them to a controlled tempo

Build a technical warm-up routine that directly targets the demands of the external repertoire

Rehearse ensemble entries, cut-offs and balance points with the other players

Record a first full run of the external program and annotate it against the criteria

Run two full performances of the external program under simulated exam conditions with an audience present

Review both recordings and list the five most costly faults in order of marks lost

Drill those five faults in short focused practice blocks across the week

Rehearse stagecraft: entrances, tuning, between-piece transitions and recovery from a mistake

Perform the external program twice in front of a listener and collect structured written feedback

Apply the feedback and record a revised run

Rehearse the program start-to-finish at the scheduled exam time of day to condition stamina and focus

Finalise program order, timing and any presentation details required by the assessment

Run a full mock external assessment with the complete program and no stopping

Do light maintenance practice only, avoiding new technical work in the final days

Confirm logistics: instrument, music, accompanist, venue and timing

Review the criteria one last time and write a short pre-performance checklist