SACE Stage 2 Music Performance - Solo exam-day guide
SACE Stage 2 Music Performance - Solo · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed copy of your performance program and running order
Bring a printed list of your chosen pieces in performance order, with composer, work title and movement, and approximate duration. Give a copy to the assessor or accompanist if requested. Confirm with the provider whether any program documentation must be submitted in advance.
Original scores or lead sheets for the assessor
Bring clean, legible copies of the music you are performing. If the assessor needs their own copy, confirm with the provider whether photocopies are permitted and how many copies to supply, since copyright rules vary.
Your instrument, fully serviced and playable
Check strings, reeds, pads, valves, drumheads, cables, batteries and any wearable parts. Bring a small tool kit and spares where practical. Do not rely on the venue having your instrument available.
Spare consumables (strings, reeds, sticks, plectrums, batteries)
Pack the items most likely to fail on the day. Label your cases and accessories so nothing is confused with another candidate's gear.
Personal identification
Bring the photo ID required by your school or the assessment venue. Confirm with the provider exactly which document is acceptable and whether a digital copy is permitted.
Accompanist arrangements confirmed
If your program uses an accompanist, confirm arrival time, warm-up space, and the agreed tempos and cuts. Bring a second score for them and agree on a discreet signal for starting and finishing.
Backing track or click track, if used, on two devices
Save the file locally rather than relying on streaming. Bring it on two devices plus a cable or adapter that matches the venue's playback system. Confirm with the provider in advance whether backing tracks are allowed for your instrument and program.
Water, a snack and any permitted medication
Stay hydrated and avoid trying new foods on exam day. If you need medication or an inhaler, keep it accessible and tell the supervising staff where it is.
Warm-up plan and a quiet space
Plan a short, gentle warm-up that matches what you did in lessons. Ask in advance where you can warm up and how much time you will have.
Performance attire checked the day before
Choose clothes that let you play freely and that suit a formal assessment. Check footwear for pedal work or stage movement and avoid anything that rattles or restricts breathing.
Arrival time and travel plan
Know the venue, the entrance, parking or transport options, and the check-in point. Aim to arrive well before your scheduled time so delays do not affect your preparation.
A calm pre-performance routine written down
Have a short, familiar routine for the minutes before you play: breathing, posture check, a slow run-through of opening bars in your head, and a reminder of your first tempo.
Plan the day
Run a full mock performance in the actual order, without stopping, and record it. Listen back and note only two or three highest-priority fixes rather than rewriting everything.
Confirm logistics in writing: venue, arrival time, accompanist, backing tracks, warm-up space and any documentation the provider requires. Resolve open questions now rather than on the day.
Check the instrument thoroughly and book any repair or replacement part immediately. Replace worn strings or reeds now so they have time to settle.
Do a focused practice session on starts, transitions between pieces and endings, since these are the most common places for slips under pressure.
Do a light, confident run-through and then stop heavy practice. Protect your ears and voice, avoid loud environments, and get a full night's sleep.
Pack the instrument, scores, spares, ID, water and backing-track devices. Lay out clothing and check transport times, including any buffer for delays.
Rehearse your recovery plan: decide in advance that a mistake means continuing from the next stable point rather than restarting, unless the provider permits a restart.
Eat a normal breakfast, do a short gentle warm-up, and avoid practising passages that make you anxious. Arrive early and check in.
Confirm the running order with the accompanist or playback operator, test the backing track on the venue system if allowed, and locate water and toilets.
Set up calmly, take a breath, and establish your starting tempo before playing. Keep going through errors, maintain character and communication, and finish each piece decisively.
If the assessor asks questions or requests a section, respond clearly and briefly. Thank the panel and collect your belongings before leaving.
Rules to check
Follow the provider's instructions on identification and check-in. If you are unsure which ID is accepted or whether late arrival is permitted, confirm with the provider before the exam day.
Perform only the works and instrument declared in your program unless the provider's rules allow changes. Confirm with the provider whether substitutions or cuts are permitted and by when.
Bring original or permitted copies of your scores. Do not distribute photocopies unless the provider confirms that copyright and assessment rules allow it.
Keep phones and smart devices silenced and out of reach during the assessment unless they are being used as an approved playback device. Confirm with the provider what is permitted.
Use only the warm-up time and space allocated to you. Do not play loudly in shared areas or disturb other candidates.
Take breaks only as the provider allows. If you feel unwell, tell supervising staff immediately and ask what options exist; do not invent an entitlement to a rest or resit.
Treat assessors, accompanists, staff and other candidates courteously. Do not discuss or compare performances with other candidates in the waiting area.
Understand the scoring basis before the day: confirm with the provider how marks are allocated across performance, program choice, musicianship and any discussion component, so you know what to prioritise.