SACE Stage 2 Music Performance - Solo study plan
SACE Stage 2 Music Performance - Solo · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Performance (solo repertoire) & Performance technique and musicianship
Map the full solo program bar-by-bar and mark every technical demand (articulation, dynamics, register extremes) on the score
Establish a daily slow-practice routine at 60% tempo for the two most demanding passages, isolating hands/fingers/breath as applicable
Record a baseline unedited run of each programmed work to document starting accuracy and tempo
Set a metronome ladder for each difficult passage with three target tempi and a pass criterion
Your checkpoint
A marked-up score set plus a written baseline log recording tempo, error count, and pass/fail for each passage at week start
Performance (solo repertoire) & Performance technique and musicianship
Increase all technical passages by two metronome steps while keeping error rate at or below one per run
Isolate and drill the three weakest bars in each work in ten-minute blocks with immediate repetition
Practise dynamic extremes and articulation contrasts on sustained notes to build control
Perform one complete work from memory or with minimal score reliance in a single take
Your checkpoint
A dated practice spreadsheet showing tempo progression per passage and one full unedited recording of a single work
Performance (solo repertoire) & Repertoire and program planning
Sequence the program into a final performance order and justify the order in writing against contrast, stamina, and audience attention
Time each work and the full program with a stopwatch, then trim or reposition items to fit the required duration
Identify repertoire gaps (style, era, tempo, character) and shortlist one substitute or addition
Rehearse the full program in order twice this week, including spoken transitions
Your checkpoint
A one-page program plan with timings, running order rationale, and a contingency list of substitute works
Performance (solo repertoire) & Performance technique and musicianship & Interpretation and stylistic understanding
Bring every work to performance tempo in at least one clean run
Analyse the stylistic markers of each work (period phrasing conventions, ornament realisation, articulation norms) and apply two specific changes per work
Run two full-program dress rehearsals with recording and no stopping
Compare the recordings against reference stylistic expectations and log three concrete corrections
Your checkpoint
A mid-point recording of the complete program plus a written correction list of at least six specific interpretive and technical fixes
Interpretation and stylistic understanding & Music literacy and aural understanding
Transcribe by ear the melody and bass line of two passages from the program and compare the transcription to the printed score
Identify and label the harmonic progressions and cadence types in the two programmed works
Sing or clap the rhythmic skeleton of each work while reading the score to strengthen inner hearing
Articulate in writing the intended character and affect of each work in two sentences
Your checkpoint
Two ear-transcriptions with harmonic and cadential analysis, plus a short written character statement for each programmed work
Performance (solo repertoire) & Interpretation and stylistic understanding & Music literacy and aural understanding
Refine phrasing decisions by marking breath, bowing, or dynamic shaping points consistently across the score
Practise recovering from deliberate errors by restarting from the nearest downbeat without stopping
Run a full program under performance conditions with an audience of at least one person
Sight-read one unfamiliar short excerpt daily to build reading fluency under time pressure
Your checkpoint
A revised, fully annotated performance score plus a recorded run with an audience and a note of any recoveries needed
Performance (solo repertoire) & Performance technique and musicianship & Reflection and evaluation of performance
Evaluate the week-6 recording against a written rubric covering accuracy, tone, intonation, rhythm, and expression
Target the two lowest-scoring rubric categories with daily focused practice blocks
Complete two full run-throughs per week at performance tempo with recording
Draft the reflection commentary identifying strengths, weaknesses, and the rationale for interpretive choices
Your checkpoint
A completed self-assessment rubric with scores and evidence, plus a first full draft of the written reflection
Performance (solo repertoire) & Repertoire and program planning & Reflection and evaluation of performance
Consolidate the program with three final full run-throughs, tapering volume to avoid fatigue
Finalise the reflection and evaluation document, linking specific rehearsal evidence to outcomes
Rehearse the program order and stage presentation, including start, pauses, and bows
Confirm all exam logistics: program sheet, timings, equipment, and warm-up routine
Your checkpoint
A finalised reflection document and a complete recorded mock performance of the full program with timings logged
Milestones
Week 2: Every technical passage has advanced at least two metronome steps from baseline with a recorded error count at or below one per run
Week 4: The complete program can be performed start to finish without stopping at or near performance tempo, documented by recording and a six-point correction list
Week 6: An audience-condition run is completed and the score is fully annotated with phrasing, dynamics, and stylistic markings
Week 8: A final mock performance is recorded with timings within the required duration, and the written reflection is complete and evidence-based