NCEA Level 2 Music case studies
NCEA Level 2 Music · Put your knowledge to work in context.
NCEA Level 2 Music is the second level of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), New Zealand's main secondary school qualification. It is designed for students who have completed Level 1 Music or equivalent and wish to deepen their knowledge and skills in music. The qualification is assessed through a mix of internal assessment (in-school) and external assessment (national exams), as outlined on the NZQA Music subject page. Achievement standards at Level 2 cover areas such as performance, composition, aural skills, score reading, and musical knowledge. The NCEA Level 2 Music case studies are 5 cases and about 2,726 words.
1Solo Programme: Two Substantial Pieces or One and a Half?
At a co-educational secondary school, a Year 12 student has 18 weeks before the Level 2 solo performance submission. She proposes two pieces for AS91270: a 7-minute arrangement of a pop ballad for voice and piano, which she will sing while accompanying herself from a simplified chord chart, and a 3-minute Italian art song from the 24 Italian Songs and Arias anthology.
592 words, about 3 min2Composition Portfolio: Loop Pack or Original Work?
A Year 12 student has 10 weeks to complete a Level 2 composition portfolio for AS91271. Piece A is a 3-minute 20-second electronic dance track built from a purchased loop pack.
531 words, about 3 min3Ensemble Evidence When the Bass Part Is Doubled
A five-piece band at a large urban school is preparing a 6-minute funk arrangement for AS91272. The group is vocal, guitar, bass, drums, and trumpet.
535 words, about 3 min4Score Conventions: Which Errors Are Substantive?
A student submits an AS91276 analysis of a four-bar excerpt for Bb clarinet, horn in F, viola, and cello. The excerpt is in 6/8.
552 words, about 3 min5NZ Music Investigation: Description, Sources, and Cultural Accuracy
A Year 12 student is investigating 'the use of te reo Māori in New Zealand pop' for AS91278. Over six weeks she drafts 1,500 words.
516 words, about 3 min