Past HSC questions
The examination lasts 1 hour (plus 5 minutes reading time). Use the reading time to carefully analyse each question.
Look at the title of the piece and the composer, this may give you a clue to the musical style, period or genre.
The examination will have 4 questions. Question 1 is worth 6 marks and Questions 2-4 are worth 8 marks.
Study these questions to check that you understand how to approach each of them.
2019
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 11 seconds) from YYZ by Rush will be played FIVE times for you to
answer Question 1.
Explain how duration is used in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 45 seconds) from Where? by Kate Miller-Heidke will be played
SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Explore the use of dynamics and expressive techniques in this excerpt
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 4 seconds) from Loyal by ODESZA will be played SIX times for you to
answer Question 3.
Describe how the use of technology has affected tone colour and texture in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
Quenelle with Regency Sauce, Etc. (1 minute 32 seconds) by Thomas Newman will be played
SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Analyse the use of both unity and contrast in this work.
2018
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 39 seconds) from Westworld by Ramin Djawadi will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the use of tone colour in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 40 seconds) from Mutant Brain by Sam Spiegel and Ape Drums will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 2.
Explore how duration is used in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 13 seconds) from An American in Paris by George Gershwin will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Analyse how contrast is used in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 42 seconds) from Don’t You Worry Child arranged by The Piano Guys will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Explain how texture is used in this excerpt.
2017
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute) from To Tsantiraki by Eleni Vitali will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the use of pitch in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 38 seconds) from What are you doing? from the soundtrack to Mouse Hunt by Alan Silvestri will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
How is musical interest created in this excerpt?
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 42 seconds) from Across the Night by Silverchair will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Explore the roles of the sound sources in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 18 seconds) from In a Hurry by Christian McBride will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Explain how both unity and contrast are achieved in this excerpt.
2016
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 35 seconds) from Bridge Building Man by Rick Price will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the structure of this excerpt with reference to the use of sound sources.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 29 seconds) from Overture from La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi will be played SIX times for you to answer Question
Explain how pitch relates to texture in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 9 seconds) from Sinuoso Trópico by Jacqueline Fuentes will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
How are expressive techniques and duration used in this excerpt?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 56 seconds) from Mombasa by 2Cellos will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 4.
Explain how tension is achieved in this excerpt.
2015
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 7 seconds) from Farandole from L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2 by Georges Bizet will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
How is melodic material used in this excerpt?
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 17 seconds) from It Ain’t Necessarily So performed by Herbie Hancock will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Explain how the layers of sound are used in this excerpt to achieve unity and contrast.
Question 3 (8 marks)
Question 3 is based on excerpts from two versions of I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself. Version 1 (50 seconds) is performed by Dusty Springfield. Version 2 (50 seconds) is performed by The White Stripes. Both versions will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
Compare how the concepts of music are used in the two versions of I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 3 seconds) from Kalkadunga Yurdu performed by The Australian Voices will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
How are the voices used to create musical interest in this excerpt?
2014
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 17 seconds) from Fairground (Rollo and Sister Bliss Remix) by Simply Red will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
How are sound sources used in this excerpt?
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 27 seconds) from Superbol performed by Alms for Shanti will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Describe the musical features of this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 9 seconds) from The Attack of the Hook-Handed Man composed by Thomas Newman will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
How is tension created in this excerpt?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 17 seconds) from Run Me Down performed by The Notting Hillbillies will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
How does structure contribute to both unity and contrast in this excerpt?
2013
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 4 seconds) from Come on Over by Elana Stone will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the use of pitch in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
Fanfare (1 minute 30 seconds) performed by James Morrison and Swing City will be
played SIX times for you to answer Question 2 part (a) and part (b).
(a) Outline the structure of this work?
(b) How is texture developed in this work?
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 20 seconds) form Firework performed by Despite My Deepest Fear will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Explore the feature of the styles used in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 25 seconds) from Wedding Day at Troldaugen by Edvard Greig will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
With specific reference to the concepts of Music, explain how contrast is achieved in this excerpt.
2012
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 12 seconds) from Back in Black performed by Christa Hughes and the
Honky Tonk Shonks will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Explore the use of duration in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 19 seconds) from Finding Frangipanis performed and composed by
Jane Aubourg will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Identify the layers of sound in this excerpt and describe how they are used.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 25 seconds) from Wildcat Fanfare (Drumline) by Colin O’Malley will be
played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
How is musical interest maintained in this excerpt?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 25 seconds) from Kate and Tilly’s Waltz by Burkhard Dallwitz will be
played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Explain how unity and contrast are achieved in this excerpt.
2011
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 14 seconds) from Autumn from the Four Seasons Op.8 by Antonio
Vivaldi will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the structure of this excerpt with reference to the use of musical material.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 26 seconds) from Hall of the Mountain King performed by Apocalyptica
will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
How is musical interest achieved in this excerpt?
In your response, refer to duration and at least one other concept of music.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 29 seconds) from Djäpana performed by Yothu Yindi will be played
SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Describe the texture of this excerpt with reference to specific sound sources.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 13 seconds) from One Step Too Far performed by Dido and Faithless
with Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo will be played SIX times for you to answer
How are repetition and variety achieved in this excerpt? In your answer, refer to the concepts of music.
2010
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 34 seconds) from Let it Be performed by Benny Benassi and The Biz will
be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe how musical interest is created in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 21 seconds) from the music of the film Atonement by Dario Marinelli
will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 2.
How are the concepts of pitch and duration explored in this excerpt?
Question 3 (8 marks)
Excerpts from TWO versions of Take a Longline will be played FIVE times for you to answer
Version 1 (55 seconds) is performed by The Angels.
Version 2 (1 minute 26 seconds) is performed by Tourettes.
Both versions will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
Compare the use of both tone colour and expressive techniques in the two versions of Take a Longline.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 7 seconds) from I Feel Pretty by Leonard Bernstein, arranged and
performed by the Oscar Peterson Trio, will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Describe how unity and contrast have been achieved in this excerpt.
In your answer, refer to the concepts of music and specific examples from the excerpt.
2009
Question 1 (6 marks)
The 12th century composition (1 minute 21 seconds) Ductia (Anonymous)
performed by Ars Antiqua de Paris will be played FIVE times for you to answer
(a) Identify THREE tone colours you hear in this excerpt.
1. ........................................................................................................................
2. ........................................................................................................................
3. ........................................................................................................................
(b) Discuss how tone colour emphasises the changes in texture.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 4 seconds) from Grace Kelly (Acoustic) by Mika, Jodi Marr,
John Merchant and Dan Warner, and performed by Mika, will be played SIX times for you to
answer Question 2.
Focusing on the concept of pitch, describe how contrast is achieved in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
Excerpts of two versions of Took the Children Away by Archie Roach will be played.
Version 1 (53 seconds) is performed by Archie Roach.
Version 2 (1 minute 14 seconds) is performed by Archie Roach and the Australian Art Orchestra.
Both versions will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
Compare the use of duration in the two versions of Took the Children Away.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 21 seconds) from I Wanna Be Like You by Sherman and Sherman
performed by Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen will be played FIVE times for you to answer
With reference to expressive techniques and ONE other concept, describe how musical interest is achieved in this excerpt.
2008
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 31 seconds) Somebody to Love from the soundtrack Happy Feet will be
played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
In this excerpt, how does the composer maintain interest?
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 14 seconds) from Bulgar Frailach (traditional) performed by Bob
Paredes and Catherine Schieve will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Comment on the use of pitch, dynamics and expressive techniques in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 18 seconds) Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 by
Prokofiev will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Discuss the composer’s use of duration with reference to the themes and accompaniment in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 31 seconds) from The Messenger by Blaine Whittaker will be played
FIVE times for you to answer Question 4.
Define the structure of this excerpt with reference to the concepts of music.
2007
Question 1 (6 marks)
An adapted excerpt (1 minute 24 seconds) from The Owls Go by Architecture in Helsinki will
be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
In this excerpt, how is variety created through the use of tone colour?
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 16 seconds) from the first movement of Symphony No. 4 by Felix
Mendelssohn will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Describe Mendelssohn’s use of pitch in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
Two excerpts (42 seconds and 44 seconds) from Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie by Blood, Sweat and Tears will be played FOUR times for you to answer Question 3. Each excerpt is a different treatment of the theme.
Describe the differences in the musical treatment of each excerpt. Refer to the concepts of
music in your answer. (It is not necessary to address all concepts.)
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 40 seconds) from These Days by Johnny Clegg and Savuka will be played
Identify the layers of sound and describe how they are used in this excerpt.
2006
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 15 seconds) from Addicted to Bass by Puretone will be played
FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Comment on the roles of the sound sources in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (50 seconds) from the second movement (Presto) of the Norwegian Rhapsody by
Edouard Lalo will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Describe how the composer creates variety through the use of texture and duration.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 27 seconds) from Until by Sting, performed by Sting and the Brodsky
Quartet will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
By referring to the concepts of music, describe the relationship between the melody and
accompaniment in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 43 seconds) from You Are My Sunshine by Jimmy Davis and Charles
Mitchell, performed by James Morrison, will be played SIX times for you to answer
Question 4.
How are dynamics and expressive techniques explored in this excerpt?
2005
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 10 seconds) from Danza de los Enanos by Mestisay will be played
FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Outline the structure of the excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 13 seconds) from Concerto Opus 10 No. 1 in F major by Vivaldi will be
played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
How is repetition used in this excerpt?
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 22 seconds) from Phlegra by Iannis Xenakis will be played FIVE times
for you to answer Question 3.
With reference to the concepts of music, describe how tension is created in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 31 seconds) from Hot Dog by Led Zeppelin will be played FIVE times
for you to answer Question 4.
Describe the use of pitch in this excerpt.
2004
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 18 seconds) from Tainted Love by The Living End will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Discuss the use of duration in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 29 seconds) from Driving by Hans Zimmer will be played FIVE times
for you to answer Question 2.
Explain the structure of this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (54 seconds) from Mas Que Nada, performed by The Idea of North, will be played
SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Discuss how tone colour is used to create interest in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 40 seconds) from Variations on America by Charles Ives will be played
SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
How is contrast achieved within this excerpt?
2003
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 33 seconds) from Muddy Water Blues by Paul Rodgers will be played
FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Discuss the use of pitch in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 08 seconds) from Tarakihi, an arrangement of a traditional song, will be
played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Identify the layers of sound, and describe how they are used.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 17 seconds) from Allende by Piazolla will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
How does the composer maintain interest in this excerpt?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (49 seconds) from Piano Trio No. 18 by Haydn will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Referring to the concepts of music, describe how the composer achieves unity in this excerpt.
2002
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute) from a Renaissance dance, La Volta, will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the structure of the excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 16 seconds) from Mi Gente by Joe Zawinal will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Explain how the performing media are used in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
Music from Seven Little Australians (1 minute 58 seconds) by Bruce Smeaton will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
How is contrast created in this piece?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 50 seconds) from Filippa Giordano’s performance of Bizet’s Habanera will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 4.
Describe the solo singer’s use of pitch and expressive techniques in this performance.
2001
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 47 seconds) from Sapopemba by Comadre Florzinha will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe how the concepts of music are used in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 56 seconds) from the Prelude to North by Northwest by Bernard
Herrmann will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Discuss the ways in which various rhythms are used in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 8 seconds) from Te Deum by Berlioz will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
u How are the concepts of music used to create a climax in the excerpt?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (54 seconds) from Medicine Man by Mandingo will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 4.
Describe the structure of the excerpt, supporting your answer with reference to other musical concepts.
2000
QUESTION 1
An excerpt (1 minute 27 seconds) from On the Waterfront by Leonard Bernstein will
be played SIX times for you to answer Question 1.
How is tone colour used to maintain interest in this excerpt?
QUESTION 2
An excerpt (1 minute 15 seconds) from No Images by Sweet Honey in the Rock will
be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Describe the use of pitch in this excerpt.
QUESTION 3
‘Dance’ (56 seconds) from Divertimento for Band by Vincent Persichetti will be
played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
Describe in detail the structure of this movement.
QUESTION 4
An excerpt (1 minute 38 seconds) from Right Here, Right Now performed by Fat Boy
Slim will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 4.
By referring to the concepts of music, describe how unity and contrast are achieved in
this excerpt.
Look at the title of the piece and the composer, this may give you a clue to the musical style, period or genre.
The examination will have 4 questions. Question 1 is worth 6 marks and Questions 2-4 are worth 8 marks.
Study these questions to check that you understand how to approach each of them.
2019
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 11 seconds) from YYZ by Rush will be played FIVE times for you to
answer Question 1.
Explain how duration is used in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 45 seconds) from Where? by Kate Miller-Heidke will be played
SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Explore the use of dynamics and expressive techniques in this excerpt
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 4 seconds) from Loyal by ODESZA will be played SIX times for you to
answer Question 3.
Describe how the use of technology has affected tone colour and texture in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
Quenelle with Regency Sauce, Etc. (1 minute 32 seconds) by Thomas Newman will be played
SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Analyse the use of both unity and contrast in this work.
2018
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 39 seconds) from Westworld by Ramin Djawadi will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the use of tone colour in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 40 seconds) from Mutant Brain by Sam Spiegel and Ape Drums will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 2.
Explore how duration is used in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 13 seconds) from An American in Paris by George Gershwin will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Analyse how contrast is used in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 42 seconds) from Don’t You Worry Child arranged by The Piano Guys will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Explain how texture is used in this excerpt.
2017
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute) from To Tsantiraki by Eleni Vitali will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the use of pitch in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 38 seconds) from What are you doing? from the soundtrack to Mouse Hunt by Alan Silvestri will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
How is musical interest created in this excerpt?
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 42 seconds) from Across the Night by Silverchair will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Explore the roles of the sound sources in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 18 seconds) from In a Hurry by Christian McBride will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Explain how both unity and contrast are achieved in this excerpt.
2016
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 35 seconds) from Bridge Building Man by Rick Price will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the structure of this excerpt with reference to the use of sound sources.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 29 seconds) from Overture from La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi will be played SIX times for you to answer Question
Explain how pitch relates to texture in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 9 seconds) from Sinuoso Trópico by Jacqueline Fuentes will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
How are expressive techniques and duration used in this excerpt?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 56 seconds) from Mombasa by 2Cellos will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 4.
Explain how tension is achieved in this excerpt.
2015
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 7 seconds) from Farandole from L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2 by Georges Bizet will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
How is melodic material used in this excerpt?
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 17 seconds) from It Ain’t Necessarily So performed by Herbie Hancock will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Explain how the layers of sound are used in this excerpt to achieve unity and contrast.
Question 3 (8 marks)
Question 3 is based on excerpts from two versions of I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself. Version 1 (50 seconds) is performed by Dusty Springfield. Version 2 (50 seconds) is performed by The White Stripes. Both versions will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
Compare how the concepts of music are used in the two versions of I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 3 seconds) from Kalkadunga Yurdu performed by The Australian Voices will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
How are the voices used to create musical interest in this excerpt?
2014
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 17 seconds) from Fairground (Rollo and Sister Bliss Remix) by Simply Red will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
How are sound sources used in this excerpt?
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 27 seconds) from Superbol performed by Alms for Shanti will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Describe the musical features of this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 9 seconds) from The Attack of the Hook-Handed Man composed by Thomas Newman will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
How is tension created in this excerpt?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 17 seconds) from Run Me Down performed by The Notting Hillbillies will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
How does structure contribute to both unity and contrast in this excerpt?
2013
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 4 seconds) from Come on Over by Elana Stone will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the use of pitch in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
Fanfare (1 minute 30 seconds) performed by James Morrison and Swing City will be
played SIX times for you to answer Question 2 part (a) and part (b).
(a) Outline the structure of this work?
(b) How is texture developed in this work?
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 20 seconds) form Firework performed by Despite My Deepest Fear will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Explore the feature of the styles used in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 25 seconds) from Wedding Day at Troldaugen by Edvard Greig will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
With specific reference to the concepts of Music, explain how contrast is achieved in this excerpt.
2012
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 12 seconds) from Back in Black performed by Christa Hughes and the
Honky Tonk Shonks will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Explore the use of duration in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 19 seconds) from Finding Frangipanis performed and composed by
Jane Aubourg will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Identify the layers of sound in this excerpt and describe how they are used.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 25 seconds) from Wildcat Fanfare (Drumline) by Colin O’Malley will be
played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
How is musical interest maintained in this excerpt?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 25 seconds) from Kate and Tilly’s Waltz by Burkhard Dallwitz will be
played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Explain how unity and contrast are achieved in this excerpt.
2011
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 14 seconds) from Autumn from the Four Seasons Op.8 by Antonio
Vivaldi will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the structure of this excerpt with reference to the use of musical material.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 26 seconds) from Hall of the Mountain King performed by Apocalyptica
will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
How is musical interest achieved in this excerpt?
In your response, refer to duration and at least one other concept of music.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 29 seconds) from Djäpana performed by Yothu Yindi will be played
SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Describe the texture of this excerpt with reference to specific sound sources.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 13 seconds) from One Step Too Far performed by Dido and Faithless
with Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo will be played SIX times for you to answer
How are repetition and variety achieved in this excerpt? In your answer, refer to the concepts of music.
2010
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 34 seconds) from Let it Be performed by Benny Benassi and The Biz will
be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe how musical interest is created in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 21 seconds) from the music of the film Atonement by Dario Marinelli
will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 2.
How are the concepts of pitch and duration explored in this excerpt?
Question 3 (8 marks)
Excerpts from TWO versions of Take a Longline will be played FIVE times for you to answer
Version 1 (55 seconds) is performed by The Angels.
Version 2 (1 minute 26 seconds) is performed by Tourettes.
Both versions will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
Compare the use of both tone colour and expressive techniques in the two versions of Take a Longline.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 7 seconds) from I Feel Pretty by Leonard Bernstein, arranged and
performed by the Oscar Peterson Trio, will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Describe how unity and contrast have been achieved in this excerpt.
In your answer, refer to the concepts of music and specific examples from the excerpt.
2009
Question 1 (6 marks)
The 12th century composition (1 minute 21 seconds) Ductia (Anonymous)
performed by Ars Antiqua de Paris will be played FIVE times for you to answer
(a) Identify THREE tone colours you hear in this excerpt.
1. ........................................................................................................................
2. ........................................................................................................................
3. ........................................................................................................................
(b) Discuss how tone colour emphasises the changes in texture.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 4 seconds) from Grace Kelly (Acoustic) by Mika, Jodi Marr,
John Merchant and Dan Warner, and performed by Mika, will be played SIX times for you to
answer Question 2.
Focusing on the concept of pitch, describe how contrast is achieved in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
Excerpts of two versions of Took the Children Away by Archie Roach will be played.
Version 1 (53 seconds) is performed by Archie Roach.
Version 2 (1 minute 14 seconds) is performed by Archie Roach and the Australian Art Orchestra.
Both versions will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
Compare the use of duration in the two versions of Took the Children Away.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 21 seconds) from I Wanna Be Like You by Sherman and Sherman
performed by Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen will be played FIVE times for you to answer
With reference to expressive techniques and ONE other concept, describe how musical interest is achieved in this excerpt.
2008
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 31 seconds) Somebody to Love from the soundtrack Happy Feet will be
played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
In this excerpt, how does the composer maintain interest?
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 14 seconds) from Bulgar Frailach (traditional) performed by Bob
Paredes and Catherine Schieve will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Comment on the use of pitch, dynamics and expressive techniques in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 18 seconds) Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 by
Prokofiev will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Discuss the composer’s use of duration with reference to the themes and accompaniment in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 31 seconds) from The Messenger by Blaine Whittaker will be played
FIVE times for you to answer Question 4.
Define the structure of this excerpt with reference to the concepts of music.
2007
Question 1 (6 marks)
An adapted excerpt (1 minute 24 seconds) from The Owls Go by Architecture in Helsinki will
be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
In this excerpt, how is variety created through the use of tone colour?
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 16 seconds) from the first movement of Symphony No. 4 by Felix
Mendelssohn will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Describe Mendelssohn’s use of pitch in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
Two excerpts (42 seconds and 44 seconds) from Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie by Blood, Sweat and Tears will be played FOUR times for you to answer Question 3. Each excerpt is a different treatment of the theme.
Describe the differences in the musical treatment of each excerpt. Refer to the concepts of
music in your answer. (It is not necessary to address all concepts.)
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 40 seconds) from These Days by Johnny Clegg and Savuka will be played
Identify the layers of sound and describe how they are used in this excerpt.
2006
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 15 seconds) from Addicted to Bass by Puretone will be played
FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Comment on the roles of the sound sources in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (50 seconds) from the second movement (Presto) of the Norwegian Rhapsody by
Edouard Lalo will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Describe how the composer creates variety through the use of texture and duration.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 27 seconds) from Until by Sting, performed by Sting and the Brodsky
Quartet will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
By referring to the concepts of music, describe the relationship between the melody and
accompaniment in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 43 seconds) from You Are My Sunshine by Jimmy Davis and Charles
Mitchell, performed by James Morrison, will be played SIX times for you to answer
Question 4.
How are dynamics and expressive techniques explored in this excerpt?
2005
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 10 seconds) from Danza de los Enanos by Mestisay will be played
FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Outline the structure of the excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 13 seconds) from Concerto Opus 10 No. 1 in F major by Vivaldi will be
played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
How is repetition used in this excerpt?
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 22 seconds) from Phlegra by Iannis Xenakis will be played FIVE times
for you to answer Question 3.
With reference to the concepts of music, describe how tension is created in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 31 seconds) from Hot Dog by Led Zeppelin will be played FIVE times
for you to answer Question 4.
Describe the use of pitch in this excerpt.
2004
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 18 seconds) from Tainted Love by The Living End will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Discuss the use of duration in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 29 seconds) from Driving by Hans Zimmer will be played FIVE times
for you to answer Question 2.
Explain the structure of this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (54 seconds) from Mas Que Nada, performed by The Idea of North, will be played
SIX times for you to answer Question 3.
Discuss how tone colour is used to create interest in this excerpt.
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 40 seconds) from Variations on America by Charles Ives will be played
SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
How is contrast achieved within this excerpt?
2003
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 33 seconds) from Muddy Water Blues by Paul Rodgers will be played
FIVE times for you to answer Question 1.
Discuss the use of pitch in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 08 seconds) from Tarakihi, an arrangement of a traditional song, will be
played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Identify the layers of sound, and describe how they are used.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 17 seconds) from Allende by Piazolla will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
How does the composer maintain interest in this excerpt?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (49 seconds) from Piano Trio No. 18 by Haydn will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 4.
Referring to the concepts of music, describe how the composer achieves unity in this excerpt.
2002
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute) from a Renaissance dance, La Volta, will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe the structure of the excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 16 seconds) from Mi Gente by Joe Zawinal will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Explain how the performing media are used in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
Music from Seven Little Australians (1 minute 58 seconds) by Bruce Smeaton will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
How is contrast created in this piece?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 50 seconds) from Filippa Giordano’s performance of Bizet’s Habanera will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 4.
Describe the solo singer’s use of pitch and expressive techniques in this performance.
2001
Question 1 (6 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 47 seconds) from Sapopemba by Comadre Florzinha will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 1.
Describe how the concepts of music are used in this excerpt.
Question 2 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 56 seconds) from the Prelude to North by Northwest by Bernard
Herrmann will be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Discuss the ways in which various rhythms are used in this excerpt.
Question 3 (8 marks)
An excerpt (1 minute 8 seconds) from Te Deum by Berlioz will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
u How are the concepts of music used to create a climax in the excerpt?
Question 4 (8 marks)
An excerpt (54 seconds) from Medicine Man by Mandingo will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 4.
Describe the structure of the excerpt, supporting your answer with reference to other musical concepts.
2000
QUESTION 1
An excerpt (1 minute 27 seconds) from On the Waterfront by Leonard Bernstein will
be played SIX times for you to answer Question 1.
How is tone colour used to maintain interest in this excerpt?
QUESTION 2
An excerpt (1 minute 15 seconds) from No Images by Sweet Honey in the Rock will
be played SIX times for you to answer Question 2.
Describe the use of pitch in this excerpt.
QUESTION 3
‘Dance’ (56 seconds) from Divertimento for Band by Vincent Persichetti will be
played FIVE times for you to answer Question 3.
Describe in detail the structure of this movement.
QUESTION 4
An excerpt (1 minute 38 seconds) from Right Here, Right Now performed by Fat Boy
Slim will be played FIVE times for you to answer Question 4.
By referring to the concepts of music, describe how unity and contrast are achieved in
this excerpt.