Achievement Standard Making Music 91272:
Demonstrate ensemble skills by performing a substantial piece of music as a member of a group

Resource reference: Making Music 2.3B
Resource title: Group Performance
Credits: 4

Achievement -
Demonstrate ensemble skills by performing a substantial piece of music as a member of a group.
Achievement with Merit -
Demonstrate ensemble skills by performing a substantial piece of music effectively as a member of a group.
Achievement with Excellence -
Demonstrate ensemble skills by performing a substantial piece of music convincingly as a member of a group.

Student instructions:

Introduction

This activity requires you to demonstrate your ensemble skills by performing as part of a group a substantial piece of music live to an audience at a local, regional or national event.
You will be assessed on your ensemble skills, which include your contribution to the cohesion, balance, intonation, feel, style, and accuracy of the group’s performance. Improvisation skills will be assessed where appropriate to the musical style. The performance must demonstrate ensemble skills appropriate to at least a fourth year of instrumental study through group itinerant tuition.

Preparatory activities
Deciding on your performance event
See the student resource for some suggestions about what this could be.

Deciding on the makeup of your group
In consultation with your teacher, decide on the other members of your group. Ideally, your group should have three to seven members. Each must play a separate or uniquely identifiable part.
Consider whether any of the groups that you currently belong to could perform in the event (for example, a band or a cultural group, such as kapa haka, a Pasifika group, or a gospel group). Think about whether the group could meet the requirements of this task, or if the group or piece could be adapted to meet the task requirements.

Choosing the music
In consultation with your teacher, your instrumental teacher, and others in your group choose the piece of music you will play. This choice is important, as the piece needs to be substantial enough for this level of assessment. The music must have some significance and/or complexity in the repertoire for the genre.
Give a copy of the score to your classroom teacher at least a week before the event. If you cannot produce a score of traditional notation, graphic score, or tablature, an audio recording and song sheet may be adequate.
The performance should be approximately 4-6 minutes, to allow time to demonstrate the musicianship and ensemble skills required. “Ensemble skills” refer to your individual contribution to the cohesive sound of the group. They include attention to intonation, blend and balance, feel, style, and accuracy.
An audio-visual recording of the music being assessed will be made for moderation purposes.

Task
With your group, perform your piece for the audience. In a quality group performance, the performers will:
·        enthusiastically interact with each other
·        respond to each another musically
·        respond to the space in which they are performing
·        respond to the audience
·        display self-assurance
·        perform fluently, with any errors making little or no impact on the overall audience response.

Student resource
Deciding on your performance event
The type of event could include:
·        barbershop competitions
·        local performing art competitions
·        the New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Competition
·        Smoke Free Rock Quest
·        Band of Strangers (Play It Strange)
·        The National Jazz Festival
·        Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua-ā-Motu
·        the annual school music concert
·        a church concert
·        the school musical
·        a performance for the local senior citizens’ centre.

Your choice of event needs to be agreed upon with your classroom teacher prior to the event, as a quality audio-visual recording of the event will need to be made. If a recording cannot be produced, then your teacher may ask you for another performance.