Sample Essay Questions
Allow 20 minutes to write your essay (approx 3 pages)
This question is based on an excerpt from String Quartet No. 2 by Graeme Kohne.
How are Kohne's compositional techniques similar to those used in ONE other significant work you have studied? The other significant work MUST be chosen from the HSC Mandatory topic.
2014 Board of Studies HSC Exam
This piece is based on Sling-Jaw Wrasse from Six Fish by Nigel Westlake.
Compare the use of duration and ONE other concept of music in Sling-Jaw Wrasse with the way in which both concepts are used in ONE other significant work you have studied.
The other significant work MUST be chosen from the HSC Mandatory topic.
2013 Board of Studies HSC Exam
Compare Bernstein's treatment of musical ideas in Turkey Trot (from question 3) with the
treatment of musical ideas in a significant work that you have studied in the
HSC Mandatory topic.
2012 Board of Studies HSC Exam
How have composers manipulated the concepts of music to achieve unity in their works? In your answer refer to significant works that you have studied in You HSC course.
2011 Board of Studies HSC Exam
How have composers explored the concepts of music to create works that reflect a distinctive style? In your answer refer to significant works that you have studied in your HSC course.
2010 Board of Studies HSC Exam
Discuss how the concepts of tone colour and texture have been manipulated by composers
in two or more works you have studied. One work should come from the Mandatory Topic Music of the last 25 years (Australian Focus) AND one work from the Additional Topic. Use musical quotes where appropriate to support your answer.
2009 Board of Studies HSC Exam
Choose any TWO concepts of music and compare their treatment in TWO or more works you have studied from both the Mandatory and the Additional Topics. Choose at least ONE work from the Mandatory Topic and at least ONE work from the Additional Topic and name these works.
2008 Board of Studies HSC Exam
What came to me as a revelation was the use of rhythm in developing an overall structure in music. PHILIP GLASS To what extent does this statement apply to ONE work from the Additional Topic and at least ONE work from the Mandatory Topic that you have studied? Refer to specific musical examples to support your answer.
2007 Board of Studies HSC Exam
How have composers used pitch in at least THREE works from the Mandatory Topic Music of the last 25 Years (Australian focus)?
2006 Board of Studies HSC Exam
Composers both break with and maintain musical conventions in their work. With reference to specific concepts of music, critically examine this statement in relation to at least TWO works you have studied from the Mandatory Topic Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus).
2005 Board of Studies HSC Exam
Music starts with an idea but it is the development of the idea that sustains interest. Discuss
this statement in relation to works you have studied from the Mandatory Topic ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus), and/or the Additional Topic.
2004 Board of Studies HSC
Composers choose instruments and/or voices for musically expressive purposes. Discuss this statement in relation to works you have studied from the Mandatory Topic ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus), and/or the Additional Topic. You may also refer to the works used in this examination paper.
2003 Board of Studies HSC
Contemporary composers use varying degrees of tradition and innovation. Discuss this statement in relation to the music used in Question 3 and works you have studied from the Mandatory Topic ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus). Works from question 3 were excerpts from Morricone’s Atto di Dolore and Purcell’s Timon of Athens.
2002 Board of Studies HSC
The last 25 years have been marked by composers’ exploration of tone colour and performing techniques. Discuss this statement in relation to at least TWO works you have studied from the
Mandatory Topic ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus). At least ONE work must be Australian.
2001 Board of Studies HSC
Musical works written since 1970 share as many similarities as they do differences. Discuss
this statement by referring to at least TWO works you have studied from the Mandatory Topic ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus).
2000 Board of Studies HSC
By referring to at least TWO works you have studied, discuss the compositional techniques and style that make these works representative of ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus).
Works must be selected from at least one of the following: art music, popular music, music
in radio, film and television, jazz, music for theatre.
1999 Board of Studies HSC
Allow 20 minutes to write your essay (approx 3 pages)
This question is based on an excerpt from String Quartet No. 2 by Graeme Kohne.
How are Kohne's compositional techniques similar to those used in ONE other significant work you have studied? The other significant work MUST be chosen from the HSC Mandatory topic.
2014 Board of Studies HSC Exam
This piece is based on Sling-Jaw Wrasse from Six Fish by Nigel Westlake.
Compare the use of duration and ONE other concept of music in Sling-Jaw Wrasse with the way in which both concepts are used in ONE other significant work you have studied.
The other significant work MUST be chosen from the HSC Mandatory topic.
2013 Board of Studies HSC Exam
Compare Bernstein's treatment of musical ideas in Turkey Trot (from question 3) with the
treatment of musical ideas in a significant work that you have studied in the
HSC Mandatory topic.
2012 Board of Studies HSC Exam
How have composers manipulated the concepts of music to achieve unity in their works? In your answer refer to significant works that you have studied in You HSC course.
2011 Board of Studies HSC Exam
How have composers explored the concepts of music to create works that reflect a distinctive style? In your answer refer to significant works that you have studied in your HSC course.
2010 Board of Studies HSC Exam
Discuss how the concepts of tone colour and texture have been manipulated by composers
in two or more works you have studied. One work should come from the Mandatory Topic Music of the last 25 years (Australian Focus) AND one work from the Additional Topic. Use musical quotes where appropriate to support your answer.
2009 Board of Studies HSC Exam
Choose any TWO concepts of music and compare their treatment in TWO or more works you have studied from both the Mandatory and the Additional Topics. Choose at least ONE work from the Mandatory Topic and at least ONE work from the Additional Topic and name these works.
2008 Board of Studies HSC Exam
What came to me as a revelation was the use of rhythm in developing an overall structure in music. PHILIP GLASS To what extent does this statement apply to ONE work from the Additional Topic and at least ONE work from the Mandatory Topic that you have studied? Refer to specific musical examples to support your answer.
2007 Board of Studies HSC Exam
How have composers used pitch in at least THREE works from the Mandatory Topic Music of the last 25 Years (Australian focus)?
2006 Board of Studies HSC Exam
Composers both break with and maintain musical conventions in their work. With reference to specific concepts of music, critically examine this statement in relation to at least TWO works you have studied from the Mandatory Topic Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus).
2005 Board of Studies HSC Exam
Music starts with an idea but it is the development of the idea that sustains interest. Discuss
this statement in relation to works you have studied from the Mandatory Topic ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus), and/or the Additional Topic.
2004 Board of Studies HSC
Composers choose instruments and/or voices for musically expressive purposes. Discuss this statement in relation to works you have studied from the Mandatory Topic ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus), and/or the Additional Topic. You may also refer to the works used in this examination paper.
2003 Board of Studies HSC
Contemporary composers use varying degrees of tradition and innovation. Discuss this statement in relation to the music used in Question 3 and works you have studied from the Mandatory Topic ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus). Works from question 3 were excerpts from Morricone’s Atto di Dolore and Purcell’s Timon of Athens.
2002 Board of Studies HSC
The last 25 years have been marked by composers’ exploration of tone colour and performing techniques. Discuss this statement in relation to at least TWO works you have studied from the
Mandatory Topic ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus). At least ONE work must be Australian.
2001 Board of Studies HSC
Musical works written since 1970 share as many similarities as they do differences. Discuss
this statement by referring to at least TWO works you have studied from the Mandatory Topic ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus).
2000 Board of Studies HSC
By referring to at least TWO works you have studied, discuss the compositional techniques and style that make these works representative of ‘Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus).
Works must be selected from at least one of the following: art music, popular music, music
in radio, film and television, jazz, music for theatre.
1999 Board of Studies HSC