Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91092 about?

Accepted Answer

You need to compose two pieces of music from scratch that are your own original work. Each piece must be presented in two ways: a recording (audio file) that people can listen to, and written/visual documentation (like sheet music, chord charts, or diagrams) that shows what you actually composed. You can work alone or with a small group, but either way you need to create music that's properly developed and structured.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91092?

Accepted Answer

1. Generate original musical ideas (riffs, melodies, chord progressions, repeated patterns, or tonal ideas) that form the basis of each piece 2. Develop those ideas by manipulating them through changes in timbre (instrument sounds), texture (layers), and compositional techniques like repetition, sequence, or layering 3. Structure and organize your musical ideas into a coherent form (such as verse/chorus, ABA form, or another logical pattern) 4. Create an audio recording or audio-visual file of each piece that can be played without specialist music software 5. Provide clear visual representation (music notation, chord charts, lead sheets, tablature, graphic notation, or written description) that shows your compositional intentions for each piece

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91092?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You compose two pieces with musical ideas that are present and can be followed, with some basic development and structure, and you provide both an audio recording and some form of visual documentation. Merit: You compose two pieces where the musical ideas are developed and structured coherently throughout, the pieces show clear stylistic control, and both audio and visual representations clearly communicate what you've composed. Excellence: You compose two pieces where the musical ideas are developed and structured skilfully with assured stylistic control, and your representations convincingly demonstrate your full compositional intentions with sophistication.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91092?

Accepted Answer

1. Submitting only an audio recording without proper visual representation (sheet music, chord charts, notation, or clear written description) — both are required 2. Creating pieces that lack clear development or structure — just stringing ideas together without manipulating them or organizing them into a recognizable form 3. Providing incomplete or vague visual documentation that doesn't clearly show what was actually composed, making it impossible for someone else to understand or perform your work

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