NTMS Instrumental and Vocal Syllabus

Introduction to the NT Music School Instrumental and Vocal Syllabus.

The 4th draft Northern Territory Music School (NTMS) Instrumental and Vocal Syllabus was completed inJuly 2015, based on the need for a structured, consecutive curriculum supporting quality instrumental and vocal music teaching programs. The Syllabus covers woodwind, brass, guitar, bass guitar, percussion and vocal instruction.

The Syllabus provides a continuous learning sequence comprising five “Levels” that encourages students to be good musicians, not just good players or performers.  Though it is acknowledged that students learn at different rates, and there are a range of circumstances that affect consistent lesson delivery, as a general guide ideally a “Level” can be completed in one year. Level One equates to the first year of learning, which is generally Year 5 but may include Year 4 students in some cases. Level Two is the second year of learning, and a bridging level to Level Three which is designed to match an AMEB Grade 2/3 standard.  Level Four and Five are also designed to match AMEB Grades 4 & 5 levels, allowing students to enter Senior School music with a solid foundation in musicianship and performance studies. In practice, content within each level is taught in “Stages”. Student progress is measured by advancement through these stages over time.

Levels comprise 10 key competency areas:
Theory, Practice, Technique, Tone, Expression, Pitch Range, Sight Reading, Aural, Improvisation and Performance.

By the end of Level Five, students should be able to:

•Be familiar with and have the ability to utilize all aspects of their instrument.

•Have developed practice skills in reflective and autonomous learning.

•Have developed a total body posture that permits the most efficient movement for both playing/singing and stamina during performance.

•Have developed an awareness of what constitutes a good tone and strive to produce that quality while playing or singing.

•Demonstrate the full capabilities of their instruments/voice range.

•Have developed an ‘inner ear’.

This Syllabus document remains in draft form, to allow for reflection and modification responding to the changing needs and nature of students, consistent with the NT Music Schools’ continuous improvement agenda. It can be downloaded here:

NT Music School Instrumental and Vocal Syllabus

NT Music School Instrumental and Vocal Syllabus provides a continuous learning sequence comprising five "Levels" that encourages students to be good musicians, not just good players or performers.

• Bass Guitar
• Brass
• Guitar
• Percussion
• Voice
• Woodwind