GRACE LUTHERAN COLLEGE

PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT

MUSIC
Year Level

Unit #

Unit title

Duration of unit

8/9

Video Game Music

Term 3-4, 15 weeks

ine

s, effective use (or lack of use) of music in videogames has proven to be the difference between a defining emotion
aching its full splendor, and what would have otherwise been a captivating moment achieving very little poignancy
ew years has seen great strides in compelling videogame narrative, so too has its use of music seen rapid developm
study and analyse the use of music from the 70s Atari 8-bit to the rich orchestral scores of modern games.

Learning goals (inc. Differentiation)

ore read orchestral music that features various timbres and textures of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion.

up recording sessions using reaper softerware.

mpose music using midi instruments, synthesizers and loops.

dify and mix sounds to create various electronic timbres used in chiptune.
rally and visually recognise different orchestral timbres and textures.

form an instrumental arrangement

derstand how composers use the musical elements of timbre and texture to create specific moods and atmospheres

termine the mood in pieces of instrumental music

alyse video game cut scenes and game play clips to determine how the composer used orchestration , timbre, texture and
ments to create a dramatic mood or atmosphere or to musically picture the atmosphere and give a presentation about it.
ect or compose appropriate music for a student made clips and explain choices.

alyse cut-scenes from various video games and analyse the composers choice in relation to context i.e demographic, age,
rytelling, use technology.

l Learnings

ge and Understanding

Ways of Working

volves singing, playing instruments, listening,

improvising and composing by manipulating
ic elements to express ideas, considering
audiences and specific purposes, through

Students are able to:

make decisions about arts elements, languages and cultur
protocols in relation to specific style, function, audience and
of arts works
create and shape arts works by manipulating arts element
express meaning in different contexts
modify and refine genre-specific arts works, using interpre
technical skills
present arts works to particular audiences for a specific pu
style and function, using genre-specific arts techniques, skill
processes and cultural protocols
identify risks and devise and apply safe practices
respond by deconstructing arts works in relation to social,
historical, spiritual, political, technological and economic con
using arts elements and languages
reflect on learning, apply new understandings and justify f
applications.

n- primitive and militaristic rhythms; overlays of

or polyrhythms, on a multitude of instruments;
ation
ow, middle, and high registers; transposing
nts; dissonance; augmentation; atonality; pentatonic
ide pitch ranges.
- unison and octave doubling; tutti; types of scoringolyphonic melody; block chords.
cs and expressive techniques/effects- wide dynamic
mpani rolls; flam and drag on snare drums; trills,
and glissando. Altering frequency.
tion between the linear and the vertical arrangement
is used to create the texture or density of sound
ng and identifying monophonic, homophonic or
ic textures.
string terms; instrumental groups- string ensemble,
emble, percussion; electronic sounds; piccolo and
ssoon, world percussion. Electronic, synthesised and
nds.
re- binary, ternary, rhondo

ent

the assessment

Assessment da

ion

18/11

dividually, use synthesizers in Reaper and well as percussion/drum samples to compose a piece of
inary form to accompany a 30 second clip from a platform game in an 8-bit style.

gy

m of music used in video games 60 mins:

mposers manipulate music elements used in different video game genres to create mood and
e the narrative to enhance the gaming experience.

28/10

ent

RPG:Legend of Zelda, Final fantasy. Action/shooter: Perfect dark, Call of duty. Platform: Mario Bros.
ing: need for speed, Mariokart.

nce

13/9

p ensemble performance of a piece of music from a video game.

ship

22/11

usic theory exam.

Unit Ove

Week

What

Adjustments for
needs of
learners

Resources

Assessment/No
tes