2021 VCE Music Prescribed List of Notated Solo Works: Voice Contemporary Popular
2021 VCE Music Prescribed List of Notated Solo Works: Voice Contemporary Popular
Students may not perform the same work in more than one examination across VCE Music Performance,
VCE Music Investigation and/or VCE VET Music. This rule applies for studies undertaken in the same,
previous and/or subsequent years.
Music Investigation
Compliance requirements
Students must base their Investigation Topic on, and their examination program must include, one work
selected from a current VCE Music Prescribed list. The examination program must include at least four
contrasting works that relate to the Investigation Topic.
Music Performance
Compliance requirements
Students who select to perform as a soloist for Units 3 and 4 and select Voice Contemporary Popular as their
instrument must choose all solo works for Units 3 and 4 Outcome 1 from this list. All works performed in the
end-of-year performance examination must also be selected from this list or be approved as alternative
works.
The program for the Music Performance end-of year performance examination for Voice Contemporary
Popular must consist of at least six works including:
at least two works with live accompaniment from a single instrument such as piano, keyboard, guitar,
bass or synthesiser. Different works in the program may be accompanied by a different instrument
at least one work performed unaccompanied – suitable works are marked with an asterisk. Works that
are not marked with an asterisk may also be performed unaccompanied
no more than three works accompanied by pre-recorded backing track.
Sample programs
Sample programs for Music Performance are provided as advice only. The works need not be performed in
the order listed. Sample programs for Voice Contemporary Popular are provided at the end of this list.
2021 update
Each title listed constitutes one work.
Editions listed are for identification purposes only. Any recognised edition is acceptable. Before using an
alternative edition, students and teachers should check that it is in fact an edition of the listed work; that
is, it is not a simplified version or an arrangement of the work.
Students should use information provided in the music by the composer, arranger and/or an editor
appropriately. Details added to the original score by an editor, such as such dynamics, may be varied to
achieve the student’s intended interpretation of the work.
The closing date for alternative works and alternative instrument applications is Wednesday
24 February 2021.
The Voice Contemporary Popular list is reviewed on a regular basis. Suggestions of works for inclusion
or deletion should be sent to [email protected] with the subject line ‘Attention
Performing Arts Manager, Voice Contemporary Popular list’. For suggestions of works
to be included on the list:
provide a copy of the sheet music, publication details and, as appropriate, a description of the
lines/parts to be performed
indicate in which category the work should be listed
describe briefly why the work should be included on the list.
Categories
Vocalise (compulsory)
Blues
Gospel, R’n’B and Soul
Swing
Jazz Ballad
Latin
Contemporary Ballad
Rock/Pop
Country
Folk
Music Theatre, Cabaret and Film.
Performance of songs
The entire ‘Music Performance: Solo, Voice Contemporary popular’ performance examination must be
performed from memory.
All works must be performed in a key appropriate to the voice and vocal development of the student. This
may involve transposing the work from the original key.
All songs may be performed by all students. Minor changes may be made to the lyrics as required.
Sections of songs without voice, such as introductions and instrumental breaks, should be kept to a
minimum length. These sections may be deleted.
Repeat verses are optional. When repeating a verse, students may embellish or ornament the melody in
a way that is appropriate to the style of the song.
Students may sing more than one song from the same category.
Choosing a program
The selected program should provide the student with an opportunity to demonstrate the highest level of
performance. Care must be taken to choose an appropriate program that ensures the health of the student’s
developing voice.
Songs should be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the conventions of the listed style, for
example, a song listed in the ‘Jazz Ballad’ category should be interpreted as a Jazz Ballad.
Notation for many contemporary works is lacking in detail and in many cases does not accurately reflect
the style of the work.
Using the sheet music and reference recording in combination allows students to make decisions about
how they will interpret specific elements of music. The reference recording should be used as a guide in
determining the form and style in which the student performs the work. Students should not directly copy
the recording, but should find their own interpretation of the work. An alternative reference recording may
be used if the track is identical to that listed. For example, the same recorded track is often found on
numerous recordings of the same artist, such as a compilation album. Some identical CDs are distributed
with different catalogue numbers but have the same CD title. Use the catalogue number as a guide for
selection. Students may also listen to other recordings of the work to enhance their understanding of
interpretive possibilities for the song.
Improvisation as appropriate to the style the student has chosen for the interpretation may be
incorporated into the performance of songs. Where a student chooses to incorporate improvisation, the
original material should be presented first, for example in the first verse followed by improvisation in the
second verse. The assessment will be based on performance skills demonstrating an understanding of
styles rather than the nature of the musical ideas arising within the improvised sections. The improvised
material should embellish the performance rather than demonstrate an open-ended concept of
improvisation.
Works from the Vocalise category must be performed as ‘expressive songs’. Students may use sounds
(vowels/diphthongs) in the print music or other sounds, as appropriate. The vocalise may be
accompanied by a single instrument or a backing track (without melody line) may be used. Performing a
vocalise without accompaniment is not recommended.
Accompaniments
The accompaniment may be provided live by a single instrument such as piano, guitar, bass, synthesiser, or
another keyboard. Different works in the program may be accompanied by a different instrument.
Alternatively, students may use a recorded accompaniment. A maximum of three (3) works may be
presented with pre-recorded accompaniment. The content of the accompaniment will not be assessed in the
performance. Students may accompany themselves, for example, using guitar, keyboard/piano or a
percussion instrument. When they are deciding whether to accompany themselves or not, students should
consider whether or not their focus as a singer will be disrupted by their focus on performing the
accompaniment.
The accompaniment must not include the melody line being performed by the student. Accompanists may
need to omit this line from the accompaniment provided in sheet music. For backing tracks, it may be
necessary to use a ‘pan’ function on the play-back equipment to ensure that the melody line cannot be
heard. Some backing-track CDs offer a choice – one track with the melody line that can be used for learning
and another without the melody, which should be selected for the performance.
The notation of accompaniments in some editions is lacking detail and in many cases does not accurately
reflect the style of the work. The accompanying instrumentalist should provide a suitable accompaniment
within the style of the composition. The accompanist should present an interpretation of the work that is
consistent with the interpretation being presented by the singer. The reference recording may assist
accompanists to develop an appropriate accompaniment for the song.
Recorded accompaniments may include the sounds of one or more instruments. These may be purchased
as a pre-recorded backing track or students may present their own pre-recorded accompaniment. Students
should ensure that all backing tracks are of a high quality, altering the volume to suit the acoustics of the
room. All backing tracks including click tracks used during the recital performance must be audible to
assessors.
Blues
Works marked with an asterisk (*) are suitable to be performed unaccompanied.
Swing
Works marked with an asterisk (*) are suitable to be performed unaccompanied.
‘All or Nothing at All’ LAWRENCE, Jack and Diana Krall, The Very Best of Diana Krall, Digital download,
ALTMAN, Arthur Verve www.musicnotes.com
‘All That I Need Is Love’ GARDOT, Melody Melody Gardot, Worrisome Heart, Melody Digital download,
Gardot/Universal Classics and Jazz www.musicnotes.com
‘Basin Street Blues’ WILLIAMS, S Dean Martin – 100 Greatest Vocal Digital download,
Classics, Classic Music International www.sheetmusicdirect.com
Ray Charles, The Genius Hits the Road,
Rhino/WEA
Eva Cassidy, Live at Blues Alley, Blix Street
‘Be Good’ (Lion’s Song) PORTER, G Gregory Porter, Be Good, Motema, 2012 Digital download,
www.sheetmusicdirect.com
‘Blue Skies’ BERLIN, I Ella Fitzgerald Gold, Universal Classics & Blue Skies, Hal Leonard,
Jazz 5014
‘Dance Me to the End of COHEN, Leonard Madeline Peyroux, Careless Love, Rounder
Love’ Records Corp.
‘How High the Moon’ ELLINGTON, D Pure Ella – The very Best of Ella Fitzgerald, All Woman Jazz, PVG,
Verve, B00000690N International Music Publishers
Sarah Vaughan, Diva, Verve/UMG
Definitive Jazz Collection,
PVG, Hal Leonard 359571
‘Joyspring’ Brown, Clifford Jenny Davis, It Amazes Me, Jenny Davis Digital download
www.learnjazzstandards.com
‘I’ve Got Love to Keep Me BERLIN, Irving Cécile McLoren Salvant, Cecile, Cécile Digital download,
Warm’ McLoren Salvant www.musicnotes.com
‘Nothing I Do’ CULLUM, J Jamie Cullum, Catching Tales, Universal Digital download,
Classics & Jazz www.musicnotes.com
‘Oh Lady Be Good’ GERSHWIN, George Dianne Reeves, We All Love Ella, Verve The Gershwin Collection,
Warner Bros.
‘The Best Is Yet To BENNETT, Tony Stacey Kent, The Boy Next Door, Candid Digital download,
Come’ Productions www.musicnotes.com
‘The Frim Fram Sauce’ RICARDEL, J Diana Krall, The Very Best of Diana Krall, The Frim Fram Sauce,
Verve Music Group Amsco/Hal Leonard
‘There Will Never Be WARREN, Harry Chet Baker, Chet Baker Sings, Blue Note Digital download,
Another You’ Records www.musicnotes.com
‘What a Little Moonlight WOODS, Harry M Dianne Reeves, A Little Moonlight, Blue Digital download,
Can Do’ Note Records www.musicnotes.com
Jazz Ballad
Works marked with an asterisk (*) are suitable to be performed unaccompanied.
Latin
Works marked with an asterisk (*) are suitable to be performed unaccompanied.
Contemporary Ballad
Works marked with an asterisk (*) are suitable to be performed unaccompanied.
‘The Man with the Child BUSH, K Kate Bush, Whole Story, Toshiba EMI, Kate Bush Complete,
in his Eyes’ B000BD3620 International Music Publishers
Tina Arena, Songs of Love and Loss, EMI
‘The Last Day on Earth’ MILLER HEIDKE, Kate Curiouser, 2008, Sony BMG Music www.musicnotes.com
Rock/Pop
Works marked with an asterisk (*) are suitable to be performed unaccompanied.
Country
Works marked with an asterisk (*) are suitable to be performed unaccompanied.
‘Before He Cheats’ KEAR, Josh and Carrie Underwood, Some Hearts, 2005, 19 www.musicnotes.com
TOMPKINS, Chris Recordings
‘Born To Fly’ EVANS, Sara, HUMMON, Sarah Evans Greatest Hits, 2007 BMG www.musicnotes.com
Marcus and SCOTT, Darrell Music
‘Country Is’ CASSAR-DALY, Troy Troy Cassar-Daly, Home, 2011, Liberation Troy Cassar-Daly Songbook
or Music https://www.troycassardaley.c
‘Dream Out Loud’ Troy Cassar-Daly, Beyond the Dancing, om.au/product/songbook/
2013, Liberation Music
‘Fly’ DYE, Taylor, MARLOW, Maddie and Tae, EP, 2014, Republic www.sheetmusic.com
Maddie and VARTANYAN, Records
Tiffany
‘If Tomorrow Never BLAZY, Kent and Have Guitar Will Travel, 2006, Kent Blazy www.musicnotes.com
Comes’ BROOKS, Garth
‘I Walk the Line’ CASH, John R Johnny Cash: The Hits, 1997, Mercury www.musicnotes.com
Records
‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ UNDERWOOD, Carrie Carrie Underwood, Some Hearts, 2005, 19 www.musicnotes.com
Recordings Limited
‘Mean’ SWIFT, Taylor Taylor Swift, Speak Now Digital download,
www.musicnotes.com
‘Middle Of A Memory’ GORLEY, Ashley and Cole Swindell, You Should Be Here, 2015, www.musicnotes.com
CROWELL, Zach Warner Music
‘Not Ready To Make MAINES, Natalie, MAGUIRE, The Dixie Chicks Taking the Long Way, www.musicnotes.com
Nice’ Marty, WILSON, Dan and 2006, Sony
ROBISON, Emily
‘Oh Atlanta’ RALPHS, Mick Alison Krauss, Now That I’ve Found You, Now That I’ve Found You,
Rounder Alfred AP.PG9642
‘Runaway Train’ CHAMBERS, Casey and Casey Chambers, 2001, Barricades & www.musicnotes.com
WERCHON, Worm Brickwalls
‘Somebody Like You’ URBAN, Keith Keith Urban, Keith Urban Greatest Hits, Keith Urban Greatest Hits,
Capitol Records, Nashville Cherry Lane Music
‘Stay’ NETTLES, Jennifer Sugarland, Enjoy the Ride, 2006, Mercury www.musicnotes.com
Records
‘Trapeze’ GRIFFIN, Patty Patty Griffin, Children Running Through, www.musicnotes.com
2007, Shock Records
‘Trying to Find Atlantis’ O’NEAL, Jamie Jamie O’Neal, Brave, Capitol Records www.musicnotes.com
‘Where I Come From’ KERNAGHAN, Lee Lee Kernaghan, The New Bush, Mirabi Cool Country Guys, Alfred
‘White Liar’ LAMBERT, Miranda and Miranda Lambert Revolution, 2009, Sony www.musicnotes.com
HEMBY Natalie
‘Witchita Lineman’ WEBB, Jimmy Sheila Southern, Didn’t We: The Jimmy www.justsheetmusic.com/she
Webb Songbook et-music/jimmy-webb-wichita-
lineman/
Folk
Works marked with an asterisk (*) are suitable to be performed unaccompanied.
‘Black is the Colour’* TRADITIONAL Luka Bloom Turf, 1994, Reprise Records, www.sheetmusicplus.com/title
or Celtic Woman Believe, 2012, Celtic /celtic-woman-believe-sheet-
Woman Records music/19792982
‘Big Yellow Taxi’ MITCHELL, Joni Joni Mitchell, Hits, 1996, Reprise Records Digital download,
or www.musicnotes.com
‘Both Sides Now’
‘False, False’ * TRADITIONAL Cara Dillon, Hill of Thieves, 2008, Charcoal Digital download,
Records or Lisa Winn Out From Under, www.musicnotes.com
2003, Lisa Winn,
‘Let Her Go’ ROSENBERG, Mike Passenger, All the Little Lights Digital download,
www.musicnotes.com
‘My Father’s House’ * TRADITIONAL, Emmylou Harris, Thirteen, 1986, Warner Digital download,
arr. Bruce SPRINGSTEIN Bros. or Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska www.musicnotes.com
‘One of These Things First’ DRAKE, Nick Nick Drake, Bryter Layter, 1970, Island Digital download,
Or Records www.sheetmusicdirect.com
‘Pink Moon’ Nick Drake, Pink Moon, 1972, Island
Records
‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ Yarrow, Peter and Peter, Paul and Mary, Moving, Peter Audio www.musicnotes.com
Lipton, Leonard
‘Scarborough Fair/Canticle’ * TRADITIONAL Simon & Garfunkel, Parsley, Sage, Paul Simon, Anthology
Rosemary & Thyme, SONY Album, Music Sales
B00005NKKXB00005NKKX
or
Simon & Garfunkel, Greatest Hits, SONY
B0000024YL
or
Hayley Westenra, Celtic Treasure, Decca
‘She Moved/Moves Through TRADITIONAL Hayley Westenra Odyssey, 2005 Decca www.musicnotes.com
the Fair’
‘Slumber my Darling’* FOSTER, Stephen Heartland: An Appalachian Anthology, Digital download,
Sony BMG www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/fo
ster-songs/
‘The Parting Glass’* TRADITIONAL Cara Dillon, Hill of Thieves, Charcoal Digital download,
Records www.musicnotes.com
‘The Water is Wide’ TRADITIONAL Eva Cassidy, American Tune, Blix Street The Joan Baez Songbook,
Records 2003 [Updated2019] Amsco Publications
From The Greatest Ever
Improve Your Singing Book
… For Contemporary
Vocalists with CD including
backing tracks
‘The Voice’ GRAHAM, Brendan Celtic Woman A New Journey, 2007 Celtic www.musicnotes.com
Woman
‘Took the Children Away’ ROACH, A Archie Roach, Took the Children Away, www.musicnotes.com
Mushroom
‘Woodstock’ * MITCHELL, Joni Joni Mitchell Hits, 1996, Reprise Records www.musicnotes.com
ABAIRE, David-Lindsay ‘When Words Fail’ Shrek the Musical, Cherry Lane Brian D’Arcy James, Original
and TESORI, Janine Cast Recording, 2008, Decca
BAREILLES, Sara ‘She Used to be Mine’ (Jessie Waitress Original Cast Recording, 90
Mueller) or ‘Never Ever Getting Songs from Waitress, Hal Leonard Live, Inc & Waitress LLC
Rid of Me’
BROWN, J Robert ‘I’m Not Afraid of Anything’ Songs for A New World, Hal Leonard, 1996 Original New York Cast,
‘A Part of That’ 313188 RCA, Victor Broadway,
‘Still Hurting’ The Last 5 Years, Hal Leonard, 313206 B000003G5U
‘‘Mr Hopalong Heartbreak’ Urban Cowboy, Hal Leonard, Digital 2002 Off Broadway Cast,
Download, HX.138065 Ghostlight
Raise the Curtain, Caroline
Sheen, 2010, SimG Records
FLAHERTY, Stephen ‘Times Like This’ Lucky Stiff, Lucky Stiff, The York Theatre
‘The Phone Call’ http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/ Production, JAY Productions,
digital downloads
HOWARD, Jason ‘Astonishing’ Little Women Sutton Foster, Original
www.musicnotes.com/ Broadway Cast Recording,
2005, Ghostlight Records
David JAVERBAUM ‘Screw Loose’ Cry Baby: The Musical Alli Mauzey, Original Studio
and Adam www.sheetmusic.com Cast Recording, 2015,
SCHLESINGER, Broadway Records,
KOOMAN, Michael and ‘Out of My Head’ www.koomandimond.com/store.html#sheet Out of Our Heads, the music
DIMOND, Chris (male key or female key available) of Michael Kooman and Chris
Dimond, 2011
LARSON, Jonathon ‘One Song Glory’ Rent, EMI 1996 Original Broadway Cast,
‘Out Tonight’ or Dreamworks, B00000SALT
The Big Book of Broadway, third edition,
PVG 311658
LIPPA, Andrew ‘Fight the Dragons’ Big Fish, www.musicnotes.com/ Norbert Leo Butz, Original
‘My New Philosophy’ You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Cast Recording, 2014,
‘Pulled’ www.musicnotes.com/ Broadway Records
The Addams Family, Kristin Chenoweth, Musical
www.musicnotes.com/ Cast Recording, 1999, BMG
Krysta Rodriguez, Soundtrack
from the Musical, 2010,
Decca Label Group
LOPEZ, R and MARX, J ‘There’s a Fine, Fine Line’ Avenue Q, PVG, Hal Leonard 313269 Avenue Q 2003 Original
‘Purpose’ Broadway Cast, RCA Victor
Broadway
MENKEN, A ‘Dentist!’ Little Shop of Horrors, digital download, Broadway Cast, DRG
www.musicnotes.com Records
MINCHIN, Tim ‘Quiet’ Roald Dahl’s Matilda – The Musical Original London Cast
Wise Publications, AM1005642 Recording, 2011 RSC
Enterprises Ltd
MIRANDA, Lin-Manuel ‘Inutil’ (Useless) In the Heights, www.musicnotes.com/ Carlos Gomez, Original Cast
‘You’ll Be Back’ (Jonathon Hamilton: An American Musical, Recording, 2008, Ghostlight
Groff) or ‘Burn’ (Phillipa Soo) www.musicnotes.com/ Records
Original Broadway Cast
Recording, 2015, Hamilton
Uptown, (note, other tracks
include explicit language)
MORRISON, G and ‘Show Off’ The Drowsy Chaperone, PVG, Hal Leonard The Drowsy Chaperone
LAMBERT, L 313361 (Original Broadway Cast
Recording), Sh-K-Boom
Records
For use from 1 January 2021.
© VCAA Page 16 of 18 Annual updates are published at
www.vcaa.vic.edu.au
2021 VCE Music Prescribed list of notated solo works: Voice Contemporary Popular
PARKER, Trey, ‘I Believe' (Andrew Rannells) The Book of Mormon, Original Broadway Cast
LOPEZ, Robert and www.musicnotes.com/ Recording, 2011, Ghostlight
STONE, Matt Records
ROBINSON, Matthew 'The Girl Next Door' (Verity sheet music and recordings,
Lee Hunt Ballard) from Metro Street www.matthewleerobinson.com
or
‘No One Will Bruise’ (Patrice
Tipoki) from Atlantis
or
‘I Will Run’ (Scott Morris)
SCHWARTZ, S ‘Dancing Through Life’ Wicked, Piano Vocal Selections, Hal Wicked 2003 Original
‘Lion Tamer’ Leonard, 313267 Broadway Cast, Decca
The Magic Show, Broadway
www.onlinesheetmusic.com/ Annabelle Beechley, Close
Your Eyes, SimG Records
2009
SONDHEIM, S ‘Giants In the Sky’ Into the Woods, Warner Bros., Barbara Cook Sings Mostly
‘I Know Things Now’ www.musicnotes.com/ Sondheim, Stephen
‘Last Midnight’ SONDHEIM,
‘On the Steps of the Palace’ Original Broadway Cast,
RCA, BOOOOO2WAB
Kim Crosby1987
1987 Original Broadway Cast,
RCA, BOOOOO2WAB
SONDHEIM, S ‘Everybody Says Don’t’ Everyone Can Whistle, Vocal Selections, Mandy Patinkin Sings
or Hal Leonard, 312010 Sondheim, Nonesuch
‘There Won’t be Trumpets’ Records or Broadway Cast
Recording, Sony BMG, (Harry
Guardino)
Lee Remick, Broadway Cast
Recording1963 and 2003,
Sony BMG
YESTON, Maury ‘Guido’s Song’ Nine, vocal selections, Cherry Lane Music, Antonio Banderos, New
HL.2502895 Broadway Cast Recording,
Nine, 2003 PS Classics, 2003
Edition
Sample programs
No. 1
Vocalise ‘Blues for Hardy’ Bob Stoloff
Gospel/RnB/Soul ‘How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore’ Prince
Contemporary Ballad ‘Kissing you’ Tim Atack
Folk ‘Woodstock’ (unaccompanied) Traditional
Rock/Pop ‘Wolves’ Selena Gomez
Music Theatre ‘On the Steps of the Palace’ Stephen Sondheim
No. 2
Vocalise ‘Evolution’ George & Vertigan
Blues ‘Green River’ Ian Moss
Jazz Ballad ‘My One and Only Love Frank Sinatra
Latin ‘Waters of March’ Jobim
Country ‘Not Ready to Make Nice’ Dixie Chicks
Folk ‘Black is the Colour’ (unaccompanied) Traditional
Music Theatre ‘Quiet’ from Matilda Tim Minchin