Kaiapoi High School Kaiapoi High School

Level 3 Music and Taonga Puoro

L3MUSP
Course Description

Head of Faculty/Teacher in Charge: Mr E. Mead.

Recommended Prior Learning

To be accepted for this course, students must have earned a minimum of 14 credits from Level 2 Music with passes in either solo performance and/or composition, or have received HOD approval from Mr. Mead.  Approval will be given to students who have not taken Level 2 music and are choosing this course to take the taonga puoro standards. 

At Level 3, you’ll refine your skills, deepen your understanding, and shape your unique voice as a musician or taonga pūoro practitioner. This course allows you to specialise in either Western music, taonga pūoro, or a combination of both – depending on your strengths, interests, and aspirations.

In the Music strand, you’ll continue to develop advanced skills in performance, composition, and musical analysis. Whether you're a vocalist, instrumentalist, or composer, you can design a programme that supports your creative direction. You’ll also have priority access to free itinerant music lessons to support your development.

In the Taonga Pūoro strand, you’ll step into the role of practitioner and cultural storyteller. You’ll construct and refine your own instrument using traditional methods, explore the powerful history of taonga pūoro – from suppression to revival – and use advanced techniques to express your personal and cultural identity through performance. This course values creative independence, cultural leadership, and connection to te ao Māori.

Whether you’re heading toward tertiary study, the music industry, or just want to create something deeply meaningful, this course will support you to find and amplify your voice.




Course Overview

What is taught in courses varies from year to year. This course could include:
Students choose which standards they wish to complete, this process is guided by their teacher to keep the workload realistic and achievable.

Standards available are:

Taonga Pūoro Standards:
30244 – Demonstrate knowledge of the historical demise, renaissance, and revival of taonga pūoro
30245 – Construct and refine taonga pūoro
30246 – Perform using taonga pūoro

Music Achievement Standards:
91416 – Solo Performance
91417 – Second Instrument Performance
91418 – Group Performance
91419 – Composition (this focuses on musical elements)
91849 - Songwriting (this focuses on lyrics and storytelling)
91420 – Research a music topic

Faculties:

The Arts


Career Pathways

Musician, Entertainer, Media Producer, Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Tertiary Lecturer, Private Teacher/Tutor, Secondary School Teacher



			


				






    

        
Disclaimer

        
Please note that courses will go ahead only if student numbers, staffing, and timetabling allow it.  Where a subject is oversubscribed, and there are insufficient numbers or resources to create an extra class, a ballot system may be applied.  
Costs
KHS aims to deliver educational courses over and above that which is funded by the Ministry, however parental contribution for the costs of trips and activities where participation is optional, and/or components not covered by the Government grant may be requested, and we appreciate the financial support our families make to the School.