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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Compose and arrange music 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261318  Compose and arrange music 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Music 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 02 - Culture and Arts Music 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will enable qualifying learners to create and manipulate music for use in various contexts.

Learner accredited with this Unit Standard will be capable of:
  • Composing songs, melodies and/or compositions as per client specifications.
  • Arranging a melody of a short song for the rhythm section.
  • Programming compositions using suitable music software and applying keyboard skills.
  • Recording arrangements of compositions. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Compose music according to client specifications. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Compositions include songs, melodies, jingles, movie soundtracks and/or other compositions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A composition is composed according to client specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to 20- 24 bars.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Arrange a melody of a short song for the rhythm section. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A composition is arranged for the rhythm section. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The chords are interpreted for the rhythm section. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Programme compositions by using suitable music software and applying keyboard skills. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A composition is arranged and programmed using suitable computer software and a keyboard. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Record arrangements of compositions (live arrangements/recordings). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All arrangements are completed using compositional techniques. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Include but not limited to:
  • Harmonic repetition, rhythmic repetition, melodic repetition, diminution, augmentation, inversion: exact and diatonic.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A composition arrangement is recorded according to recording practice. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any individual wishing to be assessed, (including RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must hold a minimum of NQF Level 5 competency in the sub-field.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard, must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and ETQA guidelines. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The embedded knowledge underpinning this unit standard is:
  • Song Compositional techniques.
  • Chord identification.
  • Various musical style interpretations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in a responsible manner using critical and creative thinking in composing songs, melodies and/or compositions according to client specifications. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as member of the team in composing, programming and recording music according to client specifications. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly while composing, programming and recording music according to client specifications. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using language skills in the modes of oral and/or written communication while composing and arranging a song, melody and/or composition according to client specifications. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others through responsible use of all composing, arranging and recording equipment. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  65029   Further Education and Training Certificate: Music  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.