A-level music induction Outcomes: To have an understanding of the course To apply analysis skills to a set work

Expectations of you What do you think will be expected of you next year as A 6th form student As a music student 6th Form student Develop independence Resilience Effective use of prep time Effective use of free period Attendance is essential (including P6 lessons) Music student * Committed to performance- practicing for recitals in school. * Commitment to Chamber choir – extremely helpful for listening exam. * Commitment to at least one other extra curricular. * To be involved in leading and organising concerts in department. To perform in at least one lunchtime concert a term.

Performance- 30% A minimum 8 minute performance (completed at any time). Aiming for a grade 8 standard. Like GCSE, we will do recordings every term for feedback and development. 60 marks Externally marked

Composition- 30% 1 composition (20% of overall qualification- 40 marks) over 4 minutes Either based on brief (released Sept 2020) or free composition. 1 technical study (10% of overall qualification- 20 marks)- 4-part harmony/Bach chorale Total of 24-36 bars of soprano part given. You need to harmonise with A,T,B. A rule based technique. You like maths, so you will love this! This part is a 6 hour exam released on 1st April 2021 and will be completed in class

Listening and appraising- 40% Music like GCSE- listening, aural dictation and essays! Biggest change is YOU are in control of the CD (good, but bad for time management!) You have 18 set works 100 marks 3X listening questions on 3 separate set works 8 marks aural dictation (pitch and rhythm together) on unseen music 1X 20 mark essay unseen piece analysing DR T SMITH. Audio only (no score) 1X 30 mark essay (choice of 3) on one set work. Partial score only (no audio)

Listening and appraising- 40% A considerable change from GCSE is the addition of having a wider understanding of music. In the essays (50% of exam), you will need to show understanding of historical, social and cultural developments to understand composers intention. Some examples: * Russian revolution * 1st and 2nd world war * the counter-cultural rise of teenagers in 1960s * the oppression of women and their place in society You will also need to know “wider listening” that backs up your thoughts on the above Let’s try this now….

Listening and appraising- 40% Choose one. What is it? How could it affect music? Associated composers Russian revolution 1st and 2nd world war The counter-cultural rise of teenagers in 1960s The oppression of women and their place in society Removal of Tsar and rise of soviet union. Composers became free to compose as they wished instead of abiding to rules of strict regime. Stravinsky and Shostakovich You know what it is! Wide spread comradery and pride of England led to nationalist music. Elgar and Vaughn-Williams After a period of austerity, young people were frustrated with restrictions applied to them from their elders. They started to rebel. Music became controversial- parents hated it, teenagers loved it. Started with Elvis , then the Beatles. The same happens today…. Eminem and other rap/hip hop. Women were expected to stay at home and not work. Female composers did not get sufficient publicity and means to explore their craft. Music was written to satisfy need of the time. Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendlessohn, Alma Mahler (and yes, they are all related to famous male composers!)

Listening and Appraising DR T SMITH on a set work on a 30 second extract. THEN look at score- how close were they?

For next year A-level music anthology (from 2016). Coloured cover NOT the grey one. We can print this for you in sections in you need. Manuscript paper (you can get this from Whsmith, for example) An A4 note pad An A4 ring binder for your notes

For next year- homework Ensure that you know* your key signatures (* you need to be able to distinguish a key from a key signature within 5 seconds for your 4 –part harmony exam) Complete a composer timeline of all your set work composers. Add an additional 20 IMPORTANT composers to this timeline Listen to your NEW DIRECTIONS set works (we will start with these). Produce a fact sheet about the three composers in NEW DIRECTIONS. This will help our social/historical/cultural (SHC) understanding

Set Works Vocal Music Instrumental Music Music for Film J. S. Bach, Cantata, Ein feste Burg Mozart, The Magic Flute Vaughan Williams, On Wenlock Edge Instrumental Music Vivaldi, Concerto in D minor, Op. 3 No. 11 Clara Wieck-Schumann, Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17: movement 1 Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique Music for Film Danny Elfman, Batman Returns Rachel Portman, The Duchess Bernard Herrmann, Psycho Popular Music and Jazz Courtney Pine, Back in the Day Kate Bush, Hounds of Love Beatles, Revolver Fusions Debussy, Estampes Familia Valera Miranda, Caña Quema Anoushka Shankar, Breathing Under Water New Directions Cage, Three Dances for Two Prepared Pianos Kaija Saariaho, Petals for Violoncello and Live Electronics Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring