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Homework w/c 12th Sept
Composition
Please submit here by the end of TUESDAY 20th.
Use the link in comments on last week’s submission to find your Composition Log and update:
1. Transfer your initial research to the relevant box
2. Document where you are getting textures for your next sketch. Sonata form links can be found here: https://alevelmusic.com/alevelcompositionhelp/composing-help/sonata-form-2/ but you should do your OWN RESEARCH and find relevant pieces.
This week you should correct/develop/replace last weeks work and come up with another idea (e.g. a second subject)
Essay
Continue revising and preparing for the Topic A test in the w/c Monday 19th September. Resources here.
Performance
As soon as possible you should decide on your programme and submit the form. The deadline is not for a few weeks but the SOONER THE BETTER.
Homework w/c 12th September
Three final homeworks for this week to be completed BEFORE Sunday evening please. Have a go on Thursday and come to my workshop on Friday at 11.30 if you are struggling:
There are two short homeworks to complete on Google Classroom before midday on Thursday:
If you need any help, send me an email and arrange a quick one-to-one.
Homework w/c 5th Sept
Composition
This week it is all about doing your RESEARCH and finding some good models. Assignment on Classroom is due on Tuesday by 4pm.
Essay
Continue revising and preparing for the Topic A test in the w/c Monday 19th September. Resources here.
Performance
As soon as possible you should decide on your programme and submit the form. The deadline is not for a few weeks but the SOONER THE BETTER.
A Level Results 2023
Congratulations to our 2023 leavers who achieved fantastic results that exceeded those of our 2019 cohort (the last time full exams were taken and graded normally). Students are off to study music at a wide range of institutions including Birmingham Conservatoire, Manchester University, Newcastle University and Birmingham University.
Summary of Results
| Grades | Percentage |
| Students A*-B |
76%(compared to 50% nationally) |
| Students achieving at least a C |
88%(compared to 75% nationally) |
| Pass rate |
100% |
Value Added
At least as important as raw grades is how our students’ progress compares with other institutions. Our ALPS grade of 3 for music, puts us in the top 25% of institutions for progress in music. We have maintained positive value added in music (i.e. our students do better than expected) for well over a decade, a record of which we are very proud.
Previous results
Since the new A level specification started in 2017 on average 76% of our students have achieved at least a B, a record of which we are very proud.
Summer Work
As well as making sure you relax and recharge your batteries, make time for these summer tasks:
- Review Haydn 104 for a Short Answer Test in the first week back
- Create notes on symphonies for a timed essay on Topic A (form and structure). You are advised to put together a card/sheet for each symphony. There is a video and framework linked to in this task on Google Classroom. Remember there are also some notes on essay topics relating to Haydn 104 in the new essay booklet issued earlier this term
- Keep your hand in on your instrument and on the pieces you will play for the exam
If you are at a loose end, here are some other things you could do:
- Have a go at some ideas for your free composition (which can be anything you like)
- Review the Debussy
- Review the AoS E Core Wider Listening Webern and Ravel pieces.
Welcome New Music Students!
Welcome to our new Year 12 Music students!
I am looking forward to meeting you again. There is not much you need to do yet but:
- Make sure you attend the music enrichment and lessons session at 12.15 on your induction day in the w/c Monday Sept. 6th.
- Think about how you are going take advantage of our heavily subsidised music lessons either on your first study or (if you really want to stay with a current private teacher) on a second study. You could support your music studies with voice or piano lessons, for example. (more information here)
- Go to the Short History of Music Pages and complete the task in your Induction Booklet.
Year 12 homework (set Friday 29th April)
Rondo Final Review
Due to delays in getting your work back this week (plus concert and bank holiday) I am extending the final deadline for the Rondo until Friday 13th May (at the end of the half-week of exams). Next Friday (6th May) I will take in all work for a final review before this deadline.
Next steps might be …
- adding a D section
- making some small changes to the reprise of the ABA (after the C section)
- adding a coda
For most of you some of the following are things that you need to consider:
- Coda (some links at the bottom of this page: https://alevelmusic.com/alevelcompositionhelp/wct-fingerprints/)
- Using smaller textures (https://alevelmusic.com/alevelcompositionhelp/writing-and-developing-a-simple-classical-theme/stage-4-texture/string-quartet-textures/string-quartet-reduced-textures/)
- Adding parallel motion (see https://alevelmusic.com/alevelcompositionhelp/wct-fingerprints/3-parallel-motion-3rds-and-6ths/)
- Dynamics and articulation (https://alevelmusic.com/alevelcompositionhelp/composing-help/dynamics-and-articulation/)
REVISION
Revise for the test and essay next week using the resources here
Year 12 Music HW w/c 4th April and EASTER
EASTER WORK (due Monday we get back)
- Research on Topic E (Finales)
- Haydn last movement – Review 1
- Don’t forget the ongoing work you should be doing for your Performance Log (interim submission beginning of May)
Note: I have slightly changed our published schedule. Both the Haydn Movement 4 Short Answer and the Finales (Topic E) Essay will now be in the SECOND week after Easter (w/c 2nd May) and those will be the last timed assessments before the Internal exams.
Year 12 Homework w/c 16th March
Composition
You need to do corrections and write a C section by the end of TUESDAY next week (on Google Classroom). Rondo notes to on A level music.
Essay work
Make notes on readings, ALM development of the symphony and video for Harmony and Tonality essay topic. (on Google Classroom). We will look at this in class on WEDNESDAY 23rd March and there will be a timed essay on WEDNESDAY 30th March.
Short Answer Revision
You need to revise the first and third movements for a short answer test on Wednesday 6th April. You should use the revision videos (links here), and your annotated scores to make sure you know these movements really well. I will set some revision tasks next week on Google Classroom but make a start now on some basic review.
Homework w/c 7th March
Complete your Rondo Composition tasks (this week)
Prepare for a test on MOVEMENT TWO on WEDNESDAY with the following resources: