91273 - INSTRUMENTATION

EXEMPLARS OF STUDENT WORK

EXCELLENCE EXEMPLAR

For Excellence, the student needs to devise a convincing instrumentation for an ensemble.

This involves devising an instrumentation that shows:

• imaginative and idiomatic use of instruments

• skilful use of timbres and textural density

• clear, accurate, and detailed written scores.

This student has devised a convincing instrumentation for rock band. The work shows imaginative and idiomatic use of the instrumental combinations and skilful use of timbres and textural density. The drum part is particularly effective with the hi-hat providing a ‘lead-in’ effect in the introductory section (bars 1-8).

Attention has been paid to dynamic, tempi and articulation markings in the clear and detailed score. A drum key is provided.

This is subtle instrumental writing which shows careful consideration of how the original score ‘ebbs and flows’, and it also captures the mood created by the title. Varying layering of textures and timbres creates dynamic interest, much like a terraced effect (e.g. bars 27-34).

For a more secure Excellence, the student could consider more imaginative use of instruments, for example, hammer on/off could be used to recreate the effect of slurs in the original piano part. Minor errors could be corrected to make the score fully accurate, such as at bar 27 where the bass is given a C#, while the source has a G.

MERIT EXEMPLAR

For Merit, the student needs to devise an effective instrumentation for an ensemble.

This involves devising an instrumentation that shows:

• developed understanding of instrument combinations, timbres and ensemble writing

• variety of textural density.

This student has devised an instrumentation for a string quartet. The instrumentation demonstrates developed understanding of instrumental combinations, timbres and ensemble writing. Instruments are within range, and the melodic and harmonic intentions of the composer have been maintained. Articulation markings from the original piano score are transcribed effectively for strings, for example, the staccato in bars 11-14 for violin I.

A variety of textural density has been shown, generally within traditional string quartet voicings. For example, violin I maintains the solo melodic and virtuosic line.

To reach Excellence, the student could consider specifying articulation, e.g. bar 10, violin I (bowing) and utilising more skilful use of timbres. For example, a specific string technique and timbral effect such as pizzicato (bars 11-26, cello) could be an appropriate place for this. Tidying up missing notes and incorrect notes (e.g. bar 2, viola) would make the score fully accurate and convincing.

MERIT EXEMPLAR

For Merit, the student needs to devise an effective instrumentation for an ensemble.

This involves devising an instrumentation that shows:

• developed understanding of instrument combinations, timbres and ensemble writing

• variety of textural density.

This student has devised an instrumentation for brass ensemble which demonstrates a general understanding of instrument combinations, timbres and ensemble writing. Transposition for the ensemble (from the piano score) is accurate. Musical texture uses variety, such as the polyphonic entries at bars 7-10. The timbral use of tenor horn and euphonium playing the chorale at 8ves from bar 17 works well.

For a more secure Merit, the student could further develop their understanding of timbre and use of registration. The upper register trumpet/cornet parts (e.g. bars 8, 22-25) could only be played by highly experienced performers especially considering the dynamic level. Further, the E♭ bass part needs to be written in range from bars 41-44.

RESOURCES FOR AS 91273