91419 - COMPOSITION 3

EXEMPLARS OF STUDENT WORK

EXCELLENCE EXEMPLAR

For Excellence, the student needs to communicate musical intention convincingly by composing three original pieces of music.

This involves developing, structuring, and representing musical ideas imaginatively. The music demonstrates stylistic assurance and flair and communicates the intention of the composer(s) with impact. Representation conveys the intention of the composer(s) in detail.

This student has selected musical text which allows very good potential to demonstrate compositional techniques together with imagination. The strophic nature of the verses is very well balanced and structured with cleverly interwoven musical textures over a secure harmonic foundation.

The overall effect of the piece is a convincing and assured composition which has been appropriately represented in written and audio form.

For a more secure Excellence, the student could reconsider the parts of the music where the vocalists are challenged to sing at the extremity of their vocal ranges. Care over tessitura would allow the student to fully demonstrate stylistic assurance.

MERIT EXEMPLAR

For Merit, the student needs to communicate musical intention effectively by composing three original pieces of music.

This involves developing, structuring, and representing musical ideas skilfully to communicate the intention of the composer(s) with style and character. Representation accurately conveys the intention of the composer(s).

This student has composed for mixed ensemble. They use complex rhythms to represent the idea of learning advanced mathematical concepts and gradually pull their musical intention together into a well-structured piece which demonstrates style and character.

The composition is clearly represented with concise musical instructions provided; overall effectiveness is demonstrated in development of musical elements. Some imagination is shown in the way the music seems fragmented at the start but gradually gains coherence as the piece progresses, and the student begins to make sense of their mathematics class.

To reach Excellence, the student could develop their musical ideas further to fully demonstrate compositional assurance and flair.

ACHIEVED EXEMPLAR

For Achieved, the student needs to communicate musical intention by composing three original pieces of music.

This involves developing, structuring, and representing musical ideas coherently and purposefully to express the intention of the composer(s).

This student has composed for two guitars and a percussion line. The composition has a sense of style and structure, and musical sections are clearly defined and articulated. There is rhythmic interest, which adds to the sense of forward movement and purpose to the music.

To reach Merit, the student could work further on making the thematic ideas connect more to make the composition fully coherent and more skilfully developed.