CBA2: Write a Programme Note

Introduction

This unit aims to support teaching and learning through the Music CBA2: Write a programme note. This unit of learning will help guide students towards writing a programme note that will include some facts on the composer or the songwriter, some interesting points about the purpose behind the composition and some musical highlights so that the audience or the listener can be alerted to and be aware of the context of the pieces for the practical examination.

Learning Outcomes

The CBA journey in writing a programme note features learning outcomes across the three strands of:

Procedural Knowledge: Innovate and Ideate: Culture and Context:

1.5 read, interpret and play from symbolic representations of sounds

1.10 discuss the characteristics and defining features of contrasting styles of music represented in the local school or community

1.11 illustrate the structure of a piece of music through a physical or visual representation

1.12 indicate where chords changes occur in extracts from a selection of songs

1.13 compare different interpretations or arrangements of a piece of Irish traditional or folk music, paying attention to musical elements and other influences

1.14 compare pieces of music that are similar in period and style by different composers rom different countries

2.4 rehearse and present a song or brief instrumental piece; identify and discuss the performance skills and techniques that were necessary to interpret the music effectively

2.5 prepare and rehearse a musical work for an ensemble focusing on co-operation and listening for balance and intonation; refine the interpretation by considering elements such as clarity, fluency, musical effect and style

2.8 analyse the chordal structure of excerpts from a range of songs and compile a list of songs with similar chord structures and progressions

2.9 distinguish between the sonorities, ranges and timbres of selections of instruments and voices; identify how these sounds are produced and propose their strengths and limitations in performance

2.10 develop a set of criteria for evaluating a live or recorded performance; use these criteria to complete an in-depth review of a performance

3.2 examine and interpret the impact of music on the depiction of characters, their relationships and their emotions, as explored in instrumental music of different genres

3.3 make a study of a particular contemporary or historical musical style; analyse its structures and use of musical devices, and describe the influence of other styles on it

3.6 associate/match music excerpts to a variety of texts (words, film, language) and justify the reasons as to why this piece of music was chosen to match the text

3.7 compare compositions by two or more Irish composers or songwriters; use listening, background reading, and scores (where appropriate) to explain and describe differences and similarities in the compositions

3.9 investigate the influence of processing effects (e.g., distortion, reverb, compression) on the recording process; select some recordings and evaluate the use and effectiveness of such effects within them

Week 1

Key Learning:

  • Choose performance pieces

  • Research the background and musical features of these pieces

  • Grade exemplars of programme notes

  • Choose your practical pieces and arrange your performance

Week 2

Key Learning:

  • Choose a suitable format to compile and draft the programme note

  • Edit programme note to include points that will illuminate your performance for the listener

  • Draft programme note in a format of your choosing

Week 3

Key Learning:

  • Present programme note

  • Grade your own programme note

  • Reflect on the journey towards completing your programme note


Success Criteria

Week 1

Students should be able to:

  • Research and analyse features of pieces of music using appropriate musical terms

  • Grade and model features of different programme notes from 'yet to meet expectations' to 'exceptional'.

  • Select their pieces for their practical

Week 2

Students should be able to:

  • Critically evaluate their performance solo or as member of a group for the purpose of the programme note

  • Compile research material for each piece of music into a selected format

  • Draft and refine their programme note along features of quality

Week 3

Students should be able to:

  • Submit programme note to google classroom and complete a reflection on their CBA