Presenting Music Project

Student Technology Performance Examples (Upload 3)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Should the 6 minutes maximum presenting as a creator be one piece or multiple pieces?

I recommend multiple pieces, but it can be either one piece or multiple - as long as all four AOI's are covered between creating and performing.  The most common way to approach this is to have two pieces, representing two AOI's. However, there have been examples in the past of students doing one long composition without penalty - but the composition covered more than one AOI. 

Can we SAMPLE?

For presenting project, Music guide states this: "For music technology composing, all parts must be MIDI entered, or performed and recorded, by the student. (so no pre-existing, pre-recorded samples) Sampled parts and drum loops are only acceptable if the teacher can verify that the samples have been performed or recorded by the student." It also says remixing and arranging is not acceptable in this part of the project and won't be graded. So, it looks like it all needs to be student-composed; and sampling is not an option, unless the student enters each sample themselves.

Can a student REMIX a theme using music tech?

This should be okay - given these variables:

1. The theme is properly cited.

2. The examiner is looking for a LOT of creativity, not just allocating the existing lines to new sounds in an "arrangement" style. 

3. The piece should manipulate the original theme / material in such a way that they are reworked in different ways so the piece is more "inspired by" the themes / motifs than just an arrangement of it. 

In general, it's better to avoid "remixing", but it can be done.

Can I use a Pop / Folk Tune as a stimulus?

Remember you are trying to demonstrate how your work as a researcher informs your work as a creator.  The work should not be an arrangement or a rip-off.  Here are the two recommendations when using pop / folk themes / simple themes or melodies:

1. Write variations on the simple theme, making sure to veer quite far from the original in at least one variation.

2. Write a piece based on a small motif from the original, rather than the full melody. If you use the full melody, it runs the risk of falling under the "arrangment" category, which is not allowed. A small motif, however, can lead to developing a piece in many different directions.

Do we need to submit a recording of the entire piece performed every time?

The inclusion of programme notes gives the impression that they want the full piece included, but it doesn't explicitly state that anywhere....

A: You can cut and curate as you need to. It's a demonstation of the student's ability to play the piece and express through the music. Playing repeats are just wasting time, and if the piece is too long, and in one style, it will limit their ability to demonstrate the other AOI's. So cutting up the recording is a WISE thing to do!

Does the student need to play the composition themselves?

The student does not have to play the composition. Example: if written for a symphonic orchestra, you can also take the midi of the DAW used.  However, it is highly recommended that somebody who does know how to play the instrument used has a good look at it and gives feedback.

Can a student compose for another instrument other than their own instrument?

Yes.

Should the CREATION and PERFORMANCE exercises be RELATED? Specifically by Genre?

Definitely NOT connected.  The disciplines of creating and performance do not use a linked stimulus and the experiments should be DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT.  It would be a missed opportunity to demonstrate a large range of ideas if a student repeated an approach twice.

Can a student perform on more than one instrument if they are proficient on several instruments?

It is fine to do so, as long as the student is equally proficient on the two instruments. If one is considerably less proficient than their primary instrument, it should be avoided. NOTE: Students will NOT gain any extra points for playing more than one instrument.

Is a DUET okay for submission?

As long as there is a way to distinguish their part from the other part, it is considered fine. This can be done by marking their part in the score.

Does CONTEXT need to be included in the programame notes?

Given the limited word count and the need to give strong justifications for the four AOI's, there is little value including other information for which there are no credits offered in the assessment scheme.

Can I do Improvisation for my Creating Exercise?

From FB: I have a couple of students wanting to do improvisation for their PM Creating, I would assume no notation is required to be submitted for this, but that they would need to reference their stimulus for the improv. In the guide it says stimuli may include but is not limited to: chord progression, motifs, lyrics, visual stimuli, programmed loops. So, if they use like a film scene to improvise, would that stimulus just need to be explained in their program notes? Or, would we need to upload supporting materials where possible? Like a lead sheet or chord progression? Or just reference in program notes on bibliography?

Answer #1: As an examiner I can say that the improvisations that did best were those where it was obvious what the stimulus was and how much creativity came from the student.  That is not always easy to show, especially in the word count, but if you can it is best (and, for example, you can get around the word count by inserting some kind of visual, chart or table which shows their plan - as you say, like a lead sheet/chord progression/notes on overall structure, etc).  Include it in the actual document, not just as a reference in the bibliography.

Answer #2 (using music technology) A composition can be an improvisation, but the work must be original…so as long as your students music tech piece is an original creation or improvisation- you can submit the mp3 as a creation for presenting. However, if they are performing a selection, then it would have to be video recorded, as my assumption is the examiner will want to see the real time (live) manipulation of the DAW during the performance.

Can I use a backing track or do I need to create the accompaniment?

Students being assessed on their vocal performance can enhance the performance by singing over a karoke-style track if they think it will make it more genuine sounding.  However, use of the original track that includes the vocalist singing and sing over that would NOT be a good idea, for obvious reasons.

AOI #4 - Must it include a digital work or can they use an AOI #4 stimulus?

Addressing AOI 4, must the students include a 'digital work' (for example as a creation) OR, can they simply use a work from AOI 4 as a 'stimulus' and write a traditional work (String Quartet for example) based on that piece? I have one student who is petrified of digital technologies - just not his thing - and I'm wondering the extent to which I need to include a work from him which is digital.

The relevant assessment criterion asks "Does the student's programme address the four areas of inquiry?".  I would say yes, this covers AOI4, especially if he can talk about how he "translated" the electronic sounds into representations of them on the strings (though I do realise he has hardly any word count to do that in.... 🙄).

I would have a conversation with a student about how a riser in a DAW could translate to a 'slide' on a string instrument, or deliberate distortion effects could translate to playing below the bridge, or using tremolo. We found it useful to think about the desired effect on the listener and then think about how we would create the emotional effect, and then turn to possible techniques.......

Is "Upload 3" required?

The difference about upload 3 is that it's a "slot" for video submissions, and they are only necessary if the student has done a music tech performance (so the examiner can see that it is a "live" performance). In that case presumably the mp3 in upload 2 would be shorter, and upload 3 would contain the music tech video. Otherwise all the performances, as well as the compositions, are in upload 2, the mp3.

As long as they cover all 4 AOIs in their Creating and Performing for the Presenting component (combined) they do not necessarily need to upload a music tech performance. So if they have a composed a piece using music tech, they don’t have to submit a performance using music tech.

IF students perform a technology thing, it MUST include a video (if not traditional ensemble voice or instrument). Example HERE.

When do I need more than 12 minutes for my performance track mp3?

If you submit all solo music - you only need 12 minutes. If you only submit all ensemble tracks, then 2 additional minutes are required for excerpts.

Student A’s Upload Example:

• Solo (focus on an AOI #3)

• Duet for piano violin (focus on AOI #2)

• Solo in different AOI (focus on AOI #1)

• Solo in different AOI (focus on AOI #4)

12 minutes are done. Student only needs to submit the above and done.

Student B’s Upload Example:

• Ensemble piece AOI 1

• Ensemble piece AOI 2

• Ensemble piece AOI 3

• Ensemble piece AOI 4 (easier to do this AOI as composition)

This student B needs 2 additional minutes of excerpts from each of the above. Playing his 2nd clarinet part alone for 2 minutes. Could come from any of the above.

Can I double dip my AOI's?

You should NOT double dip your AOI’s, this means you will need to have at LEAST 4 different tunes to submit for performance, each representing a different AOI, and for presenting you need all 4 represented.

Can I submit recordings from DIFFERENT ensembles?

Yes, students could submit recordings from a variety of different ensembles, such as BAND, ALL-STATE, YOUTH SYMPHONY, etc…