Scholarship

This must include:

(a) A video recording of up to 15 minutes of the you performing music from one or two of the following options:

• performance as a featured soloist of a significant work or programme of works

• group performance

• performance on a second instrument.

If available, a copy of the score of the works performed should be supplied with the recording.

The performance must:

• be a continuous and unedited recording made at a particular performance event

• be no more than 15 minutes in duration (including pauses between items)

• take place in front of an audience

• be recorded by a stationary camera, and the sound recording should be of the highest-possible fidelity.

Note: The maximum duration of the performance is set at 15 minutes, as this is considered to be sufficient time for a candidate to demonstrate their fulfilment of the requirements for Scholarship. A performance that exceeds this time limit by a few seconds will not be penalised, but the marker will not watch the remainder of a performance that significantly exceeds this time.

(b) A critical reflective analysis of the work(s) that may involve, but is not limited to, discussion of:

• choice of repertoire

• programming decisions

• how characteristics of the music were considered in preparing the performance (e.g. rhythmic features, tonality, tempo, dynamics)

• how stylistic features of the music were considered in preparing the performance (e.g. ornamentation in Baroque music, technological effects in rock, improvisation in jazz, cultural practices)

• how technical issues were considered in preparing the performance (e.g. bowing, picking, fingering, breathing, stance, diction, language, articulation)

• how musicianship issues were considered in preparing the performance (e.g. balance and voice-leading).

This must include:

(a) The score and audio recording of a significant work or a selection of shorter works  you have composed.

The recording:

• may comprise any combination of live performance or computer realisation of the work(s) (i.e. inclusion of a live performance is not mandatory)

• must be no more than 15 minutes in duration

• may include one arrangement or re-composition (not more than 5 minutes in duration).

(b) A critical reflective analysis of the work(s) that may involve, but is not limited to, discussion of:

• choice of instrumentation

• choice of texts

• how musical ideas were developed and structured

• issues related to notation

• how technical demands of realisation of the music in performance music were considered (e.g. bowing, fingering, breathing, language, articulation, conducting a performance)

• how stylistic features were considered

• how the work is representative of the developing skills, style, and/or philosophy of the composer.

This must include:

(a) A comprehensive study, along with an annotated score, of a substantial musical work. This may be in the form of an essay of no longer than 3000 words, or a video seminar (no longer than 15 minutes in duration), and must include:

• an examination of FIVE musical elements deemed by the candidate to be most significant

• a critical discussion outlining the musical contribution of each element in relation to the success and/or effectiveness of the work.

(b) A critical reflective analysis of the work, which may involve, but is not limited to, discussion of:

• the extent to which the musical elements are typical of the period in which the work was written

• the place of the work in the composer’s output

• the place of the work in the development of the genre

• implications of this work on future composers and their compositions

• a personal reflection on the work.