music
AS/A2 Music AS/A2 Music Technology
Welcome to the Music Department at Carmel College In November 2005 HRH The Duke of Gloucester opened Carmel’s Centre for Music and Media and today we offer some of the best facilities in the region for Music and Music Technology. Students currently number approximately 45 and we offer exciting opportunities for performance, composition and studio recording. Studying Music and/or Music Technology will give students musical skills, confidence and a life-long appreciation of music.
AS/A2 Music
EXAM BOARD: EDEXCEL
meet the students SUSANNAH DEAN St Julie’s
Studying: Music, Music Technology, English Language, Performance Studies Since I started at Carmel in September I have learnt so much in Music and Music Technology; they are both new and interesting subjects. Whilst a lot is expected of students here, the lessons are really enjoyable and the teachers treat you like adults. I have particularly enjoyed my piano lessons because they have been very beneficial to my coursework. I also enjoy performing with the choir. When I leave I hope to move to London to study Musical Theatre at university.
meet the tutors STEPHEN NEWLOVE Head of Department, Singer, Composer, Pianist and Professional Tenor Soloist.
TOM MOSS Music Tutor, Freelance Composer, Arranger and Performer. Tom has had work commissioned and performed for radio by the BBC.
WHY CHOOSE MUSIC AT CARMEL?
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
At Carmel we aim to provide an environment where musicians can blossom and develop their particular strengths and talents. We encourage students to appreciate a variety of styles of music at a deeper level. We believe it is important to provide the basis of a life-long love for music through a course which is varied, challenging and, above all, enjoyable.
Recorded performances are made at the Solo Performance Evening in which the students perform one or two pieces: a combination of solo and group recordings are sent to the exam board. Students’ compositions are submitted in early May. Listening, Set Work Analysis and Understanding of Harmony are assessed in May. This is the only formal written examination.
WHAT WILL THE COURSE INVOLVE?
WHERE DOES THE COURSE LEAD?
You will improve your skills in performing and composing in a range of styles and will listen to a wide variety of music and develop a more informed appreciation of how and why music was written and performed. There are three units: Performing, Composition and Developing Musical Understanding. You can sing or perform on any musical instrument and you will have the opportunity to take part in ensemble and solo performances. You will learn the craft of notated composition. Orchestration and harmony skills as well as imaginative detail are developed.
There are many reasons why you might want to study AS-A2 Music at Carmel College. Some students prepare to go to Music College or University to study Music; others see music as an academic qualification recognised by most universities as part of the entry requirements for almost any degree course.
You will be expected to develop and improve listening and analytical skills through the study of set works. Lessons will cover the set works, composition and listening. Performance is carried out in the Lunchtime Concerts in the Dalton Theatre and in the one-to-one lessons with the instrumental tutor.
What is the Music Department like? In May 2005 the Music Department moved into its new accommodation – Carmel’s Centre for Music & Media, which was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. This state-of-the art building comprises a suite of practice rooms with new pianos, a principal teaching room, a music technology suite featuring 16 new Dell computers with Cubase SX3 and Sibelius 3 software, a performing room for recording work and a Recording Studio with mixing and editing facilities. There is a wide range of rackmounted dynamic and effects processing equipment, together with CD burning facilities. The Learning Resource Area has a large selection of music and music technology textbooks and other resources including CDs.
AS/A2 Music Technology EXAM BOARD: EDEXCEL
WHY CHOOSE MUSIC TECHNOLOGY AT CARMEL?
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
As one of the biggest music departments in the area, we have excellent facilities here at Carmel for studying Music Technology. Students have access to our recording studio, housing a wide range of industry standard recording equipment. All students get unlimited access to the facilities outside of lesson times. If you enjoy creating music using technology and exploring the development of music technology of the recent past through popular music, then this is the course for you.
70% of the subject is coursework based involving two sequenced pieces (chosen by Edexcel) and a multi-track recording containing at least eight live tracks (piece chosen by students). Listening skills (30%) are an essential part of any music course not least Music Technology where students listen to a variety of popular music and answer questions on its development and the music technology that influenced it. Listening and Analysing is assessed in late May and is the only formal written examination.
meet the students
WHAT WILL THE COURSE INVOLVE?
WHERE DOES THE COURSE LEAD?
This is a course for musicians wishing to develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge in music technology. The traditional music skills of listening and analysing, arranging and composition are placed in a contemporary technological and musical context. Lessons cover listening and technological issues as well as computer/practical work. Broadly speaking you will study:
A Level Music Technology is a rigorously academic and practical qualification, widely accepted by universities for entry to a range of courses. It is especially useful for any student considering a career or undergraduate studies in any of the performing arts, sound engineering or music production.
At Carmel the Music department is a small community of its own where everyone works as a team. I have learnt so much in the time I have been here. The Music department organised a trip to Liverpool Hope University to learn about the styles of the string quartets by Haydn, Mozart & Beethoven. I found this very useful as I had written part of my Music Technology composition for a string quartet. When I leave I hope to go to LIPA to study Music.
MIKE FOSTER Haydock Sports College
Studying: Music, Music Technology, Computing
• Computer-based sequencing and music production techniques; • Sound recording; • Arranging and composing using music technology; • Listening and analysis (pop music and jazz).
What support will I receive? Music (including Music Technology) inevitably requires you to play a musical instrument and an ability to read music fluently. ‘Reading music’ means approaching the standard of Grade 5 in Music Theory (Associate Board). If you have not reached Grade 5 then you must enrol on our Enrichment Theory classes (held once a week) or prove to us that you are actively studying theory with a private teacher. The standard of performance on your instrument or instruments should also be approaching that of Grade 5, which is the standard level set for AS Music (please note that it is only AS & A2 Music which requires you to be examined on your instrument/voice). AS/A2 Music students receive half an hour tuition on their instrument per week free. Other support includes one-to-one tutorials throughout the week and revision classes.
meet the tutors PERIPATETIC TUTORS: DOROTHY PARR (Piano) LUKE JENNINGS (Guitar) ANNA HUGHES-WILLIAMS (Brass)
JAMES DODD (Drum Kit) JACKIE HOWARD (Woodwind) JOHN FLOOD (Voice)
Frequently Asked Questions HOW SUCCESSFUL ARE CARMEL’S MUSIC STUDENTS?
DO I NEED TO HAVE STUDIED MUSIC AT GCSE?
Our Music students have achieved some great results and the department regularly gains an Ofsted Grade 1 in its annual review. For the last five years, the pass rates for Music and Music Technology have been 100% - every student has passed their exam at both AS Level and A2 Level in both subjects. We have a long history of students going on to Music College and University.
No, but you do need to have an understanding of music both practically and theoretically and be able to read music fluently (approaching Grade 5).
Over the past three years alone ex-Carmel students are currently studying Music at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, Birmingham Conservatoire, Trinity College of Music in London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Huddersfield Universities. Many of our present students perform in orchestras and brass bands in the area. Increasingly our students are progressing onto Music Technology related courses notably at Huddersfield and Salford Universities as well as the internationally renowned LIPA in Liverpool.
more information STEPHEN NEWLOVE Head of Music
stephen@carmel.ac.uk Music Department Office: 01744 452219
Edexcel website: www.edexcel.com
WHY DO I NEED THEORY? To enable you to understand chords, keys, treble and bass clefs, terms and different signs, i.e. to have an understanding of music.
IS ENRICHMENT THEORY FREE? Yes, and any student wishing to take Music or Music Technology will be required to study Music Theory if they haven’t reached Grade 5. Furthermore it is available to other college students who want to study it, i.e. not just Music students.
CAN I TAKE INSTRUMENTAL EXAMS? Yes and students frequently do. This is a private arrangement between you and the instrumental tutor. Remember that the standard for AS Music is that of Grade 5 by March of the exam year.
Music & Music Technology students attend the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
What other activities do Music students get involved in? There are numerous opportunities to perform at Carmel which include the weekly lunchtime concert series (every Music student will perform at least eight times in the year at these events), the Recital Evenings held in April, Creative Arts Evening in June, and, the numerous liturgical events which take place throughout the year including the Welcome, Advent/Christmas and Leavers’ Services to name a few. Furthermore Carmel’s Music Department is asked on occasion to perform at events in the area. Trips are organised periodically and students have attended the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and the Liverpool Philharmonic Concerts. Students gain valuable experience and confidence in performing and we place great importance in students ability to give to the college and the wider community.