AS/A2 Music AS/A2 Music Technology 2013 Entry
Music •
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1987-2012
Excellent facilities including practice and performance rooms, recording studio and computer suite with Cubase25 andYears Sibelius software of inspiring Opportunities for performance, composition and individuals studio recording
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These courses give students musical skills, confidence and a lifelong appreciation of music
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Excellent pass rates year on year
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Useful if you are considering a career in any of the performing arts, sound engineering or music production
1987-2012 25 Years of inspiring individuals
Sophie’s Perspective There is a friendly atmosphere at Carmel College and there is so much support given by students and tutors, especially in Music. We all take part in weekly Lunchtime Concerts which have prepared us significantly for the AS Music Performance we have recently done. Music lessons are available once a week for an instrument of your choice, I chose piano, but there are many other possibilities. There is a range of enrichment activities to take part in such as Choir, Drum enrichment, Singing enrichment, Guitar enrichment etc. These are really fun to take part in and broaden your musicality. After Carmel I hope to study Music at the Royal Northern College or Maths and Music combined at Liverpool University.
Sophie Taylor Knowsley Park CFL Studying: Music, Music Technology, Maths, Statistics
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.
AS/A2 Music Exam Board EDEXCEL 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 you will perform one or two pieces. A combination of solo and group recordings are then sent to the exam board. 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? 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.
Where does the course lead? There are many reasons why you might want to study AS and 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? Carmel’s Music Department comprises a suite of practice rooms with upright pianos, a principal teaching room, a music technology suite featuring the latest Intel Core i5 Dell computers with Cubase 6 and Sibelius 7 software, a ‘live’ room for recording work and an industry standard recording studio with Apple Mac Logic Pro system. The Learning Resource Area has a large selection of Music and Music Technology textbooks and other resources including CDs. What support will I receive? 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. Free Music Theory classes are held every week for those students who have not reached Grade 5.
AS/A2 Music Technology
Thomas’ Perspective
Exam Board EDEXCEL Why choose Music Technology at Carmel? 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. What will the course involve? 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: •
Computer-based sequencing and music production techniques;
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Sound recording;
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Arranging and composing using music technology;
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Listening and analysis (pop music and jazz). A2 Music
How will I be assessed? 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. Where does the course lead? 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.
A2 Music Technology
2011 A*-B A*-C A*-E
75% 100% 100%
23% 62% 100%
I chose Carmel as it has a very good reputation for getting good results, and so far I’ve done quite well. I enjoy Music Tech as it is practical and creative, especially the recording and sequencing coursework. Music has given me the opportunity to perform at lunchtime concerts and at college open evenings. I have also had the opportunity to learn to play the drums for my enrichment which has been very enjoyable. I am also part of the college band, we get to use the music facilities to practice and record which is very useful and has really helped to improve our performing ability. When I leave Carmel I hope to do Electronics and Music at Leeds University.
Thomas Gill St Margaret’s Studying: Music, Music Technology, Physics, Maths
Meet the Tutors
2012
PERIPATETIC TUTORS:
A*-B A*-C A*-E
Dorothy Parr (Piano) Luke Jennings (Guitar) Anna Hughes-Williams (Brass) James Dodd (Drum Kit) Jackie Howard (Woodwind) John Flood (Voice)
71% 86% 100%
38% 88% 100%
Frequently Asked Questions How successful are Carmel’s Music students? 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. Over the years, Carmel students have progressed onto diploma and degree courses at prestigious institutions including the RNCM, RCM, RSAM, LIPA, Birmingham Conservatoire, Huddersfield, Liverpool, Salford, Leeds, Manchester Universities to name a few.
Why do I need Music 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 Music 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. 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.
What are the entry requirements for Music and Music Technology? You will need a GCSE grade B in Music. If you have not studied the GCSE, you need to have an understanding of music both practically and theoretically and be able to read music fluently (approaching Grade 5).
Performance Opportunities & Enrichment The Music Department offers numerous opportunities for students to participate in a range of musical activities. These include Carmel Choir, Woodwind Group, Brass Group, Drum Kit Enrichment, Guitar Enrichment, Studio Enrichment/Recording your own song, Singing Enrichment. Currently there are approximately 90 students who take up a Music Enrichment activity every week, from the experienced musician to the student who just wants to learn and have some fun! Students attend the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
More Information Stephen Newlove Head of Music stephen@carmel.ac.uk Music Department Office: 01744 452219 Edexcel website: www.edexcel.com
Students are also encouraged to perform in the weekly lunchtime concert series held in the fantastic Dalton Theatre. Other events include the annual AS/A2 Solo Performance Evenings in March, Creative Arts Evening in June, as well as the many liturgical services which take place throughout the year including the New Student 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 local 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.