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Commentary
Low Excellence
91424 video exemplar Low Excellence (ZIP | 21 MB)Commentary
For Excellence, the student needs to create two convincing arrangements for an ensemble.
This involves showing:
- skilful, imaginative, and idiomatic writing for specific instruments and/or voices
- musical character and imagination.
This student has used the original source material of Teddy Bear’s Picnic (arr. string quartet) and Nokia ringtone (arr. wind quartet). These are convincing arrangements for two contrasting ensembles. They are both imaginatively and skilfully written yet maintain the integrity of the original thematic material. The student is also able to weave a sense of quirk and character within both arrangements.
The introduction to Teddy Bears’ Picnic immediately captures the listener’s attention with a sense of space and anticipation together with an indication of the interesting harmonies to follow (bars 17-20). There is idiomatic string writing with appropriate use of a variety of techniques including pizzicato, arco, glissando and tremolo.
Textual and timbral variety is explored, for example, between bars 60-77 top strings and bottom strings alternate themes together with a variety of solo and duo passages. The score is well crafted, with attention to detail in the use of articulation and dynamic markings.
Ringtonius Sonerous follows similar conventions to create a cohesive and imaginative arrangement. All instruments are treated idiomatically and with timbral and textural variety. Call and response and harmonic shifts create continual interest and build up the music to a satisfying conclusion.
For a more secure Excellence, the student could further explore counter-melodies in Ringtonius Sonerous in order for the arrangement to be fully convincing.
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High Merit
91424 video exemplar High Merit (ZIP | 22 MB)Commentary
For Merit, the student needs to create two effective arrangements for an ensemble.
This involves:
- using instrument ranges and playing techniques for expressive effect
- applying instrumental combinations and timbres creatively
- showing skill in combining and structuring musical ideas
- controlling textural density.
This student has created arrangements from original source material of: Minuet 2 (arr. clarinet, double bass and piano) and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (arr. string quartet).
The jazz feel of Minuet 2 is immediately captured by the piano introduction. Textural density is controlled but not overly utilised. Arpeggios throughout the piano part create expressive effect. The clarinet part is within range and suits the use of syncopated writing. Playing techniques have been well thought out, particularly articulation, dynamics and phrase markings.
Holistically, Twinkle lifts these exemplars into a higher Merit range. The student effectively alters the key (to minor) and time signature of the original. The 12/8 pulse set up from the introduction is maintained by the use of a pizzicato ostinato figure which appears throughout.
The ostinato is shared between the viola and cello while the violins largely share the melody line as stylistically appropriate to string quartet writing. There is an effective use of rests to create textual interest and anticipation. Further, the incorporation of new material has been well managed.
To reach Excellence, the student could tidy up some incongruent harmonies in both arrangements and pay additional consideration to the bass part in Minuet2, which would allow this effective work to be more convincing.
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Low Merit
91424 video exemplar Low Merit (ZIP | 17 MB)Commentary
For Merit, the student needs to create two effective arrangements for an ensemble.
This involves:
- using instrument ranges and playing techniques for expressive effect
- applying instrumental combinations and timbres creatively
- showing skill in combining and structuring musical ideas
- controlling textural density.
This student has created arrangements from original source material of Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen and Summertime.
The arrangements are effective and generally all parts are playable, appropriate harmony is used, and there is good attention to bringing out the melodic lines. While there are some effective moments, there is still scope for more musical creativity and idiomatic writing.
For a more secure Merit, greater attention to writing accurate music would allow the arrangements to be skilful and fully effective. For example, key-signatures, instrumental labelling and mood and tempo indications could be clearer for expressive effect.
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High Achieved
91424 video exemplar High Achieved (ZIP | 19 MB)Commentary
For Achieved, the student needs to create two arrangements for an ensemble.
This involves creatively reworking or adapting existing musical material. For example, an arrangement for four-part choir could be developed from an existing folk melody. New material (e.g. accompaniments, counter-melodies) may be combined with the given material in an original manner.
This student has created arrangements from original source material of St. Louis Blues and Little David.
There are elements of character and good score detail especially in St. Louis Blues. The reggae feel to Little David is effective, with the bass line clearly outlining the harmony and combining well with the guitar rhythm. Both arrangements are supported by clear audio recordings which outline the creative intentions.
Generally the instrument ranges are used appropriately and there is variety in the way instrumental sounds and textures are combined. The recording of the arrangement of Little David demonstrates some effective use of instrument ranges and combinations.
To reach Merit, the student could further consider instrumental timbres and utilise the instruments more fully to feature them for clearer expressive effect.
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Low Achieved
91424 video exemplar Low Achieved (ZIP | 15 MB)Commentary
For Achieved, the student needs to create two arrangements for an ensemble.
This involves creatively reworking or adapting existing musical material. For example, an arrangement for four-part choir could be developed from an existing folk melody. New material (e.g. accompaniments, counter-melodies) may be combined with the given material in an original manner.
This student has created an arrangement from original source material of Back in Black (arr. string quartet) and Lovers in Japan (arr. oboe, harp, violin and double bass).
Back in Black is accurately notated, the instruments are within range and it is playable. Some consideration of specific string techniques have been included; tremolo, pizzicato, glissando, together with bowing indications. Further there is evidence of textual variety and attention has been paid to articulation to create points of interest for the listener.
Textual variety is considered in Lovers in Japan and there is some idiomatic instrumental writing demonstrated.
For a more secure Achieved, Back in Black would benefit from new material combined with the existing material to create a more original 'take' on this song. Lovers in Japan would benefit from more attention to instrumental playing techniques and scoring details.
High Not Achieved
91424 video exemplar High Not Achieved (ZIP | 18 MB)Commentary
For Achieved, the student needs to create two arrangements for an ensemble.
This involves creatively reworking or adapting existing musical material. For example, an arrangement for four-part choir could be developed from an existing folk melody. New material (e.g. accompaniments, counter-melodies) may be combined with the given material in an original manner.
This student has created arrangements for Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen and Autumn leaves.
There is some attempt at achieving a variety of textures and the arrangements demonstrate some evidence of skill in combining and structuring ideas.
To reach Achieved, the student could further craft both arrangements by paying careful attention to tempo, performance directions and articulation markings to ensure that the creative intent is accurately communicated. Musical continuity also needs further attention to allow the arrangements to sound complete.
This annotated exemplar is intended for teacher use only. Annotated exemplars are extracts of student evidence, with commentary, that explain key parts of a standard. These help teachers make assessment judgements at the grade boundaries.
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