Should Edexcel be allowed to drop Music/Music Tech.

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Have any of you got ideas about what should be kept/strengthened in the new Edexcel specs. for Music/Music Technology? What should be dropped? If so now is the time to be heard :biggrin:

Reply 41

sexysax

I admit I'm not totally familiar with their syllabus, but perhaps they need to relook at the mark scheme for performances and sort that out, for one!

Reply 42

Fletch

sexysax

I admit I'm not totally familiar with their syllabus, but perhaps they need to relook at the mark scheme for performances and sort that out, for one!

I agree that their marking is arcane to say the least. The sylabus is very hard to understand as it is spread over several documents and the marking criteria are very vague. I would always recommend that students challenge marks that they think are unfair (esp. if they are near the top of a grade boundary).

Sexysax - thanks for the rep :biggrin:

I must learn how to reciprocate as I have enjoyed lots of your posts. :redface:

Reply 43

sexysax

Some suggestions I've been given:

Many are wanting an inclusion of classical harmony, as this informs analysis, performance and composition.

Also, flexibility (from any exam board) so that candidates are able to develop their strengths and not be forced to study in depth areas in which they are weak. - That is what someone else said, not too sure I agree 100% with it.

Reply 44

Rich_b

Fletch

Have any of you got ideas about what should be kept/strengthened in the new Edexcel specs. for Music/Music Technology? What should be dropped? If so now is the time to be heard :biggrin:

Keep:

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Good choice on the Compositional Techniques Paper

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Relative freedom for Composing :smile: (Though sometimes their composition categories such as romantic minatures can be a little over specific)

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The good listening tests (at AS Level at least: cannot speak for A2 yet)

Drop:

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The stupid over specfic barrel-scraping questions on Antholgy papers (Melody in the Tippett Double Concerto :confused: )

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The percentage of weighting on just few pieces in the Antholgy

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Berlioz Harold in Italy completely :biggrin:

I do think the study of the Anthology is a good idea in principal, but is not done well currently, especially with the mark scheme point by point system, where if you miss the jist of the one question you can loose out on loads of marks despite having a lot off knowledge.

Reply 45

joppajoppa

Had the option of doing it but most of the stuff in music tech you can learn yourself i thought, thats what i did anyways. Bit of a micky mouse A Level.

Did Music AS which was pretty good if a bit rigid in the options, the emphasis should be more flexible for the second year i think [i.e. you could choose to specialise in theory/analysis, composition or performance]. I dropped it because the composition was too restrained [just Bach Chorales in the second year] and the theory and performance sections became more extensive which didnt really suit me.

Reply 46

siwi

joppajoppa

I dropped it because the composition was too restrained [just Bach Chorales in the second year] and the theory and performance sections became more extensive which didnt really suit me.

Ah - wait a minute - chorales are a compositional technique module which is different from the composition you would choose instead of a recital. In other words, this wouldn't be the only composition you would do ( although you're right in saying the composition is very restrictive) and without a recital you would only have to do one performance.

Personally, I'd like to see the option of teaching basic form, counterpoint and orchestration before we're let loose on 'free composition'. I've had to do a lot of extra studying in order to gain sufficient knowledge of these to feel confidant at composition.