A2 Music Technology Coursework 2016 – 17

You are required to produce a sequenced integrated realisation using one of the recordings listed below as your stimulus. You must include all vocals, instrumental parts and production features.

This is predominantly an aural task, and no score has been included. You may work from a score if you wish, but be aware that scores of rock and pop songs are often incomplete or inaccurate. (Read The Full Task 3A Instructions)

Stimuli:

• Singularity (New Order) from the CD Music Complete, Mute – CDSTUMM390
• How Deep Is Your Love (Calvin Harris + Disciples) from the CD Now 92, Sony Music 888751537026

Task 3A: Resources and Guides

Please note: These resources are for guidance only and will in no way violate the Edexcel rules regarding controlled conditions.

Make a recording of a piece of music of your own choice in a style relating to Area of Study 3: The Development of Technology-based Music.

You must record a piece of music that has been made available for general release, or an accepted rock, pop or jazz standard. It must not be an original student composition. (Read The Full Task 3B Instructions)

Choose ONE of the following briefs, and compose an original piece as instructed. The composition must contain at least SIX separate vocal/instrumental/sample based parts. (Read The Full Task 3C Instructions)

Task 3C: Resources and Guides

Here you will find a range of resources to help you complete this piece of coursework.

Please note: These resources are for guidance only and will in no way violate the Edexcel rules regarding controlled conditions.

COMPOSITION BRIEF 1 – YESTERDAY’S WORLD OF TOMORROW by Micky Dodds

You have been commissioned to compose the music for this video. Your composition should reflect the action, emotions and pace of the film, and be timed to accurately sync with the scenes and images. You must use the movie file located on the Pearson website and not any other version:

http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/ music-technology-2008.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=Pearson- UK:Category%2FExam-materials

To locate the movie file, copy and paste or type this link into the address bar on your internet browser.

You must not sample audio from any version of the movie.

Your composition must be THREE MINUTES long.

COMPOSITION BRIEF 2 – The Reality of War

Create a composition using this quote from the Dalai Lama. The meaning of the text must be reflected in the music. Your composition may take the form of a song (which must include recorded vocals), or a piece of contemporary music using audio samples created from recorded extracts of the text. You may adapt or reorder the words.

Your composition must be THREE MINUTES long.

Download Lyrics

COMPOSITION BRIEF 3 – Industry

The closure of the steel plants in the North East in 2015 is the latest in a long line of industrial decline in the UK. In the last 40 years, the UK has seen the closure of many manufacturing and production plants. Industries that were once world-leading have virtually disappeared. Towns, cities and communities grew from the Victorian era through the 20th century to meet the demands of industry. Explore the impact in those regions, now the industry is gone.

Create an original composition that makes use of a minimum of SIX samples of words, phrases or sounds that represent industrial towns in the UK.

Your composition must be THREE MINUTES long.

You may use one or more of the following themes:

• The stories of the people affected by the closure of industry, from interviews and discussions on TV/radio
• Political and social implications: industrial action and the unions; reasons behind the closures; beginnings of industry and growth of the industrial economy
• The sounds of industry at work: production lines, machine plants, factories.

Below you will find a range of resources to help you complete the logbook. The logbook, declaration and all three pieces of coursework must arrive with the examiner no later than 15th May. (Download The Logbook)