Edexcel A2 Performance Options

[Celestianpower]

Hello.

I've just started A2 music, and am really worried about all the performance that's required. From what I can gather (all at grade 6 and above):
1. Solo recital (20 minutes)
2. Solo (recorded and teacher present)
3. Ensemble (not recorded, but teacher present)
4. Solo/Ensemble (not recorded, but teacher present)
5. Solo/Ensemble (not recorded, teacher not present).

The problem is that I sing (tenor) in a church choir, but that's it. I rarely/never do solos, especially not whole pieces. I'm now faced with learning and performing a good 22 minutes of solos in front of an audience. Eeek.

I managed to scrape my way through GCSE/AS by singing the tune to a few pieces we do at choir, but that really isn't possible this time round. I would get music tuition, but I can't afford it. They don't even give it free at school.

So, my question is, what do I sing? Where do I get the music? Has anyone else here been in my situation (ie, completely new to solos yet doing A2 music)? How do I put together a "themed recital"? How different is singing solo to singing in a choir?

Sorry if this sounds stupid, but I'm actually really worried. The theory and history are fine (I love doing the Bach chorales (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)), but performing...

Thanks in advance,
CP

[andante_in_c]

Hi CP, I teach flautists at a sixth form college that uses the Edexcel music syllabus, so I hope I can help.

Firstly, don't panic! I'm sure your school/college department will give you as much help as you need. If tuition in performance is not given as part of the A2 course (why not?) then keep asking your teachers for assistance. They cannot expect you to study for a whole module on your own without help.

Secondly, is there not an option to do composition rather than performance? The syllabus allows you to specialise in one or the other. You then only need to fulfill the performing during the course requirements, which is for one solo piece. If this is not offered by your school/college, then ask questions.

Thirdly, is there anyone at church (your organist/choirtrainer, for example) who would be prepared to help you put together a recital if that's what you end up doing? Have a look here for the Edexcel difficulty guide for some suggestions of pieces you might include.

The most important thing is to ask questions of your Head of department. Get your parents asking questions too, if you can. They really shouldn't leave you scratching around in the dark like this. And do ask for more help if you need it, either from this forum or Viva Voice, which will help with specific singing issues.

Good luck!

[Celestianpower]

Hi CP, I teach flautists at a sixth form college that uses the Edexcel music syllabus, so I hope I can help.

Firstly, don't panic! I'm sure your school/college department will give you as much help as you need. If tuition in performance is not given as part of the A2 course (why not?) then keep asking your teachers for assistance. They cannot expect you to study for a whole module on your own without help.

Secondly, is there not an option to do composition rather than performance? The syllabus allows you to specialise in one or the other. You then only need to fulfill the performing during the course requirements, which is for one solo piece. If this is not offered by your school/college, then ask questions.

Thirdly, is there anyone at church (your organist/choirtrainer, for example) who would be prepared to help you put together a recital if that's what you end up doing? Have a look here for the Edexcel difficulty guide for some suggestions of pieces you might include.

The most important thing is to ask questions of your Head of department. Get your parents asking questions too, if you can. They really shouldn't leave you scratching around in the dark like this. And do ask for more help if you need it, either from this forum or Viva Voice, which will help with specific singing issues.

Good luck!

I will ask why singing tuition doesn't come as part of the course, and they are expecting me to teach myself a whole module.

There is an option for composition, but, judging by my AS composition and how stressful and difficult that was, I'd rather not take that option. I'm fine with "classical and baroque choral music" (though that's not there), but "romantic miniatures"? "Film music"? Sadly, these aren't my forte.

Yes, that's what I thought at first, but my choir director left, and the replacement isn't very good. My organist knows nothing of singing, but she's happy to accompany me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif). I mean, she's a great flautist, but not an experienced singer/singing teacher.

OK, thanks for the link; I'll take a look. Sorry if this sounds stupid, but where do I buy/download the sheet music for these? Do I have to buy them individually, or is there a special series of books with just that in it?

Thanks for the reply,
CP

[andante_in_c]

Hi CP,

You'll need to research individual titles and see if you can find a few pieces that come in one book to cut down on costs. A site like www.musicroom.com can tell you which anthologies a particular song appears in. As your experience is mainly of sacred vocal music, then I would suggest you look at the RSCM site as they sell lots of anthems as single sheet, thus cutting down costs. If you need a theme for the recital, then sacred vocal music might be a good bet. Try to get some advice at least on what would suit your voice. It's better to spend a bit more money buying the right material than going for something because it's cheap, or is in a book with something else.

Use the difficulty list as a starting point, but refer to as many graded exam syllabuses as you can, because they may differ. The grade of a piece is assessed as the highest grade it has appeared at in a recent syllabus. So for example Edexcel lists Franck's Panis Angelicus as a Grade 6, even though it's on the AB Grade 5 list.

Which part of the country are you in? Someone may know of someone who could help you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Celestianpower]

Hi CP,

You'll need to research individual titles and see if you can find a few pieces that come in one book to cut down on costs. A site like www.musicroom.com can tell you which anthologies a particular song appears in. As your experience is mainly of sacred vocal music, then I would suggest you look at the RSCM site as they sell lots of anthems as single sheet, thus cutting down costs. If you need a theme for the recital, then sacred vocal music might be a good bet. Try to get some advice at least on what would suit your voice. It's better to spend a bit more money buying the right material than going for something because it's cheap, or is in a book with something else.

Use the difficulty list as a starting point, but refer to as many graded exam syllabuses as you can, because they may differ. The grade of a piece is assessed as the highest grade it has appeared at in a recent syllabus. So for example Edexcel lists Franck's Panis Angelicus as a Grade 6, even though it's on the AB Grade 5 list.

Which part of the country are you in? Someone may know of someone who could help you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yes, I didn't think of that: sacred vocal music would be a fine theme. I'll check out the RSCM site, and look out for the grade inconsistencies. Thanks so much (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif). (We've sung Panis Angelicus at choir, actually, so have the music for that, but it's noit a solo, is it?)

I'm from Stroud, in Gloucestershire, England. Kind regards and thanks again,
CP

[nicki_flute]

Just wanted to say I do A2 Music - so if you have any questions then feel free to ask me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[andante_in_c]

(We've sung Panis Angelicus at choir, actually, so have the music for that, but it's noit a solo, is it?)

Yes, Panis Angelicus is available as a solo, as are a lot of SATB anthems. It's certainly a solo item for a Grade exam. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[nicki_flute]

Just thought, could you try and get a bursary from the council or music service to get singing lessons? Or have some every so often, rather than weekly?

[crazy cow]

Just thought, could you try and get a bursary from the council or music service to get singing lessons? Or have some every so often, rather than weekly?

Nice idea, there's also things like the fame academy bursary...not sure on details, I think that may have an upper age limit, but if it's something that you're studying to A2 level and are interested in then it may be worth looking around for funds or sponsors or something (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
The recital sounds mega-scary...I remember well! 20 minutes seems like such a long time, but to be honest it goes pretty quickly and it's lots of fun! When are you taking A2? Do you have the summer to try and get your hands on as much music as possible (librarys, church, music departments etc.) to try out and see if you can find a few pieces you want to work on, if you really don't want to do composition.
I can also sympathise with the solo thing...I had played solo before, but only for a minute or so at a time, it was always completely terrifying and I didn't particularly like being in the spotlight...but the recital was really good fun! One of my teachers said that after a few minutes the nerves subside and you just enjoy it, and it was true...despite playing to an audience of over 100 (eek!) for 20 minutes with lots of recording equipment about and lots of people who know about music, it was actually really amazing! I wanted to do it again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Just try and let yourself in gently, maybe practice in front of friends or something and run through the programme loads so you feel confident with the pieces etc.
As for the theme part of it...mine was sonatas (boring (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)) I think sonatas and concertos are the most popular with instrumentalists. As you're a singer, maybe you could do something like sacred music over time or something - start with a baroque/renaissance, working your way through to a more modern piece - that way you would achieve variety too. Or we had a joke idea of doing 'rain' - ie. stormy weather, raindrop prelude etc. - maybe you could try something a bit more out of the ordinary and mix sacred with another style? Just another idea, you really need to discuss it with your teacher and get their advice, they should be trying to support you through this (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Sorry for the rather long and rambling reply (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
Best of luck with A2, let us know how you get on!
hoxie
xxx

[nicki_flute]

Just thought, could you try and get a bursary from the council or music service to get singing lessons? Or have some every so often, rather than weekly?

Nice idea, there's also things like the fame academy bursary...not sure on details, I think that may have an upper age limit, but if it's something that you're studying to A2 level and are interested in then it may be worth looking around for funds or sponsors or something (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
The recital sounds mega-scary...I remember well! 20 minutes seems like such a long time, but to be honest it goes pretty quickly and it's lots of fun! When are you taking A2? Do you have the summer to try and get your hands on as much music as possible (librarys, church, music departments etc.) to try out and see if you can find a few pieces you want to work on, if you really don't want to do composition.
I can also sympathise with the solo thing...I had played solo before, but only for a minute or so at a time, it was always completely terrifying and I didn't particularly like being in the spotlight...but the recital was really good fun! One of my teachers said that after a few minutes the nerves subside and you just enjoy it, and it was true...despite playing to an audience of over 100 (eek!) for 20 minutes with lots of recording equipment about and lots of people who know about music, it was actually really amazing! I wanted to do it again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Just try and let yourself in gently, maybe practice in front of friends or something and run through the programme loads so you feel confident with the pieces etc.
As for the theme part of it...mine was sonatas (boring (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)) I think sonatas and concertos are the most popular with instrumentalists. As you're a singer, maybe you could do something like sacred music over time or something - start with a baroque/renaissance, working your way through to a more modern piece - that way you would achieve variety too. Or we had a joke idea of doing 'rain' - ie. stormy weather, raindrop prelude etc. - maybe you could try something a bit more out of the ordinary and mix sacred with another style? Just another idea, you really need to discuss it with your teacher and get their advice, they should be trying to support you through this (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Sorry for the rather long and rambling reply (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
Best of luck with A2, let us know how you get on!
hoxie
xxx

I had an audience of 3 hahaha!

My theme was really loose too - "flute music through time" type thing.

[crazy cow]

[quote name='nicki_flute' date='Jun 18 2007, 07:42 PM' post='535224']
[/quote]
I had an audience of 3 hahaha!

My theme was really loose too - "flute music through time" type thing.
[/quote]

Lucky you!! We were supposed to have a smaller audience, but the drama department got their exam dates through so we couldn't have the hall on any of the prospective dates...so we ended up joining in with the main concert instead! It was a nice atmosphere though & good fun! I think our music teachers were also relieved...they said they felt really stupid last year putting really small audience numbers down (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) So they did the opposite this year...
I'd do it again though, the buzz was great (apart from trying very hard not to be sick immediately before and after... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) )

[nicki_flute]

[quote name='crazy cow' date='Jun 19 2007, 08:09 PM' post='535934']
[quote name='nicki_flute' date='Jun 18 2007, 07:42 PM' post='535224']
[/quote]
I had an audience of 3 hahaha!

My theme was really loose too - "flute music through time" type thing.
[/quote]

Lucky you!! We were supposed to have a smaller audience, but the drama department got their exam dates through so we couldn't have the hall on any of the prospective dates...so we ended up joining in with the main concert instead! It was a nice atmosphere though & good fun! I think our music teachers were also relieved...they said they felt really stupid last year putting really small audience numbers down (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) So they did the opposite this year...
I'd do it again though, the buzz was great (apart from trying very hard not to be sick immediately before and after... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) )
[/quote]
Well, I can't even imagine who we'd ask for 100 people to come!

Especially as there was just 2 people doing the recital.

[recorderzrule]

[quote name='nicki_flute' date='Jun 19 2007, 08:26 PM' post='535951']
[quote name='crazy cow' date='Jun 19 2007, 08:09 PM' post='535934']
[quote name='nicki_flute' date='Jun 18 2007, 07:42 PM' post='535224']
[/quote]
I had an audience of 3 hahaha!

My theme was really loose too - "flute music through time" type thing.
[/quote]

Lucky you!! We were supposed to have a smaller audience, but the drama department got their exam dates through so we couldn't have the hall on any of the prospective dates...so we ended up joining in with the main concert instead! It was a nice atmosphere though & good fun! I think our music teachers were also relieved...they said they felt really stupid last year putting really small audience numbers down (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) So they did the opposite this year...
I'd do it again though, the buzz was great (apart from trying very hard not to be sick immediately before and after... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) )
[/quote]
Well, I can't even imagine who we'd ask for 100 people to come!

Especially as there was just 2 people doing the recital.
[/quote]

I had 4 including my accompanist and my friend had 3 (there was only 2 of us doing the recital). They didn't go out of their way to make it a real performance for us.

[crazy cow]

Especially as there was just 2 people doing the recital.

Yeah there was only two of us too...thankfully, otherwise the concert would have dragged on all night! (It was already a full concert programme before they added on the 40 minutes for us (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) so we got the blame for making it a very long evening!)

They didn't go out of their way to make it a real performance for us.

Aww, that's a shame (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[rach0690]

I'm about to start mine too, and i'm the only one doing music so there will only be me! I don't think they'll make a big fuss of it either to be honest - they never normally do. People are lucky to get an audience of two! I also can't decide what instrument to do it on cos i sing, play piano and play clarinet so who knows!?! I think i'll probably sing cos i'm quite used to doing long stints and my singing exams always seem to go ok. Also our big music room where i would do it has really great acoustics!