Please Help!, Music A2 performances. Options

[singerpianist]

We've already been given the task of picking out pieces for our A2 solo performances (Edexcel) where we have to give a 12-15 minute performance.

I'd decided to do the pieces I'm doing for my grade 8 singing exam this term, but (as I did one of them for AS) they only come up to 8 minutes!! So I have the task of finding a piece at least 4 mins long, or two more pieces...

...and if that wasn't hard enough, I've since learnt that they have to be linked in some way!! So, basically, I was going to be asking if anyone could see any links between the following:

* Agnus Dei by Mozart
* Du Bist De Ruh by Schubert
* Green Finch and Linnet Bird by whoever wrote Sweeney Todd (the name escapes me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) )

Any help would be much appreciated...unless of course I'm not allowed to ask for advice on this? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[BerkshireMum]

I think the link can be quite tenuous. My son did an EdExcel A2 recital on clarinet last year and the theme was "Fantasy pieces", so nothing spectacular.

You don't need grade 8 pieces to get the highest marks, so consider some of the pieces you did for grade 7 as well (or if you didn't do the grade exam, something of that standard). If I were you I'd talk it over with your singing teacher and see what (s)he suggests. You probably won't do the recital until next April, so there's plenty of time for you to learn new material if necessary.

[singerpianist]

I think the link can be quite tenuous. My son did an EdExcel A2 recital on clarinet last year and the theme was "Fantasy pieces", so nothing spectacular.

You don't need grade 8 pieces to get the highest marks, so consider some of the pieces you did for grade 7 as well (or if you didn't do the grade exam, something of that standard). If I were you I'd talk it over with your singing teacher and see what (s)he suggests. You probably won't do the recital until next April, so there's plenty of time for you to learn new material if necessary.

Oh okay, that's a bit better that it can be a loose link...and yes I shall talk to my teachers about it when I next see them! Good idea about using pieces from my previous grades, although the better ones I did for AS (along with the other grade 8 one) and so don't have any of those left! Typical!!

The only reason I'm thinking about the pieces now is because we have to perform one of them each half term (starting next month) as practise...so I'll need to get them sorted fairly soon!!

Will have to keep racking my brains, but thanks for the reply BerkshireMum (hey, I'm from Berkshire too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)!!!).

Laura

[andante_in_c]

I think the link can be quite tenuous. My son did an EdExcel A2 recital on clarinet last year and the theme was "Fantasy pieces", so nothing spectacular.

You don't need grade 8 pieces to get the highest marks, so consider some of the pieces you did for grade 7 as well (or if you didn't do the grade exam, something of that standard). If I were you I'd talk it over with your singing teacher and see what (s)he suggests. You probably won't do the recital until next April, so there's plenty of time for you to learn new material if necessary.

Erm, BerkshireMum, the syllabus has changed this year. Grade 8 pieces now carry extra credit over and above Grade 7 ones, and other requirements are slightly different too.

[PianoDoodler]

I have to stay abreast of Edexcel's requirements because I prepare a lot of students for their performances and give help with harmony and listening.

The new spec makes no mention of a 'theme' for the performance. It does talk about a, "....well-balanced, varied but coherent programme."

This sounds a bit like a 'theme', so it is probably wise to have one in mind when choosing your programme. As others have said here, it can be pretty wide. The fall-back for my pianists is 'Piano miniatures'. Yours could be 'Songs through the ages' if other ideas elude you.

Just in case your teacher has not already terrified you about timing, reaching the minimum of 12 minutes is vital. You lose 2 marks for every 30 (or part of 30) seconds you fall short. The spec does not mention penalties for going over the limit. So far as I can work out, the timer starts with your first note and stops with the last one, so it is the entire performance that is timed, not the individual pieces.

What I shall do with my A2 students this year is time their individual pieces. When these total 14 minutes I shall be happy. This should take care of performances getting faster with increasing mastery of the pieces. Added to this time will be some gap time in between pieces, so the time should be comfortably over the minimum.

There will also be an 'emergency' piece ticking over in the background. A few weeks before the performance, we shall time the whole event and add in the emergency piece if necessary.

Previously, you could only use a piece\song once during the two years. I can find no mention of this stipulation in the spec, so you might be able to repeat songs. Check with your teacher first to make sure - I have to get in touch with the teacher at the college my lot attend to get confirmation of this. Even better, if your teacher confirms it, can you let the rest of us know, please?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[singerpianist]

I have to stay abreast of Edexcel's requirements because I prepare a lot of students for their performances and give help with harmony and listening.

The new spec makes no mention of a 'theme' for the performance. It does talk about a, "....well-balanced, varied but coherent programme."

This sounds a bit like a 'theme', so it is probably wise to have one in mind when choosing your programme. As others have said here, it can be pretty wide. The fall-back for my pianists is 'Piano miniatures'. Yours could be 'Songs through the ages' if other ideas elude you.

Just in case your teacher has not already terrified you about timing, reaching the minimum of 12 minutes is vital. You lose 2 marks for every 30 (or part of 30) seconds you fall short. The spec does not mention penalties for going over the limit. So far as I can work out, the timer starts with your first note and stops with the last one, so it is the entire performance that is timed, not the individual pieces.

What I shall do with my A2 students this year is time their individual pieces. When these total 14 minutes I shall be happy. This should take care of performances getting faster with increasing mastery of the pieces. Added to this time will be some gap time in between pieces, so the time should be comfortably over the minimum.

There will also be an 'emergency' piece ticking over in the background. A few weeks before the performance, we shall time the whole event and add in the emergency piece if necessary.

Previously, you could only use a piece\song once during the two years. I can find no mention of this stipulation in the spec, so you might be able to repeat songs. Check with your teacher first to make sure - I have to get in touch with the teacher at the college my lot attend to get confirmation of this. Even better, if your teacher confirms it, can you let the rest of us know, please?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thank you for your reply. Yes my teacher has told us about the scary performance length! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) I still have to pick another couple of pieces to reach that time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

My teacher has told us that we're only allowed to use a piece/song once across the two years - so I can't do the one I did for AS for A2 too! Does that answer your question?

I'll have a think about the links/theme thing - but that's great to know that it could be something like 'songs though the ages' (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Laura

[PianoDoodler]

My teacher has told us that we're only allowed to use a piece/song once across the two years - so I can't do the one I did for AS for A2 too! Does that answer your question?

Thanks Laura. That is a big help.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[BabyBanana]

hahaha I'm totally at lost as to what piece I should do.

I have to go to the music shop and hunt around for some and perfect it by this time next year [or next march/may] time haha