How to write a programme note.

The purpose of a programme note is to guide your assessor through the geography and progress of your composition, stopping to highlight any areas of interest along the way. Programme note: (Title of piece) Name: (You should know this by now) Level: (Higher or Ad anced higher) Instruments: Stimulus: !n this section, you must write about what inspired your piece of music. (This could be music that you listen to in general or "ust something that has caught your attention that you find interesting. !t might ha e something to do with other hobbies or musical interests you ha e out with school.)You may wish to comment on the title of your piece, why you ha e chosen this title and how it is reflected in the mood of your composition. #uring this introductory passage you should also e$plain: the form of your composition% which instrumental timbres you ha e used% how many beats are in the bar% what key it is in.

Resources/ use of technology: !n this section you must write about all of the things you used during the composition of your piece of music e.g. "otter, keyboard, &ibelius ', (uitar )ro etc. *asically what things you used to help you come up with your composition.

Significant Decisions: This is one of the most important sections of the programme note. This is where you put a paragraph about all the changes that you ha e made along the way.

Process: Another important section of your programme note as this is where you gi e an account of the whole process from beginning to final product. A good idea is to keep a diary of what you do on a regular basis so you don+t forget what you ha e done.

nalysis: This is the final section of your programme note where you tell the &,A what concepts you ha e used in your piece of music. You should make reference to: -hich instrument(s) is playing the melody. #oes the melody mo e mainly by step or leap. !s it mainly legato or staccato. -hich scale is it based on. -hich instruments are playing the accompaniment. -hat te$ture is the piece in (homophonic, polyphonic) Are there any prominent features: se.uence, imitation, repetition, pedal, amp, Alberti bass, countermelody, etc. !n conclusion, you should tie up the composition by stating why you en"oyed the e$perience and how the piece de eloped from the early planning to the finished article.

N.! /emember you must ha e a minimum of 0 pieces for each le el% 1 minute per piece of music for Higher and 1 minute 30 seconds per piece for Advanced Higher .

composition su"mission shoul# inclu#e: An audio recording (1#, )en dri e or 2)3) A score or performance plan A programme note A co er page (stating the title of the composition% your name% your candidate number% centre name: 2455AT A1A#62Y and 1entre number: 78'9:39)