HOW TO APPROACH THE QUESTIONS

The points which you are asked to address are set out below, with suggestions on
how they might be approached.
What Areas of Study did you choose and what is the focus of your composition within
the given strand?
Here, you need to make a simple statement as to which two Areas of Study were
chosen and makes clear the focus within the given strand (Western Classical
Tradition) This focus might be;

a form

a scale

an instrument or group of instruments

a characteristic rhythm or one of many other possibilities.

Why did you choose these Areas of Study and the particular focus within the given
strand?
Reasons might include

a preference for using these elements

the fact that they afford appropriate possibilities in terms of the desired
composition

a belief that your composing strengths lie in the use of these two Areas of
Study in particular.

How did you go about composing your music and how was the final recording
achieved?
This is best approached chronologically and you should

keep a record of your progress with your composition to help your prepare for
this question.

when it comes to recording the finished composition a careful log of the

process should be kept, mentioning as appropriate ;

positioning of microphones
adjustments to dynamics and/or placement of performers
how any matters of poor intonation were resolved, and so on.

What difficulties did you encounter during the task and how did you overcome your?

This might include;

reference to access to the chosen medium

computer software problems
a realisation that the original choice of Areas of Study might not be the best
it might be a problem more directly related to a compositional matter,
including;

use of imitation,

modulation,

sequence,

instrumental techniques and/or range.

Whatever the difficulty mentioned, explain the steps taken to overcome it.
What makes your composition successful in relation to the Areas of Study and the
focus chosen within the given strand?
Success in relation to the chosen Areas of Study will arise if the finished piece really
showcases the elements within the chosen Areas of Study.
You will need to explain;

how your composition successfully exploits the chosen link,be it a rhythm,

a form,

an instrument

group of instruments, and so on.

What is the relationship of your composition to its context?

Any piece of music written will fall into a particular context and reflect the style of
a particular genre. It is in this section that you will set out how your piece relates to
this context. It might be that

the composition is a pop song,

a string quintet,

percussion piece,

a piece in a minimalist style,

a showcase for a single instrument,

a pastiche in the style of a specific composer, style or period.

You should explain the extent to which your composition reflects the genre or style
and, where appropriate, a historical period.