The performance portion of the Leaving Certificate Music exam offers a wide range of choices for the student. Following is an excerpt from the current syllabus, which provides a brief description of the options available. Leaving Cert. Music students can be prepared for any of these options at the New School.
2.1.1 Performing
All students offering at Ordinary level must present performing as outlined in (a) and (b) below:
(a) Singing and/or playing individually; or
Singing or playing as a member of a musical group; or
Rehearsing and conducting a musical group;
and
(b) Singing or playing a sight reading test; or
Singing or playing an aural memory test; or
Singing or playing an unprepared improvisation.
2.1.2 Performing requirements
(a) Ordinary level students must perform
(i) two prepared songs or pieces
and
(ii) one unprepared test (i.e. either a sight reading test or an aural memory test or an improvisation).
(b) Higher level students must perform
(i) three songs or pieces
and
(ii) one unprepared test (i.e. either a sight reading test or an aural memory test or an improvisation).
(c) Higher level students may, as an alternative, present
(i) two Ordinary level performing activities
and
(ii) the appropriate Higher level sight reading test or aural memory test or improvisation.
(d) All students should show appropriate musical and technical fluency.
(e) In individual performing, other than performing on traditional Irish instruments, accompaniments should be included as appropriate.
(f) In performing traditional Irish music, some use of ornamentation will be required at Ordinary level, where this is appropriate; at Higher level,proficiency in the use of appropriate ornamentation will be required.
(g) In group performing, students must show an ability to hold their own musical line and contribute musically to its interpretation.
(h) In certain circumstances, students may, with prior permission from the Department of Education, present performing for assessment using an audio or audiovisual medium.
(i) No specific programmes are given. The criteria for choosing music for performing at Ordinary level and Higher level are set out in appendix E.
2.1.3 Higher level elective in performing
Students taking this elective are required to perform a programme of approximately 12 minutes' duration that reflects a further expansion of the Higher level essential performing activity.
Appendix A
Singing or playing individually
(a) Ordinary level and Higher level students may present performing under this heading.
(b) Students should note the performing requirements outlined in 2.1.2.
(c) The criteria for choosing music are given in appendix E.
(d) Presentations under this heading may include individual singing and/or playing of traditional and popular musical genres as well as classical art works.
(e) Five different options are possible under this heading.
Option 1: singing individually
Option 2: performing individually
Option 3: demonstratinq an ability to understand and to use microtechnoloqy music-makinq systems.
Students will be expected to demonstrate an ability to
* input via electronic instruments (and/or conventional instruments with electronic controllers providing
a MIDI interface) a musical score of at least two real parts
* save, retrieve and edit that score (e.g. change rhythms, pitch, dynamics, timbres, etc.)
* produce a taped and/or printed final version
In addition, Higher level students must demonstrate an ability to compile and perform to their own
prepared tape or to play at least two pieces from the standard repertory for electronic instruments.
Click here for a full copy (in pdf format) of the current Leaving Cert. Music syllabus.
Located in Dublin city centre, Waltons New School of Music is a comprehensive music centre, combining music tuition of the highest standard with innovative approaches to music education. The New School offers tuition in the broadest range of instruments and subjects of any music school in Ireland, for students of all ages, levels and abilities.
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