music

Welcome to the Music Department at Carmel CollegeIn November 2005 HRH The Duke of Gloucester opened Carmel’s Centre for Music andMedia and today we offer some of the best facilities in the region for Music and MusicTechnology. Students currently number approximately 45 and we offer excitingopportunities for performance, composition and studio recording. Studying Music and/orMusic Technology will give students musical skills, confidence and a life-long appreciationof music.

AS/A2 MusicAS/A2 Music Technology

AASS//AA22 MusicEXAM BOARD: EDEXCEL

STEPHEN NEWLOVEHead of Department, Singer, Composer, Pianist andProfessional Tenor Soloist.

TOM MOSSMusic Tutor, Freelance Composer,Arranger and Performer.

Tom has had work commissionedand performed for radio by theBBC.

SUSANNAH DEAN

St Julie’s

Studying:Music, Music Technology,English Language, PerformanceStudies

Since I started at Carmel inSeptember I have learnt so much inMusic and Music Technology; they areboth new and interesting subjects.Whilst a lot is expected of studentshere, the lessons are really enjoyableand the teachers treat you like adults.I have particularly enjoyed my pianolessons because they have been verybeneficial to my coursework. I alsoenjoy performing with the choir. WhenI leave I hope to move to London tostudy Musical Theatre at university.

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WHY CHOOSE MUSIC ATCARMEL?

At Carmel we aim to provide anenvironment where musicians can blossomand develop their particular strengths andtalents. We encourage students toappreciate a variety of styles of music at adeeper level. We believe it is important toprovide the basis of a life-long love formusic through a course which is varied,challenging and, above all, enjoyable.

WHAT WILL THE COURSEINVOLVE?

You will improve your skills in performingand composing in a range of styles and willlisten to a wide variety of music and developa more informed appreciation of how andwhy music was written and performed.There are three units: Performing,Composition and Developing MusicalUnderstanding. You can sing or perform onany musical instrument and you will havethe opportunity to take part in ensemble andsolo performances. You will learn the craft ofnotated composition. Orchestration andharmony skills as well as imaginative detailare developed.

You will be expected to develop andimprove listening and analytical skillsthrough the study of set works. Lessons willcover the set works, composition andlistening. Performance is carried out in theLunchtime Concerts in the Dalton Theatreand in the one-to-one lessons with theinstrumental tutor.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

Recorded performances are made at theSolo Performance Evening in which thestudents perform one or two pieces: a combination of solo and group recordingsare sent to the exam board. Students’compositions are submitted in early May.Listening, Set Work Analysis andUnderstanding of Harmony are assessed inMay. This is the only formal writtenexamination.

WHERE DOES THE COURSELEAD?There are many reasons why you might

want to study AS-A2 Music at Carmel

College. Some students prepare to go to

Music College or University to study Music;

others see music as an academic

qualification recognised by most universities

as part of the entry requirements for almost

any degree course.

What is the Music Department like?In May 2005 the Music Department moved into its new accommodation – Carmel’s Centrefor Music & Media, which was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. Thisstate-of-the art building comprises a suite of practice rooms with new pianos, a principalteaching room, a music technology suite featuring 16 new Dell computers with CubaseSX3 and Sibelius 3 software, a performing room for recording work and a RecordingStudio with mixing and editing facilities. There is a wide range of rackmounted dynamicand effects processing equipment, together with CD burning facilities. The LearningResource Area has a large selection of music and music technology textbooks and otherresources including CDs.

MIKE FOSTER

Haydock Sports College

Studying:Music, Music Technology,Computing

At Carmel the Music department is asmall community of its own whereeveryone works as a team. I havelearnt so much in the time I have beenhere. The Music department organiseda trip to Liverpool Hope University tolearn about the styles of the stringquartets by Haydn, Mozart &Beethoven. I found this very useful as Ihad written part of my MusicTechnology composition for a stringquartet. When I leave I hope to go toLIPA to study Music.

AS/A2 Music AASS//AA22 Music TechnologyEXAM BOARD: EDEXCEL

PERIPATETIC TUTORS:

DOROTHY PARR (Piano)

LUKE JENNINGS (Guitar)

ANNA HUGHES-WILLIAMS(Brass)

JAMES DODD (Drum Kit)

JACKIE HOWARD (Woodwind)

JOHN FLOOD (Voice)

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What support will I receive?Music (including Music Technology) inevitably requires you to play a musical instrumentand an ability to read music fluently. ‘Reading music’ means approaching the standard ofGrade 5 in Music Theory (Associate Board).

If you have not reached Grade 5 then you must enrol on our Enrichment Theory classes(held once a week) or prove to us that you are actively studying theory with a privateteacher. The standard of performance on your instrument or instruments should also beapproaching that of Grade 5, which is the standard level set for AS Music (please notethat it is only AS & A2 Music which requires you to be examined on your instrument/voice).

AS/A2 Music students receive half an hour tuition on their instrument per week free. Othersupport includes one-to-one tutorials throughout the week and revision classes.

WHY CHOOSE MUSICTECHNOLOGY AT CARMEL?

As one of the biggest music departments inthe area, we have excellent facilities here atCarmel for studying Music Technology.Students have access to our recordingstudio, housing a wide range of industrystandard recording equipment. All studentsget unlimited access to the facilities outsideof lesson times. If you enjoy creating musicusing technology and exploring thedevelopment of music technology of therecent past through popular music, then thisis the course for you.

WHAT WILL THE COURSEINVOLVE?

This is a course for musicians wishing todevelop practical skills and theoreticalknowledge in music technology. Thetraditional music skills of listening andanalysing, arranging and composition areplaced in a contemporary technologicaland musical context. Lessons coverlistening and technological issues as well ascomputer/practical work. Broadly speakingyou will study:

• Computer-based sequencing and music production techniques;

• Sound recording;

• Arranging and composing using music technology;

• Listening and analysis (pop music and jazz).

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

70% of the subject is coursework basedinvolving two sequenced pieces (chosen byEdexcel) and a multi-track recordingcontaining at least eight live tracks (piecechosen by students). Listening skills (30%)are an essential part of any music coursenot least Music Technology where studentslisten to a variety of popular music andanswer questions on its development andthe music technology that influenced it.Listening and Analysing is assessed in lateMay and is the only formal writtenexamination.

WHERE DOES THE COURSELEAD?

A Level Music Technology is a rigorouslyacademic and practical qualification, widelyaccepted by universities for entry to a rangeof courses. It is especially useful for anystudent considering a career orundergraduate studies in any of theperforming arts, sound engineering ormusic production.

What other activities do Musicstudents get involved in?There are numerous opportunities to perform at Carmel which include the weeklylunchtime concert series (every Music student will perform at least eight times in theyear at these events), the Recital Evenings held in April, Creative Arts Evening in June,and, the numerous liturgical events which take place throughout the year including theWelcome, Advent/Christmas and Leavers’ Services to name a few. FurthermoreCarmel’s Music Department is asked on occasion to perform at events in the area.

Trips are organised periodically and students have attended the HuddersfieldContemporary Music Festival and the Liverpool Philharmonic Concerts. Students gainvaluable experience and confidence in performing and we place great importance instudents ability to give to the college and the wider community.

Frequently Asked QuestionsHOW SUCCESSFUL ARECARMEL’S MUSIC STUDENTS?

Our Music students have achieved somegreat results and the department regularlygains an Ofsted Grade 1 in its annualreview. For the last five years, the pass ratesfor Music and Music Technology have been100% - every student has passed theirexam at both AS Level and A2 Level in bothsubjects. We have a long history of studentsgoing on to Music College and University.

Over the past three years alone ex-Carmelstudents are currently studying Music at theRoyal Northern College of Music inManchester, Birmingham Conservatoire,Trinity College of Music in London,Edinburgh, Manchester and HuddersfieldUniversities.

Many of our present students perform inorchestras and brass bands in the area.Increasingly our students are progressingonto Music Technology related coursesnotably at Huddersfield and SalfordUniversities as well as the internationallyrenowned LIPA in Liverpool.

DO I NEED TO HAVE STUDIEDMUSIC AT GCSE?

No, but you do need to have anunderstanding of music both practicallyand theoretically and be able to read musicfluently (approaching Grade 5).

WHY DO I NEED THEORY?

To enable you to understand chords, keys,treble and bass clefs, terms and differentsigns, i.e. to have an understanding ofmusic.

IS ENRICHMENT THEORY FREE?

Yes, and any student wishing to take Musicor Music Technology will be required tostudy Music Theory if they haven’t reachedGrade 5. Furthermore it is available to othercollege students who want to study it, i.e.not just Music students.

CAN I TAKE INSTRUMENTALEXAMS?

Yes and students frequently do. This is aprivate arrangement between you and theinstrumental tutor. Remember that thestandard for AS Music is that of Grade 5 byMarch of the exam year.

Music & Music Technology students attendthe Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festivalmore

informationmoreinformation

STEPHEN NEWLOVEHead of Music

stephen@carmel.ac.ukMusic DepartmentOffice: 01744 452219

Edexcel website:www.edexcel.com