C A R I B B E A N E X A M I N A T I O N S C O U N C I L SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
- 2 - SECTION A. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR MARKING PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS PERFORMING (24 MARKS) (a) Solo Performance (Piece scale and arpeggio, Technical Study, Viva Voce) 15 + 5 + 4 = 24 marks 1. Examiners should not comment during candidates performance. 2. Each candidate should be allowed a maximum of 3 minutes to prepare to perform. An entire piece of music should be performed and only in exceptional circumstances, as where a candidate suffers some unexpected physical disorder that may affect the performance, should it be cut short. 3. If the candidate falters or makes a slip in performing but is able to continue without interruption of the performance, it should be accepted without penalty. 4. Candidates should be marked on the basis of musical expressiveness, competence and accuracy, tone quality and style. Examiners should attempt to categorize each performance as outstanding, good, competent, moderate, and so on, before confirming the specific mark to be awarded. Piece (15 marks) - Technical study (5 marks) - Viva Voce (4 marks) LEVEL OF ABILITY MARKS ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Outstanding 12-15 In performing a solo item the candidate: - displays a high level of accuracy in rhythm and pitch. - displays a high level of musicality in interpreting: tempo, dynamics and phrasing. - demonstrates a highly effective technique and tone quality. - demonstrates a high level of understanding of the style of the piece. Good 9-11 In performing a solo item the candidate: - displays a good level of accuracy in rhythm and pitch. - displays a good level of musicality in interpreting: tempo, dynamics and phrasing. - demonstrates a good level of technique and tone quality. - demonstrates a good level of understanding of the style of the piece.
- 3 - LEVEL OF ABILITY MARKS ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Fairly Good 7-8 In performing a solo item the candidate: - displays a reasonable level of accuracy in rhythm and pitch. - displays a reasonable level of musicality in interpreting: tempo, dynamics and phrasing. - demonstrates a reasonable level of technique and tone quality. - demonstrates a reasonable level of understanding of the style of the piece. Moderate 5-6 In performing a solo item the candidate: - displays an adequate level of accuracy in rhythm and pitch. - displays an adequate level of musicality in interpreting: tempo, dynamics and phrasing. - demonstrates an adequate level of technique and tone quality. - demonstrates an adequate level of understanding of the style of the piece. Limited 2-4 In performing a solo item the candidate: - displays several inaccuracies in rhythm and pitch. - displays a limited level of musicality in interpreting: tempo, dynamics and phrasing. - demonstrates a limited level of technique and poor tone quality. - demonstrates a limited level of understanding of the style of the piece. Very Limited Less than 2 In performing a solo item the candidate: - displays many inaccuracies in rhythm and pitch. - displays poor level of musicality in interpreting: tempo, dynamics and phrasing. - demonstrates a very limited level of technique and very poor tone quality. - demonstrates no understanding of the style of the piece.
- 4 - Scale and Arpeggios/Technical Study (5 marks) Marks Level of Ability Assessment Criteria 5 Outstanding Very fluent and accurate 4 Good Accurate but could be more fluent 3 Competent Mostly accurate, lacks fluency 2 Moderate Some inaccuracies; lacks fluency 1 Limited Too many inaccuracies 0 Very limited Non-delivery Viva Voce (Performing) (4 marks) Marks Rating Assessment Criteria 4 Outstanding Very clear, accurate and convincing commentary on any item in the file 3 Good Very clear and accurate commentary on any item in the file 2 Competent Clear commentary on any item in the file 1 Limited Weak commentary on any item in the file 0 Very limited Inadequate commentary on any item in the file
- 5 - Important Details for Practical Examiners Levels of Competence The syllabus allows candidates to enter at different levels in their practical (instrumental/vocal) work, depending on their technical proficiency. The levels are Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced, for which benchmarks are given below, in relation to the standards of the Royal Schools of Music (RSM). Exemplar material has been included in Appendix IV of the CSEC Music Syllabus (CXC 31/G/SYLL 00), to further guide the selection of repertoire for examination. NB Levels of competence applies to the PERF profile only, and in no way affects the LIAP or COMP profiles. ELEMENTARY INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED Candidate performs pieces equivalent to RSM grade 2 minimum Candidate performs pieces equivalent to RSM grades 3-4 Candidate performs pieces equivalent to RSM grade 5 or above The correct level of competence must be entered on the PERF mark sheet. The examiner has the final responsibility to determine the candidate s level, in spite of what may have been entered on the candidate s file by the teacher. The level is determined by the repertoire presented for examination, and not necessarily by teacher or candidate preference or choice. If a candidate identified as advanced or intermediate presents an elementary repertoire, then the candidate is elementary; if a candidate identified as elementary or intermediate presents an advanced repertoire, then the candidate is advanced, and so on. An elementary candidate has the potential to earn full marks for a perfect performance of an elementary repertoire. Scoring Different Levels Each level must be marked by its own merits. A candidate must not be marked DOWN or UP because of level. An intermediate candidate has the potential to earn full marks for a perfect performance of an intermediate repertoire. A weighting factor will be electronically applied during the final grading process, to distinguish between levels. An advanced candidate has the potential to earn full marks for a perfect performance of an advanced repertoire. Elementary Factor = 0.6 Intermediate Factor = 0.8 Advanced Factor = 1.0 NB In the absence of sufficient evidence of a candidate s level of competence, the candidate will default to the elementary factor. Prepared by Clyve A. Bowen 2006 May - Revised 2009
- 6 - SECTION B. COMPOSING/ARRANGING (44 MARKS) (a) Composing Original (20 marks) 1. Candidates will be marked on their ability to use musical and/or extra-musical stimuli (e.g., graphic representation, rhythmic motives, harmonic progressions), to generate ideas for their own compositions. 2. Candidates are required to compose pieces that reflect sensitivity to balance, structure, unity and style, in relation to selected stimuli. 3. Candidates should be able to record/notate their own compositions, using conventional/nonconventional symbols as well as digital and/or electronic means. LEVEL OF MARKS ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ABILITY Outstanding 16-20 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - highly imaginative use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - excellent sense of structure and unity - excellent exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - highly creative manipulation of at least TWO musical elements as - highly effective use of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - excellent interpretation of the elements of specific genre and style - excellent use of scoring, recording and reflection Good 13-15 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - imaginative use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - strong sense of structure and unity - good exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - creative manipulation of at least TWO musical elements as - effective use of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - good interpretation of the elements of specific genre and style - good use of scoring, recording and reflection
- 7 - LEVEL OF ABILITY MARKS ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Fairly Good 11-12 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - fairly imaginative use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - reasonable sense of structure and unity - fairly good exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - fairly creative manipulation of at least TWO musical elements as - fairly effective use of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - workable interpretation of the elements of specific genre and style - fairly good use of scoring, recording and reflection Moderate 8-10 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - adequate use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - adequate sense of structure and unity - adequate exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - some attempt to manipulate at least TWO musical elements as - some use of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - some evidence of interpretation of the elements of specific genre and style - adequate use of scoring, recording and reflection Limited 4-7 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - mechanical use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - inadequate sense of structure and unity - limited exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - negligible focus on musical elements as - limited use of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - limited evidence of interpretation of the elements of specific genre and style - weak use of scoring, recording and reflection Very Limited 0-3 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - unimaginative use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - no clear sense of structure and unity - very limited exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - no specific focus on any musical elements as - absence of the use of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - no evidence of interpretation of the elements of specific genre and style - poor use of scoring, recording and reflection
- 8 - Composition Arrangement (20 marks) LEVEL OF ABILITY MARKS ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Outstanding 16-20 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - highly imaginative use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - excellent sense of structure and unity - effective exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - highly creative manipulation of at least TWO musical elements as - excellent interpretation of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - excellent interpretation and creative manipulation of the elements of specific genres/styles - excellent use of scoring, recording and reflection Good 13-15 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - imaginative use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - strong sense of structure and unity - good exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - creative manipulation of at least TWO musical elements as - effective interpretation of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - good interpretation and creative manipulation of the elements of specific genres/styles - good use of scoring, recording and reflection Fairly Good 11-12 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - fairly imaginative use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - reasonable sense of structure and unity - fairly good exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - fairly creative manipulation of at least TWO musical elements as - fairly good interpretation of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - workable interpretation and creative manipulation of the elements of specific genres/styles - fairly good use of scoring, recording and reflection
- 9 - LEVEL OF ABILITY MARKS ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Moderate 8-10 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - adequate use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - adequate sense of structure and unity - adequate exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - some attempt to manipulate at least TWO musical elements as - some use of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - some evidence of interpretation and creative manipulation of the elements of specific genres/styles - adequate use of scoring, recording and reflection Limited 4-7 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - mechanical use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - inadequate sense of structure or unity - limited exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - negligible focus on musical elements as - limited interpretation of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - limited evidence of interpretation or creative manipulation of the elements of specific genres/styles - weak use of scoring, recording and reflection Very Limited 0-3 Candidate s composition demonstrates: - unimaginative use of musical/extra musical stimuli in developing original - no clear sense of structure or unity - very limited exploitation of vocal and instrumental forces to effectively - no specific focus on any musical elements as - absence of the use of expressive elements (tempo, dynamics and - no evidence of interpretation or creative manipulation of the elements of specific genres/styles - poor use of scoring, recording and reflection
- 10 - Viva Voce (Composing) (4 marks) Marks Rating Assessment Criteria 4 Outstanding Very clear, accurate and convincing commentary on any item in the file 3 Good Very clear and accurate commentary on any item in the file 2 Competent Clear commentary on any item in the file 1 Limited Weak commentary on any item in the file 0 Very limited Inadequate commentary on any item in the file