Teacher's Guide Cambridge Pre-U MUSIC Available for teaching ...

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Cambridge Pre-U Teacher Guide
In all the options except Improvising, candidates are free to choose the music they perform, bearing
in mind the maximum and minimum time limits. It is important to stress that they should play music
that they can perform confidently. Although the general level for access to the highest marks is set
as equivalent to Grade 7, there is nothing to be gained if candidates attempt to play music of that
difficulty if they are not ready to do so. In many cases higher marks may be gained by choosing
music that is less difficult, but performing it well.
Component 42
Advanced Recital
Candidates who choose this option need to bear in mind the fact that they are required to present a
programme that does not duplicate any of the performing categories that are offered in Component 2.
This means, for example, that a solo recital for Component 42 must be performed on a different
instrument from a solo recital for Component 2; or that a candidate who gave a solo recital in
Component 2 and who wishes to use the same instrument in Component 42 must either accompany
or perform in an ensemble. In some cases the permutations could be fairly complicated, so it is
especially important to take care when selecting which options to offer for which component.
In Component 42 the recital is marked out of 70, whereas in Component 2 it is marked out of
60. Consequently, candidates who take both components should always offer their strongest
performance for Component 42. This is particularly significant in view of both the longer performing
time they must sustain, and the Grade 8 level set for access to the highest marks in Component 42.
It is expected that the recital for Component 42 will be given before an audience, in concert
conditions. Candidates should take responsibility for all aspects of their recital, within whatever
constraints may apply in individual Centres. This might involve advertising and promoting the recital,
or preparing a programme for the audience, or whatever other aspects of concert organisation may
be appropriate in given circumstances.
The recital must be recorded on both CD and DVD. The DVD recording is especially important both
as a record of the event and because it provides essential evidence to assist in the assessment and
moderation of the candidate’s performance (various aspects of posture and technique, for example, are
most effectively assessed by eye and by ear together). However, the quality of the audio track on a DVD
recording is often less good than it might be; for this reason a CD recording is also required to provide
evidence for other aspects of the performance (including such considerations as tone quality, diction,
dynamics, etc.). Ideally the two recordings should be made using different equipment, in which case
one will act as a back-up to the other in the event of any technical problems at the time of the recital.
Written Project
In addition to the recital, candidates must present a written project in which they consider two
recordings of one of the pieces in their recital. This is designed not only to allow them to compare the
recordings, but also to think carefully about the ways in which the recorded performances influence
their own interpretative decisions. The assessment takes into account both of these aspects of the
project, and equal credit is given to each.
www.cie.org.uk/cambridgepreu