A set of five warm-up cards. To be used before singing and suitable for classroom use as well as during choir rehearsals. 1. Warming up the body and standing well 2. Breathing well and with self-awareness 3. Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises 4. Pitch and range exercises 5. To develop confidence and camaraderie. There is also booklet with instructions, piano parts and a reading list.

This document brings together what we know about the Section B essay question. It consists of four pages. It contains specification extracts, the two sample questions provided by Edexcel, and the answers. An explanation of the assessment objectives is made clear, and there are suggestions about how to prepare students for this part of the examination. Also included is the mark scheme. I will put together a set of essay questions with suggested answers in due course. Please follow me to receive notification of when this resource is available.

A resource for learning about an Area of Study 5 Programme Music piece: ‘A Faust Symphony’ by Liszt.

An Overview and Summary of the Section A questions. This document consists of two pages.

Fully updated for examination in 2022 onwards. Now with separate ‘student’ and ‘answer’ booklets (two, separate files). Included: Anoushka Shankar: Four-page booklet for students with one-page answer sheet for teachers. Shankar listening: Three Listening Questions with answer-sheets for teachers. Exam-style listening questions ‘Section A’. Design is based on the actual A Level exam paper. Each question is worth 14 marks. Pack includes warm-up fill-in-the-gaps activity concerning general information on Shankar and three 14-mark questions on: ‘Burn’, 'Breathing under water’ and ‘Easy’. Suggested answers included for everything. This is an additional 8-page resource which includes 9 pages for the student and 4 answer pages.

Fully updated for examination in 2022 onwards. Now with separate ‘student’ and ‘answer’ booklets (two, separate files). Set of resources on Saariaho. Includes recommended YouTube links, questions and answers. The resource consists of seven pages of activities for students and extensive answer-booklet. In addition, space is provided in the booklet for students to complete their answers.

Stravinsky complete Fully updated for examination in 2022 onwards. Now with separate ‘student’ and ‘answer’ booklets (two, separate files). Includes the following: Stravinsky 1: A one-page comprehension-style worksheet helping students understand the basics about the Stravinsky set work. An answer sheet is provided. Stravinsky 2: A one-page comprehension-style worksheet, building on Stravinsky worksheet 1, helping students understand more of the basics about the Stravinsky set work. An answer sheet is provided. Stravinsky 3: A four-page document incorporating two worksheets which build on the learning of Stravinsky 1 and 2. The teaching method of over-learning is employed to emphasise key points already learned. Two answer sheets are provided. Stravinsky 4: This four-page (three student worksheets and an answer page) resource introduces Schoenberg’s ‘Peripetie’ as an example of wider listening. Students will need access to the Edexcel 2009-16 course materials published by Pearson (student guide and anthology) to answer context questions, fill in a chart which compares certain elements of music in Stravinsky and Schoenberg, write paragraphs and, finally, write an essay similar to one found in the A level specimen paper. Stravinsky 5: A three-page resource (two student pages and an answer sheet) to teach wider listening and practise question 5. Students study The Firebird by Stravinksy as a piece of wider listening and then draw links between The Rite of Spring and The Firebird in their answer to question 5. Extension material is provided by way of suggested reading. If you require any additional materials to help you deliver this resource, please ask: Olivia@sparkhall.org.uk

Fully updated for examination in 2022 onwards. Now with separate ‘student’ booklet and ‘answer’ sheet (two, separate files). A set of lessons on the Set Work ‘Psycho’ by Bernard Herrmann. Answers are provided. You will need the following books: A Level Anthology; A Level Music Study Guide. Extensive other music (previously called ‘wider listening’) is included.

Music for Advent and Christmas Carol Services and Concerts Prayer on Christmas Eve (Gebet in der Christnacht) for SSA and piano* - Hensel arr. Sparkhall (choral music) Perfect for Advent or Christmas If you would like to photocopy the download, please choose the ‘Add School Licence’ option. Thank you. *Available exclusively from Multitude of Voyces: Gebet in der Christnacht for SATB (a cappella) About the composer For years, Fanny Hensel has been known as the sister of Felix Mendelssohn. Since the discovery of many of her compositions, some previously published in Felix’s name, she has become more widely recognised in her own right. About the piece Gebet in der Christnacht is a solo song from 1823. Here it is arranged for SSA, showcasing the teenaged composer’s use of harmony that became synonymous with the early Romantics. (See also my a cappella SATB arrangement). Gebet in der Christnacht (Prayer on Christmas Eve) is one of at least eight songs Hensel composed in 1823 which sets poems by Wilhelm Müller. It is from the cycle Johannes und Esther. (Im Frühling zu lesen.) (John and Esther. (To read in the spring.)) https://youtu.be/Q_fd7fEtQis About the arranger Olivia Sparkhall studied composition at Durham University with Paul Archbold, composing for the Northern Sinfonietta and Flower Quartet as part of her studies. Since moving to South West England, she has focused primarily on writing vocal music, notably for BBC One’s Songs of Praise programme. Recent commissions have been for International Women’s Day services in 2018 (Lux Aeterna) and 2019 (Faith and Hope). She was short-listed in the Cappella Nova competition in 2018 for Dona Nobis Pacem. The SATB version of Prayer on Christmas Eve (Gebet in der Christnacht) is published by Multitude of Voyces in their anthologies of sacred music, Volume 1.

Edexcel A Level (2016-) Help on taking notes during the lesson. Particularly handy if your students don't seem to be writing your pearls of wisdom down...

I have analysed the two specimen papers published by Edexcel, in conjunction with the Specification. By identifying and understanding the requirements of these specimen papers, I have been able to produce a set of resources which will prepare the students for the examination. By reading my analysis, I believe that you will be able to answer the perennial question, ‘will this be in the exam?’ with more confidence, leaving you freer to achieve your primary aim of instilling a love and appreciation of music in your students. What will you gain from the question paper analysis document? 1. Evidence of actual exam questions produced by Edexcel, broken down into sets 2. A clear sense of the style and type of question your student will receive 3. A confidence in knowing what your students need to know and the sort of questions they will answer to demonstrate their knowledge.

Find a recording of Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals on YouTube to listen to and/or watch. Read through this worksheet and then have a go at describing what you hear. You will need to pause the music after each animal to give yourself time to write.

An explanation of the philosophy behind by my resources and how they are rooted in educational research. In teaching GCSE Music, my aim is to instil a life-long love and appreciation of music in my students. I also want them to achieve the best possible mark in their GCSE examination. My teaching philosophy is based on these desires. The publication of the new specification (2016-) provides an opportunity to revisit teaching methods and to ensure that students are being taught in the best way possible. We know, from educational research, that some teaching methods are more successful than others. The resources can be used as formative assessments. The expectation is that students will get all of the questions right because the aim is for teachers to teach to mastery. If they do not score highly then the concept should be revisited immediately to address any misconceptions. This method helps a student to ‘build a firm long-term memory of the concept being taught’ (Christodoulou, 2016).

This resource is designed to stop your students copying each other's work, and copying (uncredited) from the internet.

OCR A Level Music - improve your students' progress with this handy reminder that your pearls of wisdom should be duly noted.