Composition and Performance

For the performance assessment at AS level, students must be at least a Grade 4 standard of the instrumental exam board in the instrument they wish to play. This includes voice. The music chosen for the performance must meet or exceed Grade 4 standards.

At A2 level, students must be at least a Grade 6 standard in the instrument they wish to play. The music chosen for the performance must meet or exceed Grade 6 standards. At A2, students must talk to the examiner about their performance and the wider repertoire for their instrument.

It is important for students to extend their technique and experience through playing challenging music. However, students score better marks if they meet the technical challenges of the piece easily and concentrate on the expressive nature of the music.

Below are some tips to help students perform:

Preparation
Your teacher will help you choose suitable music for your performance. You are much more likely to be awarded higher marks if you play a simple piece of music really well rather than a difficult piece badly. Practise, practise, practise. Familiarise yourself with the music. Practise until you know the notes perfectly. Identify how the composer intended the piece to played – the dynamics, speed and expression. Learn to play the piece as the composer intended. Interpret the music. Add your expression to the music. (Competent musicians can play everything technically perfectly but great musicians add their heart and soul to the ingredients.) Practise by playing for your friends and family. This will get you used to playing without breaks and playing in front of an audience. Listen to your teacher – he or she will be able to advise you on how you may improve. Visualise playing in front of the visiting assessor. Imagine yourself performing the pieces perfectly. Get a good night’s sleep before the performance. Don’t eat a heavy meal before the performance. This may make you feel sluggish. Allow yourself some quiet time before the performance. Find a quiet place and mentally go over the performance.

Preparation

Your teacher will help you choose suitable music for your performance.
You are much more likely to be awarded higher marks if you play a simple piece of music really well rather than a difficult piece badly.
Practise, practise, practise.
Familiarise yourself with the music. Practise until you know the notes perfectly.
Identify how the composer intended the piece to played – the dynamics, speed and expression. Learn to play the piece as the composer intended.
Interpret the music. Add your expression to the music. (Competent musicians can play everything technically perfectly but great musicians add their heart and soul to the ingredients.)
Practise by playing for your friends and family. This will get you used to playing without breaks and playing in front of an audience.
Listen to your teacher – he or she will be able to advise you on how you may improve.
Visualise playing in front of the visiting assessor. Imagine yourself performing the pieces perfectly.
Get a good night’s sleep before the performance.
Don’t eat a heavy meal before the performance. This may make you feel sluggish.
Allow yourself some quiet time before the performance. Find a quiet place and mentally go over the performance.

Performing
Remember that the examiner can only award marks for how you perform on the day. Remember to breathe in an even and relaxed manner – breathing this way normally helps you to stay calm and relaxed. Make sure your posture is good and that you are comfortably positioned. Don’t panic! Mistakes happen! Don’t stop playing if you make a mistake. Forget about it and move on. Have fun!