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Teacher Resource Bank
GCE Music
Controlled Time: MUSC2 and MUSC5
A Practical Guide for Students
Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Music / Controlled Time: MUSC2 and MUSC5 A Practical Guide for Students / Version 1.0


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GCE MUSIC MUSC2 AND MUSC5
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST OF CONTROLLED TIME A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR
STUDENTS


How to prepare

Here are some suggestions to help you prepare:

You will not be allowed to see the briefs until the beginning of your first session of
controlled time but it will help your preparation if you are able to decide in
advance which option you prefer.
Study the skills needed for your preferred brief including harmonic vocabulary,
forms and the use of instruments, voices or sound sources.
Write some practice compositions for the chosen instruments and try them out in
performance.
Become very familiar with any software you will be using.
Practise composing in timed sessions, increasing the duration gradually
perhaps begin by giving yourself an hour, then two and see what you can
complete in that time.
Complete two or three compositions in timed periods so that the process
becomes familiar before the controlled sessions begin, and you will know how to
plan your time.

Working in controlled time

The composition or techniques question you submit for the examination must be written
entirely within the controlled time.

You may not take any written work into the timed sessions, with the exception
that if you choose the vocal music option in Brief B of MUSC2 or write voice parts
in Briefs B or C of MUSC5, you may take in an unmarked text.
You must not use ideas or material loaded in the software without
acknowledgement.
You mustnt discuss the work with your teacher or anyone else during the timed
sessions. However, between sessions you will be able to consult books, scores
or your teacher for guidance on technical matters. Your teacher will be able to
give guidance on general matters of fact and principle, but not assistance with
the work in progress.
Between sessions you wont have access to your work. You wont be allowed to
take any material out of the room, either on paper or memory stick or send it out
by email.
Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Music / MUSC5 Guidance / Version 1.0


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Allow time to edit the score in detail with dynamics, phrasing, text and
articulation.
If you are presenting a composition as a recording without a traditional score
(Briefs B and C only) then it must be accompanied by an annotation. This is
a detailed written document which takes the place of the score and helps the
examiner to understand your work. You need to ensure that you allow
sufficient time within the 20 hours for completing it.
You must submit a recording to accompany the written score or annotation. If
you make the recording during the controlled time, you still have the
opportunity to revise your composition in any remaining time. You will be
allowed help with the recording but you must declare it on the Candidate
Record Form.
You might want to make a live recording of your composition for example if
it was a piece for Rock Group. If you do this during the controlled time and
want to make some changes to the piece as you try it out this is OK, but your
teacher must supervise the session to ensure the work can be validated as
your own. You cant use ideas from other members of the group without
declaring them. Of course you can also opt to make a live recording when the
20 hours is up, but then you will not be able to change anything which arises
during rehearsal or performance.
You might begin one brief or composition and find it doesnt work out. You
can begin another but you will then only be able to use what remains of the
20 hours and remember that only one attempt will be submitted and
marked. You will have to declare which brief you are offering when final
entries for the unit are made in March, so the decision must be made by then.
There are two parts to Brief A. If you choose this brief you must respond to
both parts, and you must submit a score for each.
For MUSC5 you must write a review (maximum 500 words). This can be
written after the 20 hours of controlled time if you wish.


Completing your work

You wont be able to alter your composition once the controlled hours are
completed. A copy will be taken at the end of the examination for submission
to the examiner.
You can make a recording of a live performance or you can submit an ICT
recording. In either case, if the recording is made after the end of the
controlled time no further changes can be made to the composition.
For MUSC5, the review should explain your aims in writing the composition
and evaluate its success. You need not describe the score or repeat material
from the annotation, but do include anything which may not be immediately
apparent to the examiner, such as the stimulus for a free composition or the
basis of a pastiche.