Carisse is an experienced teacher of A-level Music and Vocational Music, and is currently Head of Music at a sixth form college in the North West of England. She has examining experience in A-level Music, specifically for coursework and specialises professionally in both performance and music analysis. Carisse has also been a Subject Advisor for Pearson, examining for both the NQF Level 1/2 BTEC Award in Music and the QCF Level 3 BTEC in Music.
Carisse is an experienced teacher of A-level Music and Vocational Music, and is currently Head of Music at a sixth form college in the North West of England. She has examining experience in A-level Music, specifically for coursework and specialises professionally in both performance and music analysis. Carisse has also been a Subject Advisor for Pearson, examining for both the NQF Level 1/2 BTEC Award in Music and the QCF Level 3 BTEC in Music.
A revision powerpoint on Haydn’s Symphony No. 104, Movement 2. Complete with an overview of the main musical features of each section of the work and sample exam-style questions taken from past papers and sample materials.
An analysis of Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, looking at the Development of the Symphony. Core topics discussed include programme, instrumentation, and the symphonic form. A summary response explores how this symphony is a product of Romanticism. Links to audio and tasks for students to explore bar numbers and extracts of the different movements. Accompanying worksheet.
A powerpoint looking at the historical context behind 70s British Punk, including discussion of musical features, stage presence, politics, iconic artists/tracks and the evolution into the 80s. Could be used as an overview, initial look at the topic, revision or for sparking conversation.
A comprehensive unit of work on 1970s British Punk (Politics, Protest & Pogoing), looking at the historical & political context, as well as two track analyses on The Clash’s White Riot (1977) and The Sex Pistols’ God Save the Queen (1977). American Bubblgum Punk of the early 2000s (America, Angst & Alternative Dress) is then explored with a track analysis of Green Day’s American Idiot (2004), followed by a look at more recent UK Punk with references to Soft Play’s Punk’s Dead (2023).
Resource consists of 4 separate powerpoints and a written assignment template.
Warning: there are some potentially triggering references and images linked to 9/11. Exploration of lyrical content throughout touches on some sensitive topics. Quotes of lyrics reference explicit language.
An analysis of Takemitsu’s Rain Spell for the 21st century topic on the Eduqas A’level Music specification. Close look at extended playing techniques for the flute, clarinet, harp, vibraphone and piano. Discussion of the use of the spectralism style, harmony & tonality, rhythm & metre and graphical notation. Worksheet and teacher analysis. Recordings and scores can be freely found online.
A comprehensive guide to 60s Psychedelic Rock, with specific focus on The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper album with some comparison to The Rolling Stones’ Their Satanic Majesties Request album. Both albums from 1968.
Track Analyses include: A Day in the Life, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds & Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite by The Beatles, as well as 2000 Light Years from Home by The Rolling Stones.
Analysis focuses on main musical features and characteristics of 60s Psychedelic Rock.
A suggest written, research/homework activity is also provided. All information is included in 1 powerpoint resource.
An analysis of Saariaho’s Petals for the 21st century topic on the Eduqas A’level Music specification. Close look at extended playing techniques for the cello and the use of technology, including harmoniser & reverb units. Discussion of the use of the spectralism style, harmony & tonality, rhythm & metre and graphical notation. Worksheet and teacher analysis. Recordings and scores can be freely found online.
RSL CMI376 Music Instrument Development: Unit Support
Suggested activities, structure and guidance powerpoint to support learners to produce a research presentation on the history and development of the use of a chosen instrument or voice from 1950 to the present day.
Document can be fully edited to suit centre circumstances and learner needs.
RSL CMI303/340/372 Evaluations Mini-Vlog Series Support.
Evaluation criteria knitted together across series of units as follows:
CMI303 Performing Music Live
CMI340 Composing Music (Styles)
CMI372 Music in Context
Mini-vlog series tasks involve guidance on the evaluation of ensemble performances, composition work and personal responses to genres. Genres covered in tasks are 50s Rock ‘n’ Roll, 70s Punk & 70s Disco.
Disco evaluation guidance edited to be a 1:1 interview for variety.
All tasks can be fully edited to suit centre circumstances and learner needs.
This resource features a 32 page workbook for students to use for note-taking and/or for submission, as well as a 29-slide powerpoint.
An in-depth and comprehensive resource that looks at the building blocks of 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll music. Points covered include the following:
The Rockabilly Aesthetic & Subculture
Controversy & Dance craze
Jukeboxes & RCA Victor
Fender Telecaster
Fender Precision Bass
Playing techniques & iconic performers: drum kit, piano, horn section, vocals.
12-bar blues & stop time
Blues scale & Walking Bass
Lyrical Content
Slapback delay & RCA Victor Ribbon Microphone
Catered for the Level 3 RSL Creative Music Industry course, specifically CMI372 Music in Context, Criteria 1.2.
A lesson originally used in a Music Department Taster event for Y10 and Y11 students (went down well across 160 students in 13 sessions). Recordings of songs mentioned are readily available on YouTube.
The session looks at the UK mainstream charts, focussing on No. 1s and analysing their musical features to assess the formula for what makes a “hit” track. It then hones in on a huge current trend that has been bubbling under the surface for a couple of years - country music (or rather “pseudo-country”).
RSL Level 3 Creative Music Industry course. CMI303 Performing Music Live Criteria 1: Planning Workbook. Suggested activities across multiple practical projects, designed to be delivered throughout 1 academic year. Four booklets that include tasks with detailed guidance and examples as follows:
Booklet 1. C1.1a) Image Portrayal. Punk Project, including Mood Board, Justification & Stage Persona.
Booklet 2. C1.1b) Communication with other Musicians & Technical Staff. Disco Project, including Rehearsal Logs, Soundchecks, Communication Strategies, Audience Interaction & Ensemble Meetings.
Booklet 3. C1.1d) Promotion to an Intended Audience. Solo Project, including Marketing Campaign Strategies & Promotional Strategies.
Booklet 4. C1.1b) Selection & Preparation of Repertoire, C1.1e) Venue Type, C1.1f) Personal Equipment Selection. Covers Project, including Repertoire List, Justifications, Rehearsal Schedule, Venue Comparison, Risk Assessment, Fire Safety Medical & Crowd Control, Equipment List.
All tasks and dates can be fully edited to suit centre circumstances and learner needs.
RSL CMI374 Music Artist & the Media: Unit Support
Suggested activities, structure and guidance powerpoint to support learners to produce a research presentation on how the media impacts music artists careers & reputations and how artists can use the media to their advantage.
Document can be fully edited to suit centre circumstances and learner needs.
A comprehensive guide to 80s Synthpop, with specific focus on Gary Numan, the Eurythmics and the Pet Shop Boys.
Track Analyses include: Cars by Gary Numan, Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics and Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money) by the Pet Shop Boys.
Analysis focuses on main musical features and characteristics of 80s Synthpop.
A suggested written, research/homework activity is also provided. All information is included in 1 powerpoint resource.
A comprehensive guide to 80s Heavy Rock, with specific focus on Van Halen and Motorhead.
Track Analyses include: Jump by Van Halen and Ace of Spades by Motorhead.
Analysis focuses on main musical features and characteristics of 80s Heavy Rock, as well as the development of the electric guitar, iconic guitarists and evolution into 90s Grunge and Nu-Metal.
All information is included in 1 powerpoint resource. There is an accompanying set of questions that scaffold an extended response on how electric guitarists have influenceed the development of different styles of music from 1960-1990.
A comprehensive guide to 60s Motown Soul, with specific focus on The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Marvin Gaye.
Track Analyses include: Baby Love & I Hear A Symphony by The Supremes, Tracks of My Tears by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye.
Analysis focuses on main musical features and characteristics of 60s Motown Soul.
All information is included in 1 powerpoint resource.
A 72-slide powerpoint with a detailed analysis of Movements I & II from Haydn's Symphony No. 104. This resource would be particularly useful for the new Eduqas A-level Music specification.
