Edexcel A Level Music Section A Clara Schumann (for Summer 2022) Includes everything you need for a section A Clara Schumann practice question (including skeleton score and answers).

Test your knowledge of some Elements of Music words and their definitions. An answer sheet is provided.

An end of topic test on Purcell ‘Music for a while’. One page of questions accompanied by a one-page answer sheet for teachers. Please see my other end-of-topic tests for Areas of Study One and Two.

Fully updated for examination in 2022 onwards. Now with separate ‘student’ and ‘answer’ booklets (two, separate files). This six-page resource requires the student to have access to the Rhinegold Study Guide and the A Level Anthology of Music. Students undertake a variety of exercises including comprehension questions, listening, essay practice and note-making. Other music examples are provided. An answer sheet is provided for the teacher. Please also see ‘Bach Cantata Reading’ for context and more other music examples. Also included: Bach Cantata Reading. This extensive resource (5 pages) provides ample ‘other music’ examples using Bach Cantata BWV48 ‘Ich Elender Mensch’ from the old A Level syllabus. There is plenty of differentiation enabling you to pick-and-choose how much each student tackles. The score is in the old (2001-2016) Edexcel Anthology or available for free from imslp.com. One exercise requires the students to read a few pages in Baroque Music by Palisca. If you require any additional materials to help you deliver this resource, please send me a message. A 3-page answer booklet is also included.

A set of five warm-up cards for KS2 and 3. 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 IS THE VERSION WHICH I WILL POST* TO YOU. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE THE DOWNLOADABLE VERSION, PLEASE VISIT THE OTHER PAGE. *Post option only available in the U.K.

Fully updated for examination in 2022 onwards. Now with separate ‘student’ and ‘answer’ booklets (two, separate files). ‘Clara Schumann’ is resource which fills the gaps left by the published resources available. Here you will find comprehension questions on the background information contained in the Anthology, practice question 5 and question 6 essays and, essentially, plenty of other music listening examples with information and some contextual information missing from other text books. Links to recordings and scores are provided but all links are available on a dedicated web-page. A comprehensive answer-sheet is provided. ‘Clara Schumann other music’ includes context on chamber music and sonata form. Ideal for revision: Recaps, reinforces and builds on the Clara Schumann worksheet. This section includes two student pages and an answer page. NEW for 2022 See also a Section A practice question here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-12677578 Please email me if you need anything more.

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.

These West Side Story questions are about the final scenes of the film, from 'A boy like that' to the end. This is a one-page worksheet.

This three-page resource provides an accompaniment to the DVD about the making of the West Side Story film.

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.

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

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.