• Composing exercises, tasks and projects based on the new specifications. This publication is available only in CD format (just too many pages to print at an economic price) but you will be able to print off any pages you require, so no need for Student Workbooks.

• There is however a `Teachers` Book` available – basically this is a bound and covered print-out of all the pages on the CD . . . quicker and easier to browse through a book rather than click through the pages individually on computer. (Book only - £15)

• The CD contains 250+ A4 pages in 'Word' .doc format (so you can edit and redraft worksheets to your own requirements) and in .pdf format (`Adobe Acrobat`) plus many exercises in `Sibelius` and MIDI file format and 200+ audio tracks in mpeg4 format (`iTunes` and `Quicktime`). Can be used either on PC or Mac.

• Units covered: AQA Unit 2 - Composing and Appraising Music     Unit 4 - Composing Music            

                               EDEXCEL Unit 2 - Composing Music

                               OCR Unit B351 - Integrated Tasks   Unit B352 - Practical Portfolio   Unit B353 - Creative Task

• Cost of the CD is £45 (Teachers` Book - £15 if required) but this includes permission to use the files on multiple computers or on a network and permission to print off pages. The exercises are widely differentiated – can be used from KS3 to A level.

• Please note that while most of the material in this publication is completely new, we have also taken and adapted material from a number of our previous publications (especially our 2001`GCSE Composing`). In all cases, however, this material has been redrafted to be compatible with the new specifications and the exercises reformatted into Sibelius files.

• For each of the three exam boards, there is a `Word` document in the `Getting Started` folder, indicating the potential links between the contents of the publication and the individual Composing units of each of the new GCSE specifications. Click on the link(s) below to download copies in `Word` format.

• The publication is set out in three parts . . .  PART 1 – Foundation,   PART 2 – Intermediate and PART 3 – Advanced.

• Each of the three parts is divided into the same eight sections . . .

Composing Techniques – mostly technical exercises;

Working with chords – using chord progressions as the basis for composing work;

Using loops and motifs – working with short phrases rather than extended melodies;

Writing for voice – work specifically aimed at vocal music;

Descriptive music – programme music and music for film;

Development of ideas – manipulating themes and motifs;

Use of technology – maximising the musical potential of computer based compositions and scoring;

Arranging – some of the principles of stylistic arrangement.          

The level of difficulty is broadly differentiated across the three parts and it should certainly be possible to use different levels of this material from KS3 to A level.

• There is also an Appendix included with each of the three parts, containing additional supporting material . . . much of it of an approachable `theoretical` nature. Appendix III also contains ten sample papers for the OCR B353 Creative Task.

• Further details and sample pages to follow shortly - for a list of contents / index, please click on blue buttons above.