Leaving Cert music: No bum notes in an ‘engaging’ paper

Students enjoyed the Leaving Cert music exam and were happy that it was straightforward, teachers have said.

Áine Balfe, ASTI subject representative and teacher at St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School, Dublin 8, said the higher-level listening and composition papers were both enjoyable.

Susan McCormick, a music teacher at the Institute of Education, agreed that the papers were very manageable.

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“The questions in this year’s music listening paper mirrored those of last year, with many questions asking students to identify features and to compare and contrast excerpts.” Ms McCormick said.

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“In the listening paper, Mozart featured as the opening 25 mark question,” Ms Balfe said. “As expected the candidates were required to identify instruments playing, features of the music and compare different excerpts of music

“Sean-nós music featured in the Irish Music listening section and there was a great choice in the Irish music essays.

“Tottentanz (by Liszt) and Finlandia (by Sibelius) featured as unheard listening excerpts in the final question on the listening paper.”

On the composition paper, students were required to answer a question on a melody or a harmony.

“Most students will have opted for question one (melody) — this year a non-upbeat minor key- or question five (harmony),” said Ms McCormick.

“I anticipate that the majority of students will have attempted question five. This question was lovely and very doable, providing students didn’t overcomplicate the simple nature of the bass. It had clear cadential points and chord options for each box, allowing the students to create beautiful chord progressions.”