On Track: 13 Ensemble Works For Key Stage 4

13 specially commissioned pieces which aim to breathe new life into a largely neglected component of the GCSE/Key Stage 4 Music syllabus, Ensemble Performance. On Track comes complete with a CD-Rom containing all the parts for all the pieces and transpositions for any instrument, and these parts come with a licence for printing as many copies as needed, directly from the CD-Rom. A separate 'audio' CD also contains recordings of every piece. The book contains scores for each piece and extended notes by the composers to aid in the preparation of the music: there are 5 pieces for fixed ensembles and 8 pieces for flexible ensembles. The editor of the compilation, Sadie Harrison, comments: "Playing in an ensemble with one's peers is perhaps the most rewarding and satisfying thing to do as a young performer, and it is crucial to nurture this element of GCSE courses to reflect this. On Track is a fantastic collection of many different styles, approaches and sounds. There is something in here for everybody, at whatever level, and on whatever instrument. This is what GCSE Music teachers are crying out for, and finally here is something that really hits the mark." Harrison's comments are echoed by recent examiners' reports from EdExcel, one of the largest examiners of GCSE music. They describe how the music they heard in examinations demonstrated 'an extreme range of standards and revealed evidence of the very wide range of instruments in use'. The AQA (Assessment and Qualification Alliance) Examiners' report in 2004 warns schools against allowing their students to present solo music with a piano accompaniment played by a teacher or with a CD accompaniment for the ensemble performance component. It continues, saying that "it is of utmost importance that the chosen ensemble allows the candidate to show rapport with the other player(s). This is a significant requirement with which many [examination] centres did NOT comply." Fixed Ensembles Sadie Harrison — On the run!for clarinet in Bb, violin, 'cello, piano Ed Hughes — Matthew's Mazurkafor piano duet Jeremy Dale Roberts — 'Takes three...' for trumpet, 'cello, piano Matthew Roddie — Gone Clubbin' for violin, 'cello Thomas Simaku — From Across the Sea for 2 flutes, clarinet in Bb Flexible Ensembles David Blake — Piece for Luis and Justin for four instruments Anthony Gilbert — U-GO for Arirang for four instruments Jo Kondo — A Birthday Toast for any number of instruments David Lumsdaine — A tree dances for Orpheus for three instruments Paul Mealor — Swing Slow for two instruments Robert Saxton — There and Back for three instruments John Stringer — Duo for two instruments Luís Tinoco — Diversion for four instruments