Junior Cert Music - Choice Works and Songs
Junior Cert Music - Choice Works and Songs
Junior Cert Music - Choice Works and Songs
Choice Songs
Features include a range of over an octave, melodic repetition and the use of backing
vocals.
Early one morning is a traditional English folk song. It tells the age-old story of
unrequited love.
The tonality is major, the mood is sad and the speed is Moderate.
Musical features include – repetition, a melody based on triads and a wide range.
Schumann was a German composer. This short art song is about a lotus blossom, which
closes its petals in the sunlight and opens them in the cool night.
The tonality is major, the time signature is 6/8 and the mood is calm.
Musical features in this work include repeated notes in the melody, the words are
repeats and the melody changes key.
4. Historical and Modern Ballads
A ballad is a song that tells a story. The fields of Athenry is a historical ballad set
during the famine. It tells the story of a young man who has been sent to Australia for
stealing corn to feed his family.
The tonality is major, the speed is slow and the mood is sad.
Musical features include repeated notes in the melody, the verse and chorus have the
same music and syncopation.
The tonality is major, the mood is reflective, and the speed is fast.
Musical features include unusual phrase lengths, backing vocals and a syncopated
rhythm.
Features include: Step movement, syncopation and the use of a counter melody.
West Side Story is one of Bernstein’s most famous musicals. It is based on Romeo and
Juliette.
The tonality is major, and the speed is moderate. The Mood is dramatic and humorous.
Features include Syncopation, repeated notes and phrases and the use of two different
time signatures.
8. Songs involving simple descants, ostinato, simple two-part songs, rounds and
cannons.
‘Frére Jacques’
The tonality is major, the speed is moderate, and the time signature is 4/4.
Features include – melodic repetition, polyphonic texture and the use of a melodic
ostinato.
Junior Cert Music – Choice Works
1) Dance Movements
Dance of the swan is a dance work from the ballet Swan Lake. Dancers dance high
on their toes and tilt their heads in time with staccato notes in the music.
Features of this work include – Minor key, Staccato, main instruments are from the
woodwind and string family
Badinerie – JS bach.
A Badinerie is a short and lively dance. The badinerie is the final piece in Suite No.2
by Bach.
The tonality is B minor; the speed is fast and the time signature is 2/4
Features include – the use of sequences, ornamentation and both sections start with
the same melody just in different keys.
Based on a gospel song of the same name. Louis Armstrong is considered to be one
of the greatest jazz musicians of all time.
Musical features include – Syncopated rhythm, Call and response, use of different
rhythms at the one time.
4) Movements Involving an instrumental or vocal solist or a group of Soloists
interacting with an accompanying ensemble.
One of the most famous scenes from this work is the Anvil Chorus. It tells the
story of a group of gypsies signing at dawn about the sad day that awaits them at
work. As they sing they hammer steel. The beat of the hammers can be heard in the
music.
Features include: Major Key, opening theme based on triads, the voices sing in
unison.
The march begins with a strong rhythmic introduction like fan fare on brass
instruments. This is very appropriate for the start of the tri wizard cup.
Features include – Repeated notes, major key, the brass family, exciting mood.
6) Concert Overtures
The Oklahoma overture opens with trills on strings followed by swirling notes.
Features include: Lively mood, major key, contrast between the melody’s, rising
scales.