UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
THE MATRICULATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
MUSIC
MAY 2008
EXAMINERS’ REPORT
MATRICULATION AND SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATIONS BOARD
IM Examiners’ Report – May 2008
IM MUSIC
MAY 2008 SESSION
EXAMINERS’ REPORT
1.0 Statistical Information
2.0 Comments on Candidates’ Performance
The panel of examiners is submitting this critical report on the general performance of the
students sitting for Music at Intermediate Level.
Table 1: Grade Distribution of May 2008
A
B
C
Grade
D
E
F
Abs
Total
Number
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
6
% of Total
50.0
33.3
16.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
100.0
2.1 Part 1 - Aural
This paper is designed to assess the musicianship of the candidates. The majority of the
candidates provided good responses.
2.2 Part II
Harmony
Candidates have to be continually on the watch-out for the correct negotiation of parts which
move effortlessly and which ensure correct harmonic rhythm. Two candidates gave very weak
harmonisations There is a general tendency to use second inversions indiscriminately.
Counterpoint
The set exercise was handled rather carelessly in some instances. Candidates need to be
more creative in handling free eighteenth-century counterpoint that moves independently and
not mechanically with the upper part, thus offering weak contrapuntal solutions.
History Topics
All the candidates showed a general understanding of the topics given except one candidate
who totally misunderstood one of the set topics answered.
Prescribed Works
All candidates tackled this section efficiently.
Performance/Composition
Most of the candidates gave a satisfactory performance though occasional slips were present.
One candidate ‘s offering needs to watch out the intonation. Prospective composers showed
a good creative output that given the right academic training will help secure a good
compositional technique.
Chairman
Board of Examiners
September 2008
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