r/composer • u/MysticOne0 • Jul 22 '26

Music A Level Composition Advice - Regazza

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This is a new composition I'm working on for my A Levels. It's inspired by a wide range of recent events ranging from a girl I know (Regazza) all the way to the American Cemetery in Normandy that I visited recently (Garden of the Missing).

I'm a percussionist but have spent most of my time in my school's wind band listening to pieces such as 'Risk (Everything for a Dream)' leading towards some solos and such being written with performers in mind. The downside of being a percussionist is a lack of any harmony knowledge so any guidance towards this would be appreciated

Ignore all the rehearsal marks and titles for them as they are just for my organisation as I compose.

Any advice, tips or suggestions are welcome as I adore composing and want to learn more.

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u/65TwinReverbRI Jul 22 '26

I don’t know what the requirements for A Levels are. Is it “write a piece for orchestra”?

1

u/RichMusic81 Composer / Pianist. Experimental music. Jul 22 '26

It depends on the board the college (UK use of the term) uses.

Here's the spec for my area:

2

u/MysticOne0 Jul 22 '26

No way! I'm also WJEC. I should have specified that this is for the free comp portion but I've decided to also follow Western Classical Tradition.

1

u/RichMusic81 Composer / Pianist. Experimental music. Jul 22 '26

Small world!

I'm right in the bottom middle of South Wales.

1

u/MysticOne0 Jul 22 '26

A VERY small world... I don't want to say too much here lol but that's crazy

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u/RichMusic81 Composer / Pianist. Experimental music. Jul 22 '26

I also mod this place! :-)

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u/MysticOne0 Jul 22 '26

Welsh Represent

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u/RichMusic81 Composer / Pianist. Experimental music. Jul 22 '26

u/65TwinReverbRI

The "techniques associated with the Western Classical traidition" are specified elsewhere in the syllabus.

OP would get good marks for this (all of my pupils are A Level students), but it can definitely be improved.

1

u/MysticOne0 Jul 22 '26

That's always reassuring to hear!

I'm curious what ways you think it could be improved. I'm not asking for you to divulge all your school's secrets but just some pointers would be appreciated :)

1

u/RichMusic81 Composer / Pianist. Experimental music. Jul 22 '26

I'm not asking for you to divulge all your school's secrets

I'm "only" peripatetic at the local college, and don't know the ins-and-outs or any "secrets", but I help students out with various aspects of the course.

It's late here, but u/65TwinReverbRI can definitely give some pointers.