Music Elective Programme (MEP)

[Gems]

phankao, I would like to check with you the following since your son will be taking Music as a humanities subject during \"O\" levels:


1. What is the difference between Music at \"O\" levels and Higher Music at \"O\" levels?

2. Besides using as a humanities subject for JC, is there any other benefits/uses of this Music \"O\" level certificate? How is it as compared to a Grade 8 ABRSM?

Thanks in advance!

[phankao]

Gems:

phankao, I would like to check with you the following since your son will be taking Music as a humanities subject during \"O\" levels:


1. What is the difference between Music at \"O\" levels and Higher Music at \"O\" levels?

2. Besides using as a humanities subject for JC, is there any other benefits/uses of this Music \"O\" level certificate? How is it as compared to a Grade 8 ABRSM?

Thanks in advance!

Er... none of my sons taking music for O levels.

Music & Higher Music syllabus is all on the MOE exam website for you to peruse:

http://www.seab.gov.sg/oLevel/GCEOsyllabus/schoolCandidates/2013_GCE_O.html

The subject is definitely way broader than an ABRSM grade 8 practical exam certificate. You can tell from the syllabus writeup.

HTH!

[Gems]

The syllables seem to be very heavy and tough. Thanks for info, phankao.

[teacher_girl]

pokemon:

If unfortunately my ds did not do well enough in psle to get into those sec schools that offer MEP, can he still opt for MEP in one of those designated school and he wil travel to the sch for MEP cls.


Many tia.

He may apply July to take Music O Levels at a Music centre for sec3 & 4.
It will be the exact same paper as those who did the MEP for 4 years.

Established schools who have been doing Music O levels for external students for years (and has students doing well) are ACSi & MGS.

If your child would like to do music Os, do encourage him to go for him. Other than it being an extra subject, it is a privilege and joy to be able to do music as a subject!
If you already have a grade5 theory, the rest would be be fine, I'm very sure the teachers will teach them well.


Hope this weels!

[Coolkidsrock2]

Can I check if it is mandatory to put the MEP school as a first choice if we are keen to do the MEP? It is indicated in MOE’s website as "encouraged" to put as first choice. I am interpreting this as not mandatory. Please let me know if you come across any materials that indicate that it is mandatory to put as a first choice.


Thank you.

[PlatypusMeowMeow]

Since MEP and O level music papers are the same, do MEP students also get the 2 bonus points for O level music?

[phankao]

PlatypusMeowMeow:

Since MEP and O level music papers are the same, do MEP students also get the 2 bonus points for O level music?

MEP students do O-level Higher Music Paper, not just O-level Music.

I've not heard of bonus 2 points?

[teacher_girl]

Coolkidsrock2:

Can I check if it is mandatory to put the MEP school as a first choice if we are keen to do the MEP? It is indicated in MOE's website as \"encouraged\" to put as first choice. I am interpreting this as not mandatory. Please let me know if you come across any materials that indicate that it is mandatory to put as a first choice.


Thank you.

hi!
Its not mandatory.
As long as you get into that school (which offers MEP), you may apply for MEP.
I believe they advice you to put it as the first choice so that you can be sure you enter a school with such an MEP system.

[phankao]

Chamber Music Masterclass for MEP Students

-----------------------------------------

In this Chamber Music Masterclass, conductor Darrell Ang worked with students from ACSI, TJC, DHS, and NJC on pieces ranging from Mozart's Piano Quartet to Shostakovich's String Quartet on 21 & 22 March 2013 at Esplanade Library:

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.527200460652143.1073741833.113978988640961&type=1

Be sure to catch the student ensembles 'live' on 6 April 2013 as they put up a Chamber Performance at the library@esplanade.

Date: 6 April 2013
Time: 5-6pm
Venue: Library @ Esplanade

[music_cher]

Hello,


Just happened to chance upon this forum and thought I would just address some misconceptions and give some advice since the open houses and DSA applications are coming up. :rahrah:

First of all, MEP is not for students who just want to be performers. It is a programme to encourage and train students to be an all-rounded musician. This is why the performance component is worth only 20-25% with theory, history, analysis, composition, aural, etc making up the rest.

Grade 3 Practical and Theory is the MEP eligibility criteria, but in truth those with Grade 5 Theory still struggle with the theory component. It is not advisable to skip any theory grade. Even if you don't take the exam, at least work through the entire grade especially from Grade 5 onwards as the content knowledge from Grades 6, 7, 8 is required for the composition and analysis components.

With aesthetics subjects like art and music, the portfolio and/or audition is always the most important when determining one's entry into the programmes. The graded exams certification (ABRSM or equivalent) is only used for the judging panel's reference. To put it bluntly, it does not truly show one's talent; it only demonstrates one's ability to play 3 different pieces with guidance from the instrumental teacher.

Different MEP schools have their own criteria, but in general what they want to see is talent, potential, attitude. One can't tell much from just a certificate/supporting document. But in an audition, firstly it shows one's technical control of the instrument under assessment conditions. And more importantly, how much the student understands about their chosen repertoire (the work itself and its background) becomes very apparent.

MEP is a really tough programme. The demands may be even more than other academic subjects. Just think of all that subject content to learn (which is not easy to begin with), then the long, tiring hours (between 1.5 to 3 hours) after curriculum time plus having to make time for instrumental practise.

It is normal for MEP centres to take in 40-60 students in Sec 1 because those who cannot cope will eventually drop the subject. :imdrowning: By mid-year or beginning of Sec 2, the number will be down to 20+ and much smaller by Sec 3. However, MEP-DSA is different as there is a 4-year minimum period of study and any student who wants to drop out of the programme has to leave the school.

Okay, getting quite lengthy already so I shall stop. Anyway, hope the above info helps!