Self-directed Study Sheet 13

Context: Nick is blind, has severe learning difficulties and is on the autism spectrum. In the video, he is rehearsing Beethoven’s Coriolan overture in a local amateur orchestra, supported by his music teacher. (The sheet music is for her benefit.)

  1. Observation: Think about what you see and hear in the video.
  2. Interpretation: What can you reasonably infer about the person's musical engagement?
  3. Assessment: Suggest a Sounds of Intent Level and Domain.

Nick plays his part fluently and in time with the other musicians. This shows that Nick appreciates how his part – which he has memorised – fits with the others, in a standard work from the Western classical orchestral repertoire. He can make the necessary ongoing adjustments to ensure that his playing first with that of the other musicians in a piece of some sophistication and complexity. This excerpt shows engagement at Level 6, Interactive (I.6): ‘performs and/or improvises music of increasing sophistication expressively with other people’.