Music

Assessment

The Course consists of three components, all of which are examined during Year 13: 1. Performing – 30% of A Level - Students will need to complete a recital of a minimum of 8 minutes of actual playing time in length. This will be recorded in school at some point between 1st March and 15th May of year 13 and then submitted to the board for marking. An audience of at least 2 people must be present at the recording. Any instrument and any style of music is permitted. However, the music performed must be of sufficient difficulty. During the course, there will be opportunities to practise performing in front of an audience to develop skills. 2. Composing – 30% of A Level - For this component, two pieces of work need to be submitted. The first is a composition which is to a brief set by the exam board at the start of Year 13. There are 6 briefs each year, one relating to each of the six areas of study. The second piece is a piece of technical writing, and we study the Bach Chorale option. Students will learn how to complete a 4-part chorale harmonization in the style of Bach. In the Spring of Year 13, the exam board released 2 technical exercises to be completed for submission. In total, the 2 pieces (composition and Bach chorales) must total 6 minutes in length. In both cases, both a score and a recording (which may be computer-generated) must be submitted. 3. Appraising – 40% of A Level - This unit takes in the skills of listening and analysis. Students study 13 set works which cover the same areas of study as composition. At the end of the course, there is a 2-hour examination during which students answer both listening and essay questions based on these 13 set works. Students are also asked one question of an unfamiliar piece of music.