Music

Assessment

Music A Level is assessed via coursework and a final examination. The coursework consists of performance (30 per cent) and composition (30 per cent). You will have to design and perform your eight-minute recital, combining or choosing solo, ensemble, improvising or music technology performances. You will also complete two compositions, one free or set brief and a theoretical-based technical composition. The examination is two hours long and will be worth 40 per cent of the qualification. It will include a listening and appraisal section, asking students to identify musical features from the set works as well as being asked to transcribe a short passage of music. Students will also be required to write two essays: analysing one of the set works, the other asking students to draw links from their study of the set works to the music heard in an unfamiliar extract.