Music

Assessment

The course is divided into three areas and is assessed through a combination of coursework and written examination. All components of the A Level course are examined at the end of Upper Sixth. Component 1: Appraising music Three areas of study will be covered to prepare for this examination. The sole compulsory area is Western classical music and includes the study of the solo concerto in the Baroque era, the operas of Mozart in the Classical era and the piano music of Chopin, Brahms and Grieg from the Romantic era. The other two areas of study are chosen from the following six options; Pop music, Music for media, Music for theatre, Jazz, Contemporary traditional music or Art music since 1910. This written paper is divided into three sections. For the first section, pupils will develop listening skills in order to answer questions based on unfamiliar works from the same genres as those studied during the course. The second section of the exam assesses analytical skills based on set works studied during the course from the Western classical music Area of Study. A skeleton score of an extract of a set work from each era of study will be provided and questions will be based on the musical features of this work. The third section of the exam requires a written essay response on one of the optional areas of study. Component 2: Performance There are a range of performance options for this section of the course. Pupils are able to choose from one of the following options to record and be assessed; instrumental/vocal solo performance, ensemble performance and music technology production. In total performances must last for at least ten minutes in total and recordings will take place between 1 March and 15 May of the A Level year. Component 3: Composition During the A Level music course pupils are required to compose two musical works. One is in response to an externally set brief and the other is an entirely free composition. The combined duration of both works is a minimum of four and a half minutes. Compositions will be completed using computer software and the musical score and recordings will be sent to the examiner, along with a programme note for each piece.