Music

Assessment

Each year, the study is divided into three areas: performing; composition; and listening, analysis and historical study. • Performing You will do most of your practice at home, supplemented with individual instrumental teachers. Workshop-style performance lessons allow you to experiment with approaches to performance and gain feedback from your teachers and peers. You will also be supported in your preparation for the performance exam. Practice performances take place over the two years, and you are expected to perform in the solo platform concerts every term. Your performance is examined in a final recital of at least 10 minutes. Pupils should perform pieces of at least grade 8 standard. Performances are through one of the following, or a combination: Instrumental or vocal solo and/or in an ensemble; production via technology. • Composition We begin with a thorough grounding in harmonic understanding and exploration of compositional techniques and styles from across the Western Classical tradition, ranging from Bach Chorale harmonisation and two-part counterpoint to minimalist and expressionist techniques. Specific composition work is then tackled. Each pupil must compose two pieces – one composition must be in response to an externally set brief and the other composition must be freely composed by the pupil in any style. Briefs may include different stimuli such as poetry or a piece of text; photographs, images, or film. Together, the composition coursework must last a combined minimum time of four and a half minutes. Compositions can be written on traditional notation software such as Sibelius or can be produced on music technology software such as Logic. • Listening, analysis and historical study Our course is based on an in-depth study of different historical periods, starting with Baroque, Classical and Romantic, with the option of extending the field of study in Year 13, exploring either Art Music since 1910 or Pop Music. Pupils also study Music for Media in Year 12. As well as studying the broad characteristics of a historical period, there is also the opportunity for you to study set works in greater analytical detail. Pupils have dedicated lessons for exploring more general musical matters where they learn to form connections between different areas of the course. Open and synoptic essay questions allow clarity of argument and quality of language to be developed. Listening and analysis are assessed in one exam which is split into three sections: short answer listening questions where pupils will be assessed on their ability to analyse and evaluate the music heard in the exam; extended written analysis questions; and one essay where pupils will be assessed on their critical understanding across the genres, styles and traditions studied and their ability to show sophisticated connections between the music and its context. Towards the end of Year 12, you are invited to embark upon an optional personal study. This allows you to choose a form of study that engages your interest and demonstrates your skills, knowledge and understanding. Options include a dissertation, a further recital, or further composition. To support your study, all A-level musicians are expected to attend advanced theory classes once a week and take part in at least one musical ensemble.