Course Content

Component 1 – Appraising Music

  • Listening
  • Analysis
  • Contextual understanding

How is it assessed – Exam paper with listening and written questions using excerpts of music.

Section A: Listening (56 marks)

Section B: Analysis (34 marks)

Section C: Essay (30 marks)

Component 2 – Music Performance

How is it assessed – solo and/or ensemble performing as an instrumentalist, or vocalist and/or music production (via technology)

A minimum of ten minutes (no more than twelve minutes) of performance is required

Component 3 – Composition

How is it assessed – Composition 1: Composition to a brief (25 marks), Composition 2: Free composition (25 marks)

A minimum of four and a half minutes (no more than six minutes) of music is required

Assessment Pattern

Component 1 – Appraising Music

Listening

Analysis

Contextual understanding

How is it assessed – Exam paper with listening and written questions using excerpts of music.

Section A: Listening (56 marks)

Section B: Analysis (34 marks)

Section C: Essay (30 marks)

This component is 40% of A level marks (120 marks in total)

Component 2 – Music Performance

How is it assessed – solo and/or ensemble performing as an instrumentalist, or vocalist and/or music production (via technology).

A minimum of ten minutes (no more than twelve minutes) of performance is required

This component is 35% of A level marks, 50 marks in total, externally assessed

Component 3 – Composition

How is it assessed – Composition 1: Composition to a brief (25 marks), Composition 2: Free composition (25 marks)

A minimum of four and a half minutes (no more than six minutes) of music is required

This component is worth 25% of A level marks, 50 marks in total), externally assessed

Extra Information

This course encourages students to develop particular strengths and interests and extend the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to communicate through music, and provides access to music – related careers.