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.