Music A Level
Exam board: Edexcel. This course comprises six units of work done over two years. Students just wishing to gain the AS qualification will complete three units in the first year.
This newly designed course by Edexcel will provide students with experience of the three main musical disciplines of performing, composing and listening and understanding.
Students will develop performance skills (solo and/or ensemble), compose music and learn about harmony (the basics at AS and stylistic studies at A2). They will build up their aural and analytical skills by studying selections from the New Anthology of Music and wider listening.
What are the entry requirements?
You don’t have to have studied this course at GCSE to do AS Level. It is important that you are receiving tuition on your chosen instrument or voice. AS performance requirements are equivalent to grades 5. It is also important that you can cope with the notation demands. We would recommend that before starting the course you work on some music theory. We do provide a theory catch up course after school for those students in need of help. If you are in any doubt please contact music staff.
How will I be assessed?
Unit 1 - Performing Music A five/six minute assessed performance on any instrument. 30% of the AS
Unit 2 - Composing students compose a three minute piece in response to a chosen brief. Students also write a CD sleeve note to describe aspects of their final composition and explain how other pieces of music have influenced it.
Unit 3 - Developing Musical Understanding Assessment is through a two hour paper in three sections. Section A requires students to listen to extracts of music and answer questions. Section B examines your understanding of musical styles. In section C students use a score to identify harmonic and tonal features and then apply this knowledge in the completion of a short and simple passage for SATB.
Future opportunities
The full GCE course is excellent preparation for higher education courses in music, but is equally valuable for non-specialists as a second or third area of study. The AS units alone can offer a broad and satisfying experience for those who want to conclude their musical studies at this point.
Is there anything I need to know?
This course combines well with any other AS level course. For those students who enjoy music but don’t want to study it beyond A level it provides a balance between written and practical assessment and will enhance your enjoyment of music for the future.
