A Level Music

The department follows the AS / AL level WJEC courses. These allow all interested students the opportunity to pursue their interests in greater depth as they continue to work in the three areas of performing, composing, appraising.

 

Overview of the Specification

This specification is divided into a total of 6 units, 3 AS units and 3 A2 units. Weightings noted below

are expressed in terms of the full A Level qualification.

 

AS (3 units)

MU1 Performing (AO1)

15 % External Assessment

Solo and/or ensemble performance

  • Performance should last between 8 and 10 minutes
  • One piece should reflect a chosen area of study
  • Assessed by visiting examiner

MU2 Composing (AO2)

15% Internal Assessment

Two contrasting compositions

  • Compositions should last between 4 and 8 minutes
  • One composition demonstrating the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition
  • One free composition
  • Teacher assessed and externally moderated

MU3 Appraising (AO3)

20% External Assessment

One listening examination in two parts

  • Part 1: (12%):1 hour appraising test based on extracts of music (set works) taken from the two Areas of Study selected for study [Orchestral Music / Jazz, Rock and Pop]
  • Part 2: (8%): 1 hour aural perception (melodic dictation, keys, chords, cadences) based on unprepared musical extracts

A LEVEL (the above plus the following 3 units - 2 units at 15% and 1 at 20%)

Either MU4(A) Performing (AO1)

15 % External Assessment

Solo and/or ensemble performance

  • Performance should last between 10 and 12 minutes
  • One piece should reflect the new area of study (Music in the 20th and 21st centuries)
  • Assessed by visiting examiner

Or MU4(B) Performing (AO1)

20 % External Assessment

Solo and/or ensemble performance

  • Performance should last between 16 and 18 minutes
  • One piece should reflect the new area of study (Music in the 20th and 21st centuries)
  • One piece to reflect a further area of study
  • Assessed by visiting examiner

Either MU5(A) Composing (AO2)

15% Internal Assessment

Two contrasting compositions

  • Compositions should last between 6 and 10 minutes
  • One composition demonstrating the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical

Tradition (area of study continued from AS)

  • One composition reflecting the new area of study (Music in the 20th and 21st centuries)
  • Teacher assessed and externally marked

Or MU5(B) Composing (AO2)

20% Internal Assessment

Three contrasting compositions

  • Compositions should last between 12 and 18 minutes
  • A composition demonstrating the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition
  • One composition reflecting the new area of study (Music in the 20th and 21st centuries)
  • One free, innovative composition
  • Teacher assessed and externally marked

Ei ther MU6(A) Appraising (AO3)

15% External Assessment

One written examination in two parts (2 ¼ hours)

  • Part 1: (6%) : ¾ hour listening examination based on extracts of unfamiliar 20th / 21st century music (new area of study)
  • Part 2 : (9%): 1½ hour listening / written examination requiring candidates to analyse a set work [Shostakovich String Quartet] and place the work within a broader musical perspective

Or MU6(B) Appraising (AO3)

20% External Assessment

One written examination in three parts (3 hours)

  • Part 1: (6%) : ¾ hour listening examination based on extracts of unfamiliar 20th / 21st century music (new area of study)
  • Part 2 : (9%): 1½ hour listening / written examination requiring candidates to analyse a set work and place the work within a broader musical perspective
  • Part 3 : (5%): ¾ hour written examination requiring candidates to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the overall musical style and output of one of the set work composers.

 

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