Music
The Music Department follows the AQA AS/A2 Level Specification. It is hoped that through developing you composition and performance skills alongside acquiring research and analytical skills you will develop a lifelong interest and enjoyment in listening to and making music.
The AS examination consists of three units.
Unit 1: Influences on Music (30%)
Students will acquire, explore and apply musical language and context to the following two Areas of Study: The Western Classical Tradition where students study at great depth and analyse two movements from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 and write an essay in response and Music Theatre. Again an essay is required in the exam based on the study of the Musical between 1940 and 1980. There will also be structured listening questions where musical understanding through the listening of extracts using key vocabulary is required.
Unit 2: Compositional Techniques (30%)
Here students demonstrate their ability to create and develop musical ideas making creative use of musical devices, conventions and resources. Within 20 hours of Controlled Assessment, students will harmonise a 16 bar diatonic melody and in a second task, create two melodic instrumental parts over 24 bars of keyboard accompaniment.
Unit 3: Interpreting Musical Ideas (40%)
Students offer two performance categories from the following: instrumental solo, vocal solo, second instrument solo, ensemble performance. Each performance should last between 5 – 8 minutes.
The A2 examination consists of three units.
Unit 4: Music in Context (20% of A Level)
Similar to Unit 1 but now studying The Western Classical Tradition and English Choral Music in the 20th Century along with structured listening questions. The Set work to be studied will be Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony.
Unit 5: Compositional Techniques (15% of A Level)
Students will complete a harmonisation of a Bach Chorale melody and complete part of a String Quartet movement within 20 hours of Controlled Assessment.
Unit 6: A Musical Performance (15% of A Level)
Students will offer two or more contrasting pieces to form a 10 – 15 minute programme displaying a variety of style, technique, period and approach.
Both the AS and A2 courses build on and assess the students’ skills in listening, analysis, composing and performing through written, oral and practical responses. Students should have obtained at least a grade B at GCSE prior to commencing the course.