Examination Board: Edexcel
This specification is designed to allow students to study music in an integrated way with the opportunity to specialise at Advanced GCE. It allows students to study music as a practical intellectual and creative subject with specialist pathways in performing and composing. It is designed to have the rigour of Advanced GCE in terms of the breadth, depth and scope of the content as well as in the challenges posed in the assessment tasks. The Areas of Study cover a wide range of music: classical, world, popular and jazz. Each area is seen within a broader cultural and historical context.
Specific Requirements
Students should be at least Grade V standard on their chosen instrument. It is not always necessary to have done GCSE music, although it is helpful.
Course Content & Assessment
AS Units
Unit 1: Performing
Perform one or more solo pieces lasting 5-6 minutes.
Perform during the course (four occasions, which must include the performance of one of the student’s own compositions.)
Unit 2: Developing musical ideas
Produce a portfolio of composition techniques exercises and a composition
Unit 3: Listening and Understanding
Part 1: 45 minute listening paper.
Part 2: Respond to structured questions 1h30mins
Assessment at AS
Unit 1
7.5% Externally assessed performance
7.5% Internally assessed coursework
Unit 2
15% Externally assessed coursework
Unit 3
20% Externally assessed
Listening test and written paper
A2
Unit 4 Specialist Options
Either
PATHWAY A Composition Portfolio (15% coursework)
Or PATHWAY B Recital 15%
Unit 5: Performing and Composing
Compositional techniques examination (7.5 %)
Performing during the course. This must include at least one solo and one ensemble item (7.5 %)
Unit 6 Analysing Music
Part 1: Complete a listening test in 45 minutes 7½ % (A)
Part 2: Answer five questions based on the extended Area of Study and the new Area of Study in 2 hours. 12½ % (A)
Assessment at A2
Unit 4
15% Externally assessed coursework
Or 15% Externally assessed practical
Unit 5:
7½ % Externally assessed examination
And 7½ % Internally assessed coursework
Unit 6
20% Externally assessed listening test and written paper
Extra-Curriculum Activities
Outings will be arranged to concerts and any workshops that may be useful.
Costs
Students will be required to buy one textbook (The Anthology of Music) which contains the various set works to be studied in Unit 3, £26
