Why choose A-Level Music?

The new Edexcel Advanced GCE Music course — simple in design but comprehensive — is intended to be stimulating and enriching for students and teachers alike.

At both Advanced Subsidiary Levels (AS) and A2, students experience all 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 .

The full GCE course (AS plus A2) 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.

Course Outline

UNITS

AS

UNIT 1 – PERFORMING MUSIC ASSESSED INTERNALLY

5 – 6 MINUTES as a soloist and/or part of an ensemble -any instrument/any voice.

30% (AS), 15% (full A level)

UNIT 2 – COMPOSING ASSESSED EXTERNALLY

Create a 3 minute composition in response to a choice of briefs provided by the exam board.

Write a CD programme note describing aspects of the composition and the influences of other music on it.

30% (AS), 15% (full A level) 

UNIT 3 – DEVELOPING MUSICAL UNDERSTANDING ASSESSED EXTERNALLY

Listening to familiar music and understanding how it works.

Section A – Listening – extracts of music played and answer questions about features heard.
Section B – Investigating Musical Styles

Both these sections require study of works from an Anthology

Section C – Understanding Chords and Lines – identifying harmonic and tonal features, and then applying knowledge to completion of a short score for SATB

Use of a keyboard is allowed 

ASSESSMENT - 2 hour examination

40% (AS), 20% (full A level)

A2

UNIT 4 – EXTENDED PERFORMANCE ASSESSED INTERNALLY

12 – 15 minutes of a balanced programme of music as a soloist and/or as part of an ensemble

30% (A2), 15% (full A level) 

UNIT 5 – COMPOSITION AND TECHNICAL STUDY ASSESSED EXTERNALLY

SECTION 1 – COMPOSITION
Create a 3 minute composition in response to a choice of briefs provided by the exam board.

SECTION 2 – TECHNICAL STUDY
Builds on the knowledge and awareness of harmony gained in Unit 3 section C through the medium of pastiche studies.

• students complete 2 tasks set by the exam board

• either 1 composition + 1 technical study

• or 2 compositions

• or 2 technical studies

30% (A2), 15% (full A level) 

UNIT 6 – FURTHER MUSICAL UNDERSTANDING ASSESSED EXTERNALLY

Listening to music, both familiar and unfamiliar, and understanding how it works.

Set works from the anthology provide the focus for much of this unit.

Section A – Aural analysis
Section B – Music in Context
Section C – Continuity and change in instrumental music. 

40% (A2), 20% (full A level)

Resources and facilities

Full EDEXCEL specification
http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/VirtualContent/103296/GCE2008_Music_Spec.pdf

Recommended Websites
http://www.themusicland.co.uk

Books

• Edited by J Winterson - The New Anthology of Music (Peters, 2000) (used for the Listening, aural & analysis elements of the course)
• Benham H - A Student's Guide to Harmony and Counterpoint (Rhinegold, 2006)
• Benham H and Wightman A - Listening Tests for Students: Edexcel
• A2 Music Specification, Book 1 (Rhinegold, 2005)
• Benham H and Wightman A - Listening Tests for Students: Edexcel
• A2 Music Specification, Book 2 (Rhinegold, 2005)
• Bowman D - Rhinegold Dictionary of Music in Sound (Rhinegold, 2000)
• Cole B - The Composer's Handbook (Schott, 1996)
• Cole B - The Pop Composer's Handbook (Schott, 2006)

Careers and progression

This qualification supports progression into further education, training or employment, such as a degree in music or vocational courses such as a BTEC HND or HNC in Music.

Past students' progress:

• Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Royal Academy of Music, London College of Music, Lancaster University, Huddersfield University, Welsh College of Music & Drama, Exeter University, Anglia University, Roehampton University, Brunel University, Trinity College of Music, Kneller Hall - Armed Forces Band
• Sub-principal Cellist in Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, freelance professional trumpeter, Arts Administration, Music Education Administration, School teaching, instrumental teaching, Royal Anglian Army Band, Royal Dragoon Band.

Entry requirements

Students who would benefit most from studying a GCE in Music are likely to have a Level 2 qualification such as a GCSE in Music at grades A*- B

or a BTEC First Certificate or First Diploma in Music (Merit).

Students should be aware that performing skills need to be at the standard of Grade 5 for AS level, and Grade 6 for A2 at the time of assessment.

Edexcel Difficulty Level of Music Book:- http://www.edexcel.org.uk/VirtualContent/48890/web_version.pdf

Course Results

100% pass rate at Samuel Ward since 1987, the most recent in 2006 - 5 students passed AS Music Grades B - D having taken the subject as a fast track twilight course with their GCSEs in Year 11.

Enquiries

Miss J Wright – Head of Music

jwright@samuelward.suffolk.sch.uk