MUSIC Requirements It is useful to have taken GCSE Music, but this is not essential as long as the student can play a musical instrument to a Grade 7/8 standard by the end of Year 13, reads music fluently and has passed or is studying for Grade 5 theory. This course offers students the opportunity to develop further their performing, composing and listening/ appraising skills. Students will encounter a wide range of music but, in their own performing and composing, there is a considerable amount of freedom in choosing the style, genre or repertoire. Many subjects combine well with music, from a wide range of humanities and languages as well as mathematics and science. A qualification in Music could lead to higher education and employment possibilities including the music industry, teaching and other related careers and is well-respected by high-ranking universities. In addition to developing musical skills to a high level of ability, the course offers the opportunity to gain valuable experience of communication, leadership, negotiation, team building and decision-making.
A Level Music – Edexcel There are three units at A Level: Component 1 (9MU0/01): Performing – 30 % of the total mark This consists of a recital (minimum 8 minutes), either solo and/or ensemble, recorded as a live, unedited, uninterrupted performance in front of an audience of at least two people, between 1 March and 15 May of Year 13. The holistic recital mark is scaled according to the difficulty of the pieces – ‘Standard Difficulty’ is Grade 7, ‘More Difficult’ is Grade 8+. (60 marks) Component 2 (9MU0/02): Composing – 30% of the total mark Students are required to submit two compositions, with a combined duration of at least 6 minutes: n
Composition 1: a free choice composition lasting a minimum of 4 minutes, either chosen from six briefs relating to the areas of study (briefs released 1 September of Year 13) or an entirely free composition. (40 marks)
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Composition 2: a composition lasting a minimum of 1 minute created from a brief assessing a chosen technique – 1) Bach chorale, 2) Two-part counterpoint, 3) Arrangement, 4) Remix (briefs released 1 April of Year 13). Guided maximum allowed time of 6 hours includes development of composition, final write-up and recording of composition. (20 marks)
Component 3 (9MU0/03): Appraising – 40% of the total mark This consists of an examination at the end of Year 13, based on 6 Areas of Study with 3 set works in each: n
Vocal Music;
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Popular Music and Jazz;
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Instrumental Music;
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Fusions;
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Music for Film;
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New Directions.
Students will also be required to study a range of ‘Wider Listening’ pieces beyond these set works. The examination lasts for 2 hours and carries a total of 100 marks. It includes multiple-choice, short, open and extended writing questions and is divided into two sections: n
Section A: 50 marks, four questions – three questions based on extracts from the set works and one question on dictation from an unfamiliar work (related to set work, hence the importance of undertaking ‘Wider Listening’ throughout the two years of the course).
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Section B: one essay question on an unfamiliar piece of music and one essay chosen from three optional questions on a set work.
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