A Level Music Exam Info

Welcome to the Music Revision Page AQA A-level Music (7272) Units Component 1 – Performing (35%): In this component you will develop your performance skills and give a public performance of one or more pieces, performed as a recital. Performance can be playing or singing solo, in an ensemble, improvising, or realising music using music technology. The total performance time across all pieces must be a minimum of 10 minutes. The assessment will take place in the second year after March 1st and sent for external moderation by May 15th.

Component 2 – Composition (25%): In this component, you will compose two compositions, one to a brief set by AQA and one free composition. This composition must be at least 4 minutes in duration. One composition must be from a list of briefs assessing compositional technique, carrying 20 marks for this component. These compositions must total a combined minim length of four and a half minutes.

Component 3 – Appraising (40%): Students will develop knowledge and understanding of musical elements, contexts and language. The exam will be broken into these three areas: • Section A: Listening (56 marks) • Section B: Analysis (34 marks) • Section C: Essay (30 marks) They will then need to apply the knowledge through the context of three areas of study, each picking a variety of examples: • Western classical tradition 1650 – 1910 (compulsory) • Pop music • Jazz music There are three strands of music represented that cover three key genres: • Baroque: the solo concerto • Classical: the operas of Mozart • Romantic: the piano music of Chopin, Brahms and Grieg.

Students must be able to listen attentively to unfamiliar music from each of the three strands to identify and accurately describe musical elements and use musical language.

How will I be assessed?

Assessments are all externally assessed but it is important to note that coursework (Performance and Composition) have a 60% weighting and the examination therefore has a 40% weighting.