CURRICULUM OUTLINE
Boys will follow the Edexcel Music course for AS and A2. This board was chosen specifically because it follows on well from the Edexcel GCSE Music course and the composing and performing elements are very similar to that completed at GCSE.
AS Level (first year):
In Unit 1 students will have to perform a solo or ensemble piece(s) that totals 5 minutes, this is internally assessed. In Unit 2 boys have to compose their own piece of music that totals 3 minutes and includes a composition brief (externally assessed). In unit 3 boys will be able to develop their listening and analysis skills by studying set works from an anthology. This unit focuses on listening to familiar music and understanding how it works. Students will also develop harmony and aural skills during this unit. (There will be a 2-hour exam on this unit which will be externally assessed.)
A2 Level (second year):
Students will extend their performance skills in Unit 4 by preparing for a 15-minute recital that will be internally assessed. They can choose to play in any style and perform solo or as part of an ensemble. In Unit 5, studentss have to complete either one composition and one technical study or two compositions or two technical studies, depending on their strengths and weaknesses. Unit 6 focuses on students’ further musical understanding and again, boys will be assessed with a 2-hour external exam that is based on general musical understanding (harmony / tonality), set works from the anthology, and contextualising music.
COURSEWORK
Coursework accounts for 60% of the final A-Level mark. Students will complete 30% of their coursework at AS Level and 30% at A2. The coursework is split into four units (as outlined above): Performance; Composition; Extended performance; composition and technical study.
ASSESSMENT
Students will have a 2-hour listening and appraising exam at AS and A2 (4 hours in total.) Each exam accounts for 20%, totalling 40% of their overall mark. The exams, as mentioned above, are based on listening skills and will include some aural dictation, harmony and counterpoint exercises as well as essay-type questions.
HOMEWORK AND INSTRUMENTAL PRACTICE
Students will be given various harmony/listening homework’s virtually every week. In addition to this, they will be expected to do some further reading and/or listening depending what topic we are covering at the time. In addition to written homework tasks studentss should practice on their main instrument for several hours a week (a recommendation would be 4-5 hours minimum per week). Classroom time is largely devoted to coursework and listening skills so it is important that boys practice regularly and independently at home.
DIFFERENTIATION
As always with music courses, students have 3 main areas to work on: Composition; performance; and listening/appraising. This gives students the perfect opportunity to build on their own area of strength. Performance standard should be ABRSM Grade 5 (or equivalent), more able students obviously have the opportunity to perform at a higher level. It is strongly recommended that students have music GCSE as the AS course follows on directly from that and this will be essential to boys in terms of composition and listening skills.. Students have to use an anthology and therefore need a good understanding of musical notation. This means that students must be aware of more challenging concepts in Music and are comfortable with basic music theory so that they have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding to a greater degree through musical analysis.