Unit 1 (30%) Performing
A solo performance on your first study instrument. This must be at least Grade 5 standard or above. Your performance will last for a duration of 6-8 minutes and will be assessed by a visiting examiner.
Unit 2 (30%) Composing
Two compositions, one to set a brief from the exam board linking to the Western Classical Tradition, one free composition. Your compositions will total 4.5-7 minutes worth of music altogether.
Unit 3 (40%) Appraising
A written examination of 1 hour 30 minutes. You will learn about two different areas of study.
Area of Study A = The Western Classical Tradition, focussing on the development of the symphony from 1750-1830)
Area of Study B = Musical Theatre.
You will have a mixture of questions on set work analysis with a score, extended responses on wider context, unprepared extracts of music with and without a score and comparison questions.
Unit 4 (25%/35%) Performing
At A Level you will have the choice to major or minor in performing or composing. The units will build and develop on the study you have already started in Y12. If you choose to major in performance you will perform for 10-12 minutes, and will be assessed by a visiting examiner. If you choose to do the 25% performing option you will perform for 6-8 minutes. You will need to perform at least two contrasting pieces that are equivalent to at least Grade 6 standard.
Unit 5 (25%/35%) Composing
If you choose to major in composing, you will complete three compositions, that have a total duration of 8-10 minutes. One composition must link to the Western Classical Tradition and will be based on a set brief, one to another area of study, and one will be a free composition. If you choose to minor in composing, you will complete two compositions, that have a total duration of 4-6 minutes. One composition must link to the Western Classical Tradition and will be based on a set brief, and one will be a free composition.
Unit 6 (40%) Appraising
A written examination of 2 hours and 15 minutes. This will incorporate listening, analysis and essay questions on three areas of study; ‘The Development of the Symphony’, ‘Musical Theatre’ and ‘Into the Twentieth Century’.