AS

Course Outline

Weighting

 AS         AL

Practical Work

1.

Sequencing or Recording

Students will learn the skills required to produce accomplished musical performances in a range of musical styles using sequencing software.

OR

Students will learn the skills required to make high quality recordings of a range of musical styles and performances.

40%

20%

2.

Arranging and Improvising using Technology

Students will be required to use Technology (MIDI Sequencers or Recording Techniques) to make an arrangement of two short pieces of music, one of which must be related to the area of study: Popular Music and Jazz, which forms the basis of the Listening and Analysing component.

30%

15%

Written Work

1.

Listening and Analysing

Students will be required to demonstrate their ability to listen to unfamiliar music related to The Development of Music Technology and Popular Music and Jazz, and to analyse musical, technical and stylistic features, as well as consider the impact that Music Technology has had on music listened to.

30%

15%

AL

Course Outline

AL weighting

Practical Work

1.

Sequencing, Recording and Producing

The practical aspects of MIDI sequencing and recording studied for AS are extended and integrated in this part of the qualification. Students will build on the skills learnt in the AS unit and apply them to the recording and production of two pieces of music from any genre (eg popular music, jazz, world music or classical).

15%

2.

Composing using Technology

The second part of the practical work in the Advanced GCE enables students to use computer software and/or multi-track recording to produce two compositions lasting 5-6 minutes in total, that feature either Music for the moving Image or Words and Music.

15%

Written Work

Listening and Analysing

This unit involves synoptic tasks that test the knowledge, skills and understanding developed across the whole course.

20%

AS

Course Outline

Weighting

     AS             A2

Performing

During the course, students will take part in both solo and ensemble performances as well as take part in the performance of one of their own compositions.

30%

15%

Developing Musical Ideas

In this unit students develop musical ideas in the form of original compositions and compositional technique exercises.

30%

15%

Listening and Understanding

For part 1 of this unit, students will sit a 45 minute Listening Test, responding to questions on timbre, texture, comparison of performances, aural recognition and perception of tonality and harmony.

In part 2, students will answer structured questions based upon their chosen Areas of Study.

40%

20%

A2

Course Outline

A2

weighting

Specialist Option

Either: Composition

or

Recital

Students will produce two compositions from a given list of genres.

Together the two works must last at least six minutes.

Or

Students will present a recital lasting at least 20 minutes, on one or more instruments.

15%

Performing and composing

Students will take part in a range of solo and ensemble performance activities during the course. Four of these performances will be submitted for assessment.

Students will extend their knowledge of one compositional technique and will be assessed by completing a commissioned exercise.

15%

Analysing Music

This unit involves synoptic tasks that test the knowledge, skills and understanding developed across the whole qualification.

There is a Listening Test of Aural Perception and a Written Examination featuring questions based upon the chosen Areas of Study.

20%