Students will perform as soloists and/or as part of an ensemble. Music from any style can be chosen. Any instrument(s) and/or voice(s) are acceptable as part of an assessed recital performance of at least ten minutes for students specialising in performance, or six minutes for those specialising in composition. Notated and/or improvised performances may be submitted. The standard expected at the end of Year 13 will be equivalent to Grade 7.
Unit 2: Composing Music
Students must complete two or three compositions in this unit. One piece must be written to fit a brief set by the exam board and must be written in either a Baroque, Classical or Romantic style. If students choose to specialise in composition, they must write two more compositions and if they specialise in performance, they need only complete one more piece. There is more flexibility about the styles of these pieces.
Unit 3: Appraising Music
This unit involves the study of set works in six areas: vocal music, instrumental music, music for film, pop and jazz, fusions and ‘new directions’. Students work towards an examination which involves aural perception, melodic and rhythmic dictation, in-depth essays on set works and essays on unfamiliar music related to the areas of study.
How will it be delivered and assessed?
Unit 1: Non-examined assessment (externally assessed) 35% or 25%
Unit 2: Non-examined assessment (externally assessed) 35% or 25%
Unit 3: Written examination (2 hours) 40%
Entry requirements
Students should have achieved at least Grade 6 in GCSE Music.
They also need to be able to read music confidently and to be playing an instrument, or singing, at Grade 5 standard or above in the ABRSM or Trinity syllabuses, whether or not they have taken the examination. There may be exceptions for students who do not have GCSE Music if they have achieved Grade 6 or above in ABRSM or Trinity examinations.
