AQA

Introduction

This course provides you with the means to take forward a broad musical background. You will acquire a deeper musical understanding and a more refined musical language, and will be able to demonstrate more advanced skills in listening, appraising, analysis, composing, performing and musicological investigation. Each module provides sufficient flexibility for you to work to your individual strengths.

You will have the opportunity to develop your performance skills and to extend your knowledge and understanding of musical history, style and theory. Although clearly defined as separate units, the skills you will develop are interrelated and will be used throughout the course. This is reflected in the nature of the teaching structure where compositional skills, for example, may be developed through the study of certain genres and set works and also through the study of harmony and counterpoint.

Coursework also gives students the ability to work with, and develop their knowledge and understanding of Music Technology. Composition and Performing draws on a
wide range of styles and genres and gives you a chance to explore your own musical interests.

Course Details

AS Unit 1: MUSC 1 Written examination: ‘Influences on 

                  Music'

                  Candidates will acquire, explore and apply

                  musical language and context through the study

                  of two of the following Areas of Study:

                  Area of study 1: ‘The Western Classical

                  Tradition’(compulsory)

                  Area of study 2a ‘Choral Music in the Baroque

                  Period’
                  Area of Study 2b ‘Music Theatre: a study of the

                  Musical from 1940-1980’
                  Area of Study 2c ‘British Popular Music from 

                  1960 – present day’
                  The written paper will consist of two sections:
                  Section A: Listening
                  Section B: Historical Study based on questions  

                  arising from the compulsory and chosen areas of

                  study.
      Unit 2: MUSC 2 Composing: ‘Creating Musical Ideas’

                  Coursework module consisting of a

                  composition or compositions selected from one

                  of three possible briefs:
                  Brief A: Compositional Techniques
                  Brief B: Free composition or pastiche in

                  response to a given genre

                  Brief C: Arranging
                  The briefs will be released on 1st November in

                  the examination year. Candidates will be offered

                  a maximum of 20 hours, supervised in school, in

                  which to complete their compositions.

      Unit 3: MUSC 3 ‘Performing: ‘Interpreting Musical 

                  Ideas’
                 Coursework module requiring two performances

                 chosen from the following list:

                 a) a solo performance on an instrument

                 b) a solo performance on voice
                 c) a solo performance on a second instrument

                 d) an ensemble performance
                 e) a technology-based performance 1 –

                 sequencing
                 f) a technology-based performance 2 – multi-

                 track/close microphone recording

                 Each performance should last 5-8 minutes

A2 Unit 4: MUSC 4 Written examination: ‘Music in

                  Context’

                  Candidates will acquire, explore and apply

                  musical language and context through the study

                  of two of the following Areas of Study;

                  Area of Study 1: ‘The Western Classical

                  Tradition’

                  (compulsory)

                  Area of Study 3a:’English Choral Music in the

                  20th century’

                  Area of Study 3b: ‘Chamber Music from

                  Mendelssohn to Debussy’

                  Area of Study 3c: Four decades of Jazz and

                  Blues 1910-1950’

                  The paper will consist of two sections:

                  Section A: Listening

                  Section B: Historical Study based on questions

                  arising from the study of the compulsory and

                  chosen areas of study.

      Unit 5: MUSC 5: Composing: ‘Developing Musical

                  Ideas’

                  Coursework module consisting of a composition

                  or compositions selected from one of three

                  possible briefs:

                  Brief A: Compositional techniques

                  Brief B: Free Composition or pastiche in

                  response to a chosen brief

                  Brief C: Arranging

                  The briefs will be released on 1st November in

                  the examination year. Candidates will be             offered 

                  a maximum of 20 hours, supervised in school, in

                  which to complete their compositions.
      Unit 6: MUSC 6: Performing: ‘A Musical Performance’

                  Coursework module requiring the performance

                  of two or more contrasting pieces for either 

                  acoustic and/or performance via music

                  technology chosen from either:

                  a) solo acoustic performances

                  b) technology-based performances

                  c) one solo performance and 

                  technology-based performance each

                  performance to be at least 5 minutes

                  The programme will last 10-15 minutes

Subject specific GCSE requirements

You are not required to have formal qualifications such as GCSE before commencing the course. However, a broad musical understanding and the ability to develop the skills appropriate to AS and A2 certification will be required. Prospective candidates may, therefore, be interviewed by the Head of Music in order to ascertain their suitability for the AS and A2 courses. Ideally, candidates who are intending to take the acoustic performance options should have achieved at least a grade 4 or equivalent standard on any instrument or voice.