Assessment

AS Units

Unit 1: performing music
Perform either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble for a mini-recital lasting no less than 5-6 minutes.
Internally assessed and externally moderated. 30% of the AS course.

Unit 2: composing
Compose a 3 minute piece in response to a given brief (chosen from a selection of briefs by the student) and write an accompanying CD-booklet style commentary.
All externally assessed. 30% of the AS course.

Unit 3: Developing Musical Understanding
This unit is in 3 parts in a 2 hour written paper: Listening, Investigating musical styles, Understanding chords and lines. The Unit is based around set pieces of music covering both instrumental and vocal music from a variety of genres.
Externally assessed. 40% of the AS course.

A2 Units

Unit 4: extended performance
Students extend their performance skills as either soloist or as a performer in an ensemble to record a 12-15 minute recital.
Internally assessed and externally moderated. 30% of the A2 course.

Unit 5: composition and technical study
Choose a combination of composition and technical study tasks to build a portfolio of work demonstrating a developed understanding of a variety of styles.
Externally assessed. 30% of the A2 course.

Unit 6: further musical understanding
This unit is assessed through a 2 hour written paper: section A: aural analysis, section B: music in context, section C: continuity and change in instrumental music.
This Unit focuses on listening to music, familiar and unfamiliar, and understanding how it works.

Externally assessed. 40% of the A2 course.