Music

Assessment

A Level of Music is split into three components: Performing, Composing, and Listening & Appraising. It is essential that students can already play a musical instrument and have a keen interest in creating and listening to different styles of music to appreciate how they are written and performed. During both years of the course, students must put together a recital program which can be solo or ensemble based or a combination of both. The performing component is externally assessed but performance and recorded in school. Students are free to choose their performance material and genres. The Composing component is externally assessed and students must produce two compositions over the 2 years, a free composition and one set to a brief. Listening and Appraising 40%: The areas of study provide an appropriate focus for you to appraise, develop, and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of musical elements, musical contexts, and musical language: Area of Study 1: Western classical tradition 1650–1910 (compulsory). Baroque: the solo concerto Classical: the operas of Mozart Romantic: the piano music of Chopin, Brahms, and Grieg. Area of Study 2: Pop music. Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Muse, Beyoncé, Daft Punk, Labrinth. Area of Study 3: Music for Media. Bernard Herrmann, Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, Thomas Newman, Nobuo Uematsu. Performing 35%: You must be able to perform music using one or both of the following ways: Instrumental/vocal: as a soloist, and/or as part of an ensemble. Production: via music technology. You must perform a repertoire that lasts for a minimum of ten minutes. Composing 25%: You will compose two pieces. One must be in response to an externally set brief (Composition 1). Production: via music technology. You must perform a repertoire that lasts for a minimum of ten minutes.