Music

Assessment

The WJEC Eduqas specification is designed to allow learners to pursue their own musical interests. Students will develop skills in the three distinct but related disciplines of performing, composing, and appraising, whilst having flexibility to specialise in either performing or composing. Learners may choose to apportion 10% of their assessment to either performing or composing as an in-depth study. Appraising music (40%) - The examination will test students’ listening skills, analysis skills and their contextual understanding of music they have studied. All students will study the development of the symphony, which will include two set works from the Western Classical Tradition, as well as other symphonic examples from 1750 - 1900. Students will also study music from two further areas of study: (i) Musical Theatre; (ii) Into the Twentieth Century (which will include two further set works). Students will be required to listen attentively to unfamiliar music from all the named artists/composers in their selected areas of study to identify and accurately describe musical elements and use musical language (including staff notation). Performance (25% or 35%) - Solo and/or ensemble performing as an instrumentalist or vocalist. A minimum of ten minutes of performance in total is required (no more than twelve minutes). This component is externally assessed by a visiting examiner. Composition (25% or 35%) - Students are required to produce two compositions and the combined submission must total a minimum of four minutes and must not exceed six minutes. Composition 1: Composition to a brief set by the exam board based on the Western Classical tradition. Composition 2: Free composition for which students set their own brief.