A-Level Music
Awarding Body |
Course Code |
Head of Department |
|
Edexcel |
9MU0 | Miss Goodall | goodal-c@beaconsfieldhigh.bucks.sch.uk |
A-Level Music at Beaconsfield High School is an exciting and challenging subject. Students are encouraged to explore a variety of genres, from classical, theatre and contemporary to jazz, pop and film.
It is an incredibly diverse course, encompassing a variety of practical and academic approaches to the study of music. The varied nature of the course enables students to develop highly-desirable skills in areas such as self-management, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication; all of which makes them an attractive prospective for potential Universities as well as future employers.
The course would suit students who have a passion for this subject and who enjoy not only performing on their instrument but analysing and composing music. Music complements a range of A-level subjects including Sciences, Languages and English.
In order to achieve the highest grades at Music A-Level, we ask that by the beginning of Year 12 students have successfully passed Grade 5 or 6 on their main instrument and have completed ABRSM Grade 5 theory. Having some piano skills would be hugely beneficial for this course.
Students need to have also achieved a Level 7 or above in GCSE Music.
Students have 8 lessons per fortnight with homework set on a regular basis.
We expect our students to be having weekly instrumental lessons and liaising with their instrumental teacher in Year 13 to put together their recital which accounts for 30% of their final A-Level mark.
Students’ academic lessons are split into the following: two composition lessons per fortnight, two Bach Chorale lessons per fortnight and four Listening & Appraising lessons per fortnight. Each lesson is one hour in length.
Course modules
Module 1 Performing Music
Module 2 Composing
Module 3 Listening & Appraising
How this course is assessed
Module |
Examination |
Coursework |
Assessment Overview |
Performing |
|
30% (60 marks) |
â— A public performance of one or more pieces, performed as a recital. â— Performance can be playing or singing solo, in an ensemble, improvising, or realising music using music technology. â— The total performance time across all pieces must be a minimum of 8 minutes. â— Performances must be recorded after 1 March in the year of certification. |
Composing |
|
30% (60 marks) |
â— Total of two compositions, one to a brief set by Pearson and one either free composition or also to a brief. â— One composition must be from either a list of briefs related to the areas of study, or a free composition, carrying 40 marks for this component. This composition must be at least 4 minutes in duration. â— One composition must be from a list of briefs assessing compositional technique, carrying 20 marks for this component. This composition must be at least 1 minute in duration, unless the brief specifies a longer minimum duration. â— Total time across both submissions must be a minimum of 6 minutes. |
Listening and Appraising |
40% externally assessed |
|
â— Knowledge and understanding of musical elements, contexts and language. â— Application of knowledge through the context of six areas of study, each with three set works. â— Application of knowledge to unfamiliar works. The areas of study are: Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Music for Film, Popular Music and Jazz, Fusion, New Directions. â— One written paper of 2 hours will be taken, with a total of 100 marks. |
Families can help by
- Regularly ensuring that their child is listening to a wide range of music! From Pop, Classical, Musical Theatre to Jazz, Rap and Film- the more varied, the better!
- Making sure that instrumental practice is being done. We expect students to be practicing for at least 1 hour per day on their main instrument
- Ensuring composition work is regularly completed. We recommend that students purchase Sibelius so they can work on their coursework at home. This is not a compulsory purchase, we have several computers in the department that students can use during their free periods
- Encouraging their child to go to concerts in the local area and listening to music that they may not normally listen to