Examining Board - AQA
Subject Content
This new course caters for a broad range of student abilities and desires. As you might expect, you will be developing new skills, exploring new musical concepts and covering many new topics in a short space of time and in great depth. In addition to your practical capabilities, aspects such as music history and analysis, musical influences, aural perception, music technology, harmony and counterpoint, creating and interpreting musical ideas, research, score reading and appraisal skills will all be prominent and fascinating features of your learning.
Methods of Study
Small groups naturally lead to greater personal attention, interaction, discussions and demonstrations in lessons. Indeed, it is often very necessary to involve musical experts solely on a one-to-one basis and this may be your class teacher, instrumental tutor or another music student in the group; each can play an important role in helping you to prepare for your exams. Because every musician has strengths and weakness, we have always fostered this spirit of mutual support at Rainford as a means to success. The Music Department’s aim is to meet whatever personal musical needs emerge as you progress through the course.
Methods of Assessment
AS Level
UNIT 1: MUSC1: Written Examination: Influences on Music
- 13/4 hours 80 marks 30% of the total AS marks (15% of the total A Level marks)
- Candidates are given structured questions using a CD of musical excerpts.
- Candidates then answer two essay questions, one question from a choice of two based on the set work from the compulsory AoS and one question from a choice of two based on a second AoS
UNIT 2: MUSC2: Composing: Creating Musical Ideas (Externally Assessed)
- Coursework 60 marks 30% of the total AS Marks (15% of the total A-level marks)
- Candidates respond to one brief from a choice of three.
- Briefs will be released to candidates on 1 November in the examination year.
UNIT 3: MUSC3: Performing: Interpreting Musical Ideas (Internally Assessed)
- 10 – 16 minutes 80 marks 40% of the total AS marks (20% of the total A-level marks)
- Candidates offer two performances (each 5-8 minutes) from a choice of six, including opportunities for using music technology.
A2 Level
UNIT 4: MUSC4: Written Examination: Music in Context (Externally Assessed)
- 21/4 hours 100 marks 20% of the total A-level marks
- Candidates are given structured questions using a CD of experts.
- Candidates then answer two essay questions, one question from a choice of two based on the set works from the compulsory AoS and one question from a choice of two based on a new AoS.
UNIT 5 MUSC5: Composing: Developing Musical Ideas (Externally Assessed)
- Coursework 60 marks 15% of the total A-level marks
- Candidates respond to one brief from a choice of three.
- Briefs will be released to candidates on 1 November in the examination year.
UNIT 6 MUSC6: Performing: A Musical Performance (Externally Assessed)
- 15 minutes 60 marks 15% of the total A-level marks
- Candidates will offer two (or more) contrasting pieces to form a short programme, as a soloist or using music technology or a combination of these.
Entry Requirements
Students do not necessarily have to have completed a GCSE course. If you have, the higher grades are naturally preferred and tend to signal an acceptable blend of musicianship and academic ability. However, we also regularly accept students who have passed external Graded Examinations (Associated Board, Guildhall, Trinity, etc.) in Performance and/or Theory.
In such cases, Grade 5 (or higher) is usually the accepted standard but some talented students have acquired a level of musicianship without sitting any formal examinations, especially in the fields of jazz, ethnic music or varieties of pop/rock.
If this describes you, an interview will be required to assess your suitability and potential for the course. In all cases, it is essential that candidates are thoroughly familiar with standard notation and expression marks..