Advance/Advanced Subsidiary GCE Music

Advance/Advanced Subsidiary GCE Music

Entry Requirements

Ideally you should have gained at least a grade B at GCSE music before starting the course. Your higher performance level on your main instrument/voice should be Grade 5 Associated Board standard or higher. It is essential that you can read music fluently in at least one clef. There are many opportunities to follow your own musical interests but you must have a willingness to learn and enjoy music of all styles. 40% of this examination is based on traditional analysis of Classical music.

About the Course
Advanced Level music continues along the lines of GCSE music with its three elements of listening, composing and performing.

The AS units are as follows:

Unit 1: Performing (30% AS 15% A2)
In this unit you will develop your skills as a musical performer and you will record six minutes of solo performances for your assessment. You have a completely free choice of music in this unit but pieces are expected to be at least Grade 5 standard.

Unit 2: Composing (30% AS 15% A2)
In this unit you will develop your composition skills and will be assessed on a three minute composition written as a controlled test (fifteen hours) in response to a given brief. You will also write a CD sleeve note to describe aspects of your final composition and how other pieces of music have influenced it.

Unit 3: Developing musical understanding (40% AS 20% A2)
This unit focuses on listening to pieces of music and understanding how they work. In the first two sections you will study set compositions and answer questions on them. In the third question you will harmonise a melody in the style of Bach and analyse a score of unfamiliar music by answering questions on keys, chords, cadences, modulations and non-harmonic notes.

The A2 units are as follows:

Unit 4: Extended Performances (15% A2)
In this unit you will extend your performance skills by producing a 12 - 15 minute balanced programme of music which is recorded and assessed. Pieces should be at Grade 6 standard or higher and you will be assessed on your ability to produce a balanced programme of music as well as your technical performance ability and interpretation skills.

Unit 5: Composition and Technical Study (15% A2)
This unit has two sections: Composition and Technical Study. The composition section further develops your composition skills, leading to the creation of a final three-minute piece from a chosen brief. The Technical Study involves two compositions completed in the style of a particular composer or musical period.

Unit 6: Further Musical Understanding (15% A2)
This unit involves listening to music, familiar and unfamiliar, and understanding how it works. Questions and listening exercises are based around two compulsory areas of study.