Music
Exam Board: Edexcel

The aims of the course

AS Music

Unit 1 – Performing: 30%
Perform or improvise as a soloist or in an ensemble in any style. A total of 5 – 6 minutes will be recorded during the year.

Unit 2 – Composing: 30%
A 3 minute composition based on 1 of 4 briefs. You will have to provide ‘CD sleeve notes’ explaining aspects of your composition.

Unit 3 – Listening and Understanding: 40%
You will study set works relating to instrumental music and vocal music from a wide range of styles.
Section A: Questions to test your listening skills.
Section B: Identifying musical features and describing the historical and social context of the pieces.
Section C: Analysing harmonic and melodic features and completing a short 4-part harmony exercise.

A2 Music

Unit 4 – Performance: 30%
Perform or improvise as a soloist or in an ensemble in any style. A total of 12 – 15 minutes will be recorded in one take at any point during the year.

Unit 5 – Composition and / or technical study: 30%
You must complete 2 tasks: either 1 composition and 1 technical study or 2 compositions or 2 technical studies.
- The compositions are 3 minutes long and based on a choice of 4 given briefs.
- The technical studies require you to complete a short piece in a specified style.

Unit 6 – Listening and Understanding: 40%
You will study set works relating to instrumental music and applied music from a wide range of styles.
Section A: Questions to test your listening skills.
Section B: 2 questions about the musical, social and historical features of the set works.
Section C: 1 question about continuity and change through the set works.

Successful students will normally have