Curriculum Leader

Mr Will Taylor

Awarding Body

eduqas Course Specification

Entry Requirements

GCSE level 6 or above in GCSE Music

Why choose WJEC Eduqas A Level in Music?

Music at A Level is an exciting, varied and interesting subject that combines and further develops the skills of Performing, Composing and Appraising/ Musical Analysis over the duration of the course.

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What will I learn in Year 12 Music and how will it be assessed?

Component 1: Performing
You will prepare a significant part of your full A level recital (Grade 6 equivalent standard or above) during Y12.

Component 2: Composing
You will be taught the fundamental skills of advanced composition before beginning work on one of your coursework folio compositions. This will be assessed as part of the end of year mock examination.

Component 3: Appraising
You will study and prepare the majority of Area of Study 1.
Area of Study 1: The Development of the Symphony in the Western Classical Tradition (1750 to 1900) including a main set work for detailed analysis: Symphony No. 104 in D Major, ‘London’ by Haydn and a more general study of Symphony No. 4 in A Major, ‘ Italian’ by Mendelssohn .

Questions
1. Set work analysis with an unmarked score
2. Extended responses on wider context
3. Unprepared extracts of music with and without a score
4. Comparison questions

This component includes a listening examination which will be assessed as part of the end of year mock examination.

Music is a new specification subject. The school’s policy is that students enrolling onto new specification courses will not be entered for external AS examinations at the end of Year 12. Please visit the FAQs for more information on new specifications, their UCAS tariff points and the ‘decoupling’ of AS/A2 grades.

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What will I learn in Year 13 Music and how will it be assessed?

All assessment for A level will take place in the second year of the two year course.
For this specification, learners must choose either Option A in both Components 1 and 2 or Option B in both Components 1 and 2. This allows them to specialise more in either performing or composing in a 35%/25% weighting in favour of their chosen specialism. All learners must study Component 3.

Component 1: Performing
Non-exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner in March to May. The expected standard would be approaching grade 6 level by the second year of the course.
Option A: Performing - 35%
A performance (10 -12 minutes) comprising a minimum of three pieces. At least one of these pieces must be as a soloist. The other pieces may be either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble or a combination of both. One piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one area of study. At least one other piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one other, different area of study.

Option B: Performing - 25%
A performance (6-8 minutes) comprising a minimum of two pieces either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble or a combination of both. One piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one area of study. Students will build on the Y12 Mock Examination to prepare for their full Y13 recital.

Component 2: Composing
Non-exam assessment: externally assessed
Option A: Composing - 25%
Two compositions, with total duration of 4-6 minutes. The first composition must reflect the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition and be in response to a brief set by WJEC. Learners will have a choice of four set briefs, released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition is a free composition.

Option B: Composing - 35%
Three compositions, with total duration of 8-10 minutes.  One composition must reflect the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition and be in response to a brief set by WJEC. Learners will have a choice of four set briefs, released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition must reflect the musical characteristics of one different area of study i.e. not the Western Classical Tradition. The third composition is a free composition.
Students will complete the initial coursework composition of Y12 and then concentrate on the set brief composition which can only be completed in Y13.

Component 3: Appraising - Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes, 40% of qualification
In Year 13 you will complete Area of Study 1: The Development of the Symphony in the Western Classical Tradition (1750 to 1900). Refer to Year 12. You will then prepare Areas of Study 2 and 3:
Area of Study 2: Musical Theatre in the Twentieth Century.
Area of study 3: Into the Twentieth Century including two set works:
• Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano, Movement II: Poulenc
• Three Nocturnes, Number 1, Nuages: Debussy

Questions:
1. Set work analysis with an unmarked score
2. Extended responses on wider context, (in greater detail than AS)
3. Unprepared extracts of music with and without a score
4. Comparison questions
This component includes a listening examination.

This is a ‘new specification’ subject. The overall result for each student completing this course to full A level standard will be based on the final Year 13 A level examinations only. Please visit the FAQs for more information on new specifications, their UCAS tariff points and their ‘decoupling’ of AS/A2 grades.

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How will I learn?

You will learn through opportunities to:

  • Analyse musical scores in detail both individually and in pairs/ groups.
  • Perform as a soloist and as a member of an ensemble.
  • Compose as an individual using the latest computer software to assist you.
  • Develop your detailed listening and appraising skills.
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A number of McAuley students have progressed to universities or conservatoires to study Music related degrees or degrees which place an emphasis on performance/ presentation skills or require creative/analytical skills.

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A variety of career paths relating to the above degrees as well as music teaching, music/artistic events management etc.

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Further Course Information

A wide range of further curricular opportunities will enhance and develop studies including one specifically Sixth Form group, Sixth Form Chamber Orchestra. There will be numerous opportunities to perform as part of concerts. Composing is supported by the latest music specific software. All students receive a range of resources including textbooks, detailed notes and examination papers to fully support their learning. A significant number of students from other schools choose to come to McAuley to study A Level Music.

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Extra Curricular Opportunities in Music

Free weekly instrumental / singing lesson and ensemble rehearsals.

Weekly ensemble rehearsals include:
Orchestra
Wind Band
String Ensemble
Chamber Choir
McAuley Chorus
Jazz Ensemble
Sax Group

There is also the opportunity to lead and mentor one of our junior ensembles.

Summer Course
Every July we hold a week-long orchestra course culminating in a weekend concert which includes 20-30 of our alumni musicians. The week includes a trip to see a show plus evenings of bowling and laser tag.

Trips
A-level musicians attend at least one live concert a year relating to the course content.

Show
We run a full musical once every two years, our last being ‘Joseph’ in spring 2022.
There are opportunities to perform on stage or in the pit orchestra.

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