Music

EXAM SPECIFICATION: Edexcel           9MUO                                       

Music is  stimulating, challenging and rewarding.  Amongst many other things it will develop your creativity, your imagination and your powers of observation and thinking skills. In this course you will significantly broaden your musical horizons.  A Level Music further develops experience  and knowledge in performing, composing, listening and analysis skills gained from GCSE. The Edexcel  A level Music qualification has  been designed to give all students the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills of music whatever their previous experience. The Course will  support and encourage students coming from KS4  to progress in all aspects of Music at A level and beyond, and you will study a broad range of music through specific areas of study, set works and wider listening. You will  have the opportunity to perform a recital and create and compose your own pieces using the skills and knowledge developed in other areas of the subject.

Please view the PowerPoint below to get an overview of the course.  

STUDENT VIDEO: Current student, Chris Foster, describes what it's like to study A Level Music.  

A Level Music Course overview

• Specification: Edexcel NMU0

Years 12 and 13:

• •Unit 1 60 marks (30 % A-Level) Performance of an 8 Minute recital
• •Unit 2 60 marks (30% A-Level) Composing: A piece of at least 4 minutes in duration and 2 Chorales written in the style of J S Bach (examined with exercises  under timed conditions)
• •Unit 3 (40% A Level) Appraisal: The study of set works from 6 areas of study (Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Music for Film, Popular Music and Jazz, Fusions, New Directions) 
• In Unit 3 there is a written paper and Section A consists  of short answer questions , Section B consists of 2  Essays one linked to a set work and one to an insane extract.

• •The Examination  for unit 3 will be taken at the end of Year 13
• The Recital for Unit 1 will be performed in March of year 13
• The Bach chorale exercises will be completed in the Spring of 13

Skills

• You are required to be competent on your first study instrument (at least grade 5 Associated Board or equivalent) in order to be successful at the performance aspect of the course.
  Compositional skills will be developed and you will study compositional ‘pastiche’ techniques.
  Students will develop harmony skills and knowledge of key harmonic relationships. Finally, you will also listen to, study and analyse music from different genres and cultures, developing:
• Essay Skills
• Research skills
• Discussion and opinion forming
• performance and presentation
• Analysis skills 
• Score reading

Examinations

All A-level exams are at the end of Year 13:

• 1x 8 minute performance recital
•  1x 2 hour 30 minute  Appraisal written Examination
• Coursework:  1 x 4 Minute (minimum) Composition and 2x 4 part Chorales in the style of J S Bach written under timed conditions.

Enrichment

• You will participate in a visit to London or Birmingham. The day includes a visit to a venue or museum relating to history and development of the performing arts, in particular music, a composition workshop and attend a musical performance.
• The recital team from the Northamptonshire County Music Service deliver a workshop relating to the composition, performance and history units of the course.
• You are expected to be a member of an ensemble in school. Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Orchestra and String Ensemble and the musical theatre production where you are involved on stage or in the pit orchestra. You are also welcome to run your own ensemble.

For further details, please contact Mrs Armstrong, Head of Music jarmstrong@bishopstopford.com

Head of Expressive Arts, Design and Technology:  Mrs Fletton