AS MUSIC
Why study MUSIC at GCE?
The AS and A2 Music courses aim to broaden the experience gained at GCSE level, develop imagination, foster creativity and promote personal and social development. These courses are also intended to support candidates’ personal and social development through creating and performing music with others.
Entry Requirements
Students studying AS/A2 level Music must have achieved Grade B or better in GCSE Music.
Performance.
The AS standard of performance should be at a level equivalent to at least Grade 4 of the accredited graded music examination boards, and Grade 5 for the A2. Credit will be given to candidates performing successfully above the minimum standard, up to 12 marks in the Core solo or ensemble performance and up to 8 marks in the Optional solo or ensemble performance.
It is vital that students who are considering taking AS or A2 music already receive tuition on their instrument/voice.
AS – length of performance = 5-8 mins for Core
A2 – length of performance = 10-12 mins for Core
MUSIC SPECIFICATION
What do you study?
AS 1: Performing a solo performance and a viva voce/discussion with the examiner.
Types of questions asked will be:
1. Choice of Programme
How did you go about choosing your programme?
2. Technical Issues Arising From The Performance
What challenges have you encountered when learning this piece? – what did you find technically challenging? (you may want to show what you mean by making reference to the score or demonstrate on your instrument)
How have you overcome those difficulties?
3. Expressive Features Of The Music
Once you had learned all the notes of the piece, what other aspects did you consider in relation to the style of the piece? What aspects in relation to the style did you start to focus on with your teacher?
4. Recordings
Have you listened to any recordings – how did that assist you in preparing your performance?
5. Finishing Off
Is there any other aspect of your performance you’d like to talk about? Is there anything else about your performance you’d like to mention?
AS 2: Composition
AS3 and AS4: Listening and Appraising
Candidates study the range of set works listed, and answer one Aural Perception exam (lasting 1 hour) and a Written exam (lasting 2 hours.)
The Written exam comprises 4 parts:
- A 'pull out' question featuring an extract from one of the set works listed in the Music for Orchestra 1700-1900 Area of Study.
- A previously unseen 'pull out' extract of a string quartet/simpler orchestral piece with questions examining chords/keys/cadences/melodic and harmonic devices etc.
- One extended writing passage based on a choice of 2 questions regarding the Sacred Vocal Music set works (15 marks)
- One extended writing passage based on a choice of 2 questions regarding the Secular Vocal Music set works (15 marks)
Resources
Students will be provided with the AS scores and a comprehensive set of notes. All students will be invited to join the Google Classroom pages for analyses, H/W and revision guides.
Exam Dates 2019
AS1 Music Performance dates will be between Thursday 29th April and Friday 17th May 2019
AS Unit 2 - Composition Collection for Moderation on 7th May 2019
AS Unit 3 - SMU31 Paper 1 Monday 20th May 2019 - 9.15-10.15am (Aural Perception)
AS Unit 3 - SMU32 Paper 2Thursday 23rd May 2019 - 9.15 - 11.15am (Written)