Year 12 & 13
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Mr T Grant-Jones &
Mrs I Grant-Jones
DEPARTMENTAL TEACHING:
We have specialist teachers who visit weekly to teach brass, guitar, percussion/drum kit, piano/keyboard, flute, clarinet, strings.
COURSES OFFERED IN THE DEPARTMENT
COURSE TITLE: AS and A2 in Music
LEVEL: A level for students in years 12 and 13
DURATION OF THE COURSE: AS is 1 year A2 is 1 further year as a continuation of AS
BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE COURSE AS involves performing, composition, aural awareness and study of two musical topics with set works.
A2 involves specialising in performance or composition. The aural awareness and musical topics go in to further depth than AS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: For AS, ideally GCSE in music. More importantly, at least 2 years of previous experience in learning seriously a musical instrument or voice and able to read and write music.
THE COURSE: For A2, ideally a grade C or better at AS.
UNITS/MODULES STUDIED DURING THE COURSE:
Unit 1 is Performing (solo and ensemble).
Unit 2 is Composition (compositional exercises and free composition).
Unit 3 is Listening and Understanding shown through study of set works and related listening tests.
A2 has 3 compulsory units (4-6).
Unit 4 is the specialist option where either a composition portfolio or recital performance is selected.
Unit 5 involves a compositional exercise and performances during the course.
Unit 6 is Analysis of music shown through study of new set works and relatedlistening tests.
COURSE ASSESSMENT:
Unit 1 coursework performances are assessed by teacher (15% of AS). One further performance is recorded and sent off to be assessed by the board (15% of AS).
Unit 2 is all assessed by the board (30% of AS).
Unit 3 listening paper (15% of AS) and written paper (25% of AS) all assessed by the board.
A2
Unit 4 (15%), whether performance or composition option, both are assessed by the board.
Unit 5 compositional exercise (7.5%) is assessed by the board and performance during the course (7.5%) is assessed by the teacher.
Unit 6 listening paper (7.5%) and written paper (12.5%) all assessed by the board.
EXAMINATION BOARD: Edexcel
QUALIFICATION GAINED:
AS is worth maximum of 60 points (grade A)
A2 is worth maximum of 120 points (grade A)
DATES FOR COURSE ASSESSMENT:
All performance coursework, recordings and compositions to be completed by end of April prior to the summer exams. Units 3 and 6 have written exams which take place in the main batch of summer exams.
PROGRESSION FROM THIS COURSE:
An ideal qualification to Higher Education application such as university or conservatoire for courses in music, performing arts, musical theatre. A useful subject to offer also when applying for courses towards a teaching qualification.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Students may find the Bedford library a useful source for information in addition to the school’s own library music section.
VISITS
Students will be expected to go to concerts, shows, gigs etc., to broaden their listening experiences.
COURSE TITLE: GCSE in Music
LEVEL: GCSE for students in years 10 and 11
DURATION OF THE COURSE: 2 years - although it can be achieved in 1 year
BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE COURSE:
It involves performing (solo and ensemble), composition (2 pieces) and a listening & appraising exam.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE:
Some ability in playing an instrument or singing and a motivation to study that instrument or voice with a specialist teacher.
UNITS/MODULES STUDIED DURING THE COURSE:
Paper 2 involves composing 2 pieces based on different but specified briefs.
Paper 3 involves knowing about music from around the world and throughout the centuries. This is tested in a listening exam.
COURSE ASSESSMENT:
Paper 1 performances are assessed by the teacher.
Paper 2 compositions are assessed by the teacher.
Paper 3 exam is marked by the board.
EXAMINATION BOARD: Edexcel
DATES FOR COURSE ASSESSMENT:
All coursework recordings and compositions to be completed by end of April prior to the summer exams. The listening exam is during the main batch of summer exams.
PROGRESSION FROM THIS COURSE:
AS in Music, Music Technology National Diploma (BTech) in Music Practice.