At both AS and A2, students experience all three main musical disciplines of performing, composing and listening + understanding. It is excellent preparation for higher education courses in music, but it is equally valuable for non-specialists as a second or third area of study. There are three units to undertake at both AS and A2 level.

AS UNITS

Unit 1 - Performing Music (30% of AS, 15% of GCE)
Students must produce a 5-6 minute performance which is recorded and externally moderated. This could be a solo and/or as part of an ensemble. It could be 1 piece or a selection of pieces. The music can be from any style, and played on any instrument. Notated and/or improvised performances may be submitted.

Unit 2 - Composing (30% of AS, 15% of GCE)
Students must compose a 3 minute piece in response to a chosen brief, and produce a CD sleeve note to accompany their composition. You will be given a choice of 4 briefs in January. The CD sleeve note will be based around the responses to 3 questions including information on influences and aspects of the piece. This unit is externally assessed and completed under controlled conditions.

Unit 3 - Developing Musical Understanding (40% of AS, 20% of GCE)
Students will familiarise themselves with set works from the anthology through listening and studying scores. You will be required to identify important musical features, social + historical context, harmonic and tonal features and then apply this knowledge in a 2-hour exam paper which is externally assessed. The paper consists of 3 sections: Section A: Listening; Section B: Investigating musical styles, and Section C: Understanding Chords and lines. You will not have access to a copy of the anthology during the exam.

A2 UNITS

Unit 4 - Extended Performance (30% of A2, 15% of GCE)
Students must perform a 12-15 minute balanced programme of music which is recorded and externally moderated. This could be a solo and/or as part of an ensemble. The music can be from any style, and played on any instrument. Notated and/or improvised performances may be submitted.

Unit 5 - Composition and Technical Study (30% 0f A2, 15% of GCE)
This unit has 2 sections: composition and technical study. The composition section further develops students' composition skills, leading to the creation of a final 3 minute piece in response to a chosen brief. The technical study section builds on the knowledge and awareness of harmony gained in Unit 3. You will be required to complete 2 tasks in this unit choosing from either 1 composition and 1 technical study or 2 compositions or 2 technical studies. This unit is externally assessed and completed under controlled conditions.

Unit 6 - Further Musical Understanding (40% of A2, 20% of GCE)
Students will familiarise themselves with set works from the anthology through listening and studying scores. You will also be required to listen to a wide range of unfamiliar music which relates to the 2 compulsory areas of study. You will be required to identify important musical features, context and/or elements of continuity and change, harmonic and tonal features and then apply this knowledge in a 2-hour exam paper which is externally assessed. The paper consists of 3 sections: Section A: Aural analysis; Section B: Music in context, and Section C: Continuity and change in instrumental music. You will have access to a copy of the anthology during the exam.