COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
4 or above at GCSE level or an equivalent standard on your instrument.
WHAT IS THE COURSE CONTENT AND HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
PERFORMING:
YEAR 1 – Working towards a performance of 2 pieces (Grade 5 standard or above) Year 2 Working
towards a performance of 3 pieces (grade 6 or above).
COMPOSITION
YEAR 1 – Studying a variety of composition techniques and devices and completing
one composition to a brief set by the candidate.
YEAR 2 – One further composition completed during this year(if choosing 25% composition)
OR two further compositions completed this year( if choosing 35% composition).
APPRAISING EXAM
YEAR 1 – Study of the Development of the Symphony and a choice of Rock and Pop, Musical Theatre or Jazz.
This second option will be chosen according to the strengths of the students.
YEAR 2 – Further in depth study of areas outlined above and either Into the 20th Century or
Into the 21st Century.
Component 1: Performing (35% or 25%) – Non-exam assessment, externally assessed between March and May by a visiting examiner.
Component 2: Composing (35% or 25%) – Non-exam assessment, externally assessed.
Component 3: Appraising (40%) – Listening and appraising exam – 2 hours 15 minutes
A-Level
Exam Board:
EDUQAS
Contact details:
Head of department Mrs H McKenna
h.mckenna@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk
“MUSIC IS TRULY THE MOST DIVERSE DISCIPLINE OF STUDY;
THROUGH ITS EYES YOU LEARN ABOUT PHILOSOPHY, PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY AND ECONOMICS…BY STUDYING MUSIC, YOU STUDY HUMANITY.”
CHARLIE POTTS SNCHS 2012-2019, CURRENTLY STUDYING MUSIC AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY
ST NICHOLAS EXTRA:
Students will be offered the opportunity to perform in both small recitals and larger scale concerts throughout the year in a variety of venues. We will encourage A level students to take part in our Music Tour abroad and perform in a completely different setting. We will arrange visits to concerts by professional orchestras and ensembles which will help secure the understanding of the variety of styles studied for the appraising exam.