A-LEVEL MUSIC AT JHGS

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A-LEVEL MUSIC AT JHGS
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SUCCESS

• John Hampden Music Department has been
  consistently high performing with 100 A-C pass
  rate over the past 2 years in AS and A2
• All A2 students pursued Music based University
  courses and achieved their first choices
• Numbers are steadily rising with 8 boys currently
  studying in the Lower 6th and 4 boys in the Upper
  6th

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Requirements

• AS Music consists of Coursework and a Final
  Examination.

ELEMENT Description Weighting
Performance Solo Performance Performing During Course 15 15
Composition Portfolio Composition Techniques Portfolio Individual Composition 15 15
Listening and Understanding 45 Min Listening Comprehension Structured Anthology Questions 15 25
Coursework
Exam
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AS Performance 30

• 1. Solo Performance should be
• Grade 5 Standard
• A significant development in use of Pitch,
  Rhythm, Dynamic shading and Realisation from GCSE
  style.
• No less then 5-6 Minutes duration
• 2. Performing During the Course
• A Log of the 4 best witnessed performances over
  the course of the year. Class performance or
  special occasion.
• Students must have at least 1 ensemble and 1
  performance of your own composition from either
  composition element or any other piece you have
  written and not submitted previously.

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AS Composition - 15

• Composition
• This should demonstrate a wider range of
  vocabulary and appropriate notation
• The cultivation of awareness of capabilities of
  different instruments
• Should be at least 3 Minutes
• You can choose to write a composition in one of
  the following genre
• Variations, Romantic Miniatures, Neo-Classicism
• Post-Modernism, Popular Song, Club Dance
• Fusion, Film and Television, Music Theatre

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AS Composition 15

• Composition Techniques
• Students focus on 2 topics.
• Electro-Acoustic Music
• A Music Technology based composition lasting one
  minute, incorporating technology effects
• Bach Chorale Harmonisation
• Harmonise 12 bars of SATB using Bach harmony
  techniques.
• These are completed as Coursework for AS and as a
  Final Examination in A2

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AS Listening and Appraising 15

• General Aural Perception Exam
• 45 minute listening exam focussed on
• Timbre and Textures
• Comparison of Performances
• Aural Recognition
• Melodic/rhythmic dictation
• Ornamentation
• Genre/ composer/ year recognition
• Perception on Tonality and Harmony
• Cadences
• Harmonic devices

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AS Anthology Paper 25

• 1 ½ hour Written Exam based on two Areas of
  study Secular Music and Music for Film and
  Television
• Pieces studied from an Anthology of Music which
  will be developed over the course.
• These include studying composition techniques in
  Films such as ET, Planet of the Apes, On the
  Waterfront and Inspector Morse.
• Secular Music includes Flow my Tears and
  Summertime.

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A2 Music

• Music at Advanced level develops the knowledge
  attained at AS Level
• There is an even greater opportunity for the
  performing specialists and composers by following
  individual pathways to focus on Performance or
  Composition

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A2 Specialist pathways

• A2 Performance Option
• A 20 minute recital to a live audience
• Grade 7 standard
• A2 Composition Portfolio
• A Portfolio of compositions from 2 of the given
  areas in AS.
• 1 to be extended from AS

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A2 Composition Techniques 15

• 3 hour exam based on Music Technology and
  extending the Electro-Acoustic option from AS
• Extemporises Reverb, Filtering, EQ, reversing and
  General studio techniques
• Performance during the course
• A log of 4 performances of around a grade 6
  standard minimum

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A2 Listening Paper 40

• 1 Hour test of Aural Perception expanding on AS
  examination
• 2 Hour Anthology examination based on 2 Areas of
  study Large Ensemble and Film and TV Music.
• More Essay based extended writing examination

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What can A level Music do for you?

• Music as an AS will give a rounded education and
  balance your other studies.
• Active inclusion in all Ensembles is highly
  regarded.
• Prefects for music are given opportunity to lead
  workshops.
• University courses vary greatly and you can enjoy
  different elements such as Performance based,
  Technology Based or Compositional Courses.

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Is it for you?

• For you to get the most out of Music at A level
  you require a good pass at Music GCSE, C or
  above.
• You should be prepared to join a school ensemble
  such as bands or choir.
• You need to be committed to extended listening
  and aural tasks.

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• Any Questions?