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Here are examples of the type of A/S and A Level Music courses [outlines from the Edexcel syllabus] which began in September 2000:

How is the A/S Level Music course assessed?

The Areas of Study

Study Units at AS Level - Overview

How is the A Level Music course assessed?

Study Units at A Level - Overview

What could I go on to do at the end of the course?

How is the A/S Level Music course assessed?

The AS Music course is divided into three units of study and is assessed as follows:
Unit One - Performing Coursework � internally assessed

Assessment: 1a) Perform and record a solo piece or group of pieces (minimum Grade 4 standard - ABRSM) lasting between 5 - 6 minutes, and 

UNIT 1b) Perform 4 other pieces at school (i.e. one solo; one ensemble piece; one composition and one other piece). The solo performance in this unit must also be recorded. A log must be kept and handed in as part of the assessment.
Unit Two - Developing Musical Ideas Coursework � externally assessed

Assessment: i) Compose one individual piece lasting between 3 - 4 minutes, based on one of the Areas of Study provided by the board, complete an evaluation, and 

ii) Compose and complete two additional shorter pieces in the style of other composers (i.e. pastiche- such as cadences in chorales, minimalism, serialism, baroque two-part, etc.) set by the exam board. This area is examined as coursework over a set number of weeks.
Unit Three - Listening and Understanding Listening / Written Test

Assessment: i) Develop an understanding through listening of a variety of musical styles across all Areas of Study. This part consists of a 45 minute listening test, and 

ii) Answer detailed questions you have studied on 2 areas from the 9 Area of Study listed in the syllabus. This is a 1 1/2 hour written exam.

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Areas of Study

          Here is a list of the Areas of Study included on the A/S and A level courses. 

Unit 2 

You will be required to compose one piece at AS Level in Unit 2 that is related to one of these areas:

Variations

Romantic Miniatures

Neo-Classicism

Post-modernism

The popular song

Club dance and hip hop

Fusions

Film and TV

Music theatre

Unit 3 

You will be required to study two of the following areas at AS Level in Unit 3:

Keyboard Music 

Popular Music and Jazz  

Music for Large Ensemble  

Sacred Vocal Music  

Music for Small Ensemble 

Secular Vocal music  

World Music 

Music for Film and TV

20th and 21st Century Art Music

Here is an example of the types of pieces that would be studied if you opted for 'Music for Film and TV' and '20th and 21st Century Art Music'.

           Music for Film and TV                                                

John Williams � ET

George Auric - Passport to Pimlico

Barrington Pheloung � Inspector Morse  

Leonard Bernstein � On the Waterfront 

Jerry Goldsmith � Planet of the Apes

James Horner - Titanic

20th and 21st Century Art Music  

Webern - Quartet Op. 22 (First Movement)  

Berio - Sequenza III for solo voice   

Stravinsky - Pulcinella Suite (Overture, Gavotte & Vivo)  

Shostakovich - String Quartet No 8 Op. 110 (First Movement)

Cage - Sonatas and Interludes for prepared piano (Sonatas I-III)

Reich - New York Counterpoint (Second Movement)

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Units of Study at AS Level - Overview

Skills

Unit One - Performing

Unit Two - Developing Musical Ideas

Unit Three - Listening and Understanding

Practical skills

Performing

Use of Music Technology

 

Interpretative skills

Interpreting scores

 Interpreting scores

Interpreting scores

Creative skills

 Performing own composition

Composing and composing techniques

  

Aural skills

Integrated

Integrated

Listening test

Knowledge and understanding

 

 Composing in music styles related to an Area of Study

Two Areas of Study

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How is the A Level course assessed?  

The A Level course consists of three further units taken during the second year.  

Unit 4 � Specialist Options Coursework � externally assessed

Assessment - Either: i) Compose and record two pieces � total time lasting not less than 6 minutes. The two pieces must be related to the topics given in Unit 2 (see list above). One piece must be the same topic as that studied in Unit 2 at AS Level.

or; ii) Perform a recital lasting 20 minutes (minimum Grade 5/6 standard - ABRSM).

Unit 5 �Composition and Performing Internally / externally assessed 

Assessment: i) Extend one of the compositional techniques studied in Unit 2 (part ii) above. This will be assessed as a commissioned exercise at the end of the year.

ii) Perform 4 pieces at school (i.e. one solo; one ensemble piece; one composition and one other piece (as Unit 1 in AS Level). The solo performance in this unit must also be recorded. A log must be kept and handed in as part of the assessment.

Unit 6 � Listening and Analysing Listening / Written Test

Assessment: i) Continue to develop an understanding through listening of a variety of musical styles across all Areas of Study. This part consists of a 45 minute listening test in which you have your own CD and listening apparatus to use for the exam, and 

ii) Write about the theoretical and practical aspects related to your chosen Areas of Study - see list above One of the areas must be the same as that taken at AS Level. This is a 2 hour written exam.

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Units of Study at A Level - Overview

Skills

Unit Four -Performing

Unit Five - Developing Musical Ideas

Unit Six - Listening and Understanding

Practical skills

Composition portfolio or recital

Performing

 

Interpretative skills

Interpreting scores

 Interpreting scores

Interpreting scores

Creative skills

 Composing

Composing 

  

Aural skills

Integrated

Integrated

Listening test

Knowledge and understanding

Programme notes or composition log

  

New Area of Study and extension of one Area of study

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What could I go on to do at the end of the course?

The following routes could be considered after completing an AS or A Level Music course:

The study of Music, Popular Music or a Combined Arts subject in Higher Education;

The pursuit of a vocation in Music, and/or the Arts;

Linking Music with Technology and/or Science in Higher Education;

Straight to employment � sales, administration and/or retail;

Teaching � instrumental / classroom teaching.

Arts administration;

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