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AS/A Level

AS: Year 12 Course summary:

Unit 1 Performance

6-8 minutes 12% 60 marks

A performance consisting of a minimum of two pieces either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble or a combination of both. One piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one area of study.

Unit 2 Composing

3-6 Minutes 12% 54 Marks

  1. A piece of at least 1 minute duration which uses the techniques in response to a brief set by WJEC. (choice of four set briefs, associated with the Western Classical Tradition)
  2. A free composition of at least 2 minutes duration.

Unit 3 Appraising

Written Examination (1 ½ Hr (approx) 16% 72 marks

Two areas of study: A: The Western Classical Tradition (Part 1)

  • The Symphony 1760-1830 including one set work, Symphony Number 103, Drum Roll, Haydn, Movements 1 and 2.
  • OR: Religious Choral Music 1730-1800 including one set work, Requiem, Mozart (Requiem, Dies Irae, Tuba Mirum and Rex Tremendae).

Choice of one area of study from:

  • B: Rock and Pop 1965-1990
  • C: Musical Theatre, Porter, Rodgers, Schönberg and Lloyd-Webber
  • D: Jazz 1940-1965

 

A Level: Year 13 Course summary:

Unit 4 Performing

  • Option A: Performing (22%)
    A performance consisting of a minimum of three pieces. At least one of these pieces must be as a soloist. The other pieces may be either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble or a combination of both.

OR

  • Option B: Performing 6-8 Min (14%) 60 Marks
    A performance consisting of a minimum of two pieces either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble or a combination of both.

Unit 5 Composing

  • Option A: 3-6 minutes (14%) 54 Marks Two compositions:
    1. A piece of at least 1 minute duration in response to a brief set by WJEC.
    2. A free composition of at least 2 minutes duration

OR

  • Option B: Composing 5-9 minutes (22%) 90 Marks Three compositions:
    1. A piece of at least 1 minute duration, in response to a brief set by WJEC
    2. A free composition reflecting one other different area of study of at least 2 minutes duration
    3. A free composition of at least 2 minutes duration

Unit 6 Appraising

24% of qualification 80 marks

E: The Western Classical Tradition (Part 2)

  • The Symphony 1830-1910
  • OR: Religious Choral Music 1800-1890

F: Music of the Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries

List A

  • Strand 1: Impressionism
  • OR Strand 2: Chamber Music in Wales

List B

  • Strand 3: Popular Music in Wales
  • OR Strand 4: American Musical Theatre
  • OR Strand 5: Jazz Legends