Eduqas A Level Music
Whether you plan to go on and study music further, at university or a conservatoire, or to become a professional musician - a composer, performer, conductor or teacher, or simply to enjoy music as a hobby alongside another professional life, what you learn on this course will give you a broad but also detailed understanding of this extremely rewarding and enjoyable subject.
The course will introduce you to music from different periods of history and different genres, and you will learn how those things fit together, where influences can be found from composer to composer, and what the structural elements are that go to make up Western music, both classical and other popular forms.
Component 1 - Performing
Option A: Total duration of performances: 10-12 minutes
Option A: 35% of qualification
Option B: Total duration of performances: 6-8 minutes
Option B: 25% of qualification
Option A: Performing (35%)
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. One piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one area of study. At least one other piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one other, different area of study.
Option B: Performing (25%)
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.
Component 2 - Composing
Option A: Total duration of compositions: 4-6 minutes
Option A: 25% of qualification
Option B: Total duration of compositions: 8-10 minutes
Option B: 35% of qualification
Option A: Composing (25%)
Two compositions, one of which must reflect the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition and be in response to a brief set by Eduqas. Learners will have a choice of four set briefs, released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition is a free composition.
Option B: Composing (35%)
Three compositions, one of which must reflect the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition and be in response to a brief set by Eduqas. Learners will have a choice of four set briefs, released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition must reflect the musical characteristics of one different area of study (i.e. not the Western Classical Tradition) while the third composition is a free composition.
Component 3 - Appraising
Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes (approximately)
40% of qualification
Three areas of study:
Area of study A: The Western Classical Tradition (The Development of the Symphony 1750-1900) which includes two set works. Choose one set work for detailed analysis and the other for general study.
A choice of one area of study from:
Area of study B: Rock and Pop
Area of study C: Musical Theatre
Area of study D: Jazz
A choice of one area of study from:
Area of study E: Into the Twentieth Century including two set works:
Whether you plan to go on and study music further, at university or a conservatoire, or to become a professional musician - a composer, performer, conductor or teacher, or simply to enjoy music as a hobby alongside another professional life, what you learn on this course will give you a broad but also detailed understanding of this extremely rewarding and enjoyable subject.
The course will introduce you to music from different periods of history and different genres, and you will learn how those things fit together, where influences can be found from composer to composer, and what the structural elements are that go to make up Western music, both classical and other popular forms.
Component 1 - Performing
Option A: Total duration of performances: 10-12 minutes
Option A: 35% of qualification
Option B: Total duration of performances: 6-8 minutes
Option B: 25% of qualification
Option A: Performing (35%)
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. One piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one area of study. At least one other piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one other, different area of study.
Option B: Performing (25%)
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.
Component 2 - Composing
Option A: Total duration of compositions: 4-6 minutes
Option A: 25% of qualification
Option B: Total duration of compositions: 8-10 minutes
Option B: 35% of qualification
Option A: Composing (25%)
Two compositions, one of which must reflect the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition and be in response to a brief set by Eduqas. Learners will have a choice of four set briefs, released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition is a free composition.
Option B: Composing (35%)
Three compositions, one of which must reflect the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition and be in response to a brief set by Eduqas. Learners will have a choice of four set briefs, released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition must reflect the musical characteristics of one different area of study (i.e. not the Western Classical Tradition) while the third composition is a free composition.
Component 3 - Appraising
Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes (approximately)
40% of qualification
Three areas of study:
Area of study A: The Western Classical Tradition (The Development of the Symphony 1750-1900) which includes two set works. Choose one set work for detailed analysis and the other for general study.
- Symphony No. 104 in D major, 'London': Haydn
- Symphony No. 4 in A major, 'Italian': Mendelssohn
A choice of one area of study from:
Area of study B: Rock and Pop
Area of study C: Musical Theatre
Area of study D: Jazz
A choice of one area of study from:
Area of study E: Into the Twentieth Century including two set works:
- Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano, Movement II: Poulenc
- Three Nocturnes, Number 1, Nuages: Debussy
- Asyla, Movement 3, Ecstasio: Thomas Adès
- String Quartet No. 2 (Opus California) Movements 1 (Boardwalk) and 4 (Natural Bridges): Sally Beamish