What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?

It is useful to have taken music at GCSE level, but this is not essential as long as you can already play a musical instrument and are able to read music. The Music Department staff will be happy to assess your suitability for the course.

What will I learn on this Advanced GCE course?

The course demands performing, composing, listening and analytical skills in almost equal measure. You will improve your skills in performing and composing in a range of styles. You will listen to a wide variety of music and develop a more informed appreciation of how and why it was written and/or performed.

What kind of student is this course suitable for?

Anyone who has a keen interest in creating and listening to different styles of music and who wishes to broaden their experience and deepen their understanding of both live and recorded music. There will be opportunities throughout the course for detailed study of music composed in both classical and popular styles.

What examinations will I have to take to get my qualification?

AS
AS is short for Advanced Subsidiary. This is the first half of the Advanced GCE course. It is a stepping-stone to the full Advanced GCE qualification. You can take the AS on its own after a year if you and your teacher agree that this is best for you. You can even decide at the end of the AS course whether to continue and to complete the full Advanced GCE qualification.

The AS qualification consists of the following three units.

Unit 1: Performing (30% AS, 15% AS)

In this unit you will develop your skills as a musical performer. This could be as a soloist or a member of an ensemble or both. You can perform on any musical instrument or sing. Your choice of music can be in any style. Your assessed performance(s) can be a 5-6 minute piece or a combination of pieces totalling up to 6 minutes. These can be recorded throughout the course and will be assessed by your teacher.

Unit 2: Composition (30% AS, 15% AS)

In this unit you will learn the craft of composing. You will develop musical ideas in the form of original compositions and exercises. You will then compose a 3 minute composition in any style which will take the form of a 15hr exam. You will also write CD inlay notes about your composition in the form of a 1hr exam.

Unit 3: Developing Musical Understanding (40% AS 20% AS)

Throughout the course, you will be expected to develop and improve your listening skills. This unit is in three parts. In Section A you will develop skills in aural analysis by identifying musical features in a piece. In Section B you will compare and contrast musical features from selected set works and comment on their social and historical context. In Section C you will develop skills in understanding harmonic melodic features of unfamiliar music and also complete some chords on a stave.

Advanced GCE

The full Advanced GCE qualification is made up of the AS units plus three more units studied at a higher level. You don’t necessarily have to take the full Advanced GCE qualification; you can still get a certificate for the AS. Your teacher will advise you on what is best. If you do decide to take the second half of the course, it will cover the following three units.

Unit 4: Extended Performance (15% A2)

In this unit a 12 -15 minute performance will be assessed by your teacher. It can be recorded or re-recorded at any time during the course. Any instruments and/or voices are acceptable and you may perform as a soloist entirely and/or as part of an ensemble. Minimum level of performance should be Grade 6 ABRSM. Individual parts in ensemble playing should be of a similar level of difficulty.

Unit 5: Composition and Technical Study (15% A2)

In this unit you may choose to complete either one composition and one technical study or two compositions or two technical studies. Compositions are in the form of 15 hr exam and technical studies are in the form of a 3 hr exam.

Unit 6: Further Musical Understanding (20% A2)

This unit tests all the knowledge, understanding and skills you have developed across the whole course. You will take a listening test and will also be asked to answer written questions on the music you have studied.

How can I develop my full range of skills by doing this course?

As well as covering music at advanced level, the course will enable you to develop skills which could be essential to you in whatever you go on to do afterwards:

• Skill Typical activities
• Communication Discuss critically, in groups and in writing, your own and others’ compositions
• Improving Own Learning Plan a rehearsal/practice schedule and set targets for And Performance achievement
• Information Technology Use the Internet as a research tool Problem Solving Work out appropriate and practical interpretations of a score Working With Others Plan and take part in rehearsals and contribute towards
• group evaluation

What could I go on to do at the end of my course?
This AS/Advanced GCE in Music can lead to further study in music or performing arts in higher education at degree or HND level and may lead on to a career in music, media, education or the entertainment industry. To hold a qualification in music will show you as a diverse and interesting individual who will have good communication skills and be confident performers and very valuable assets to employers and universities.