AQA A-Level Music Curriculum Guide

Course Overview:

AQA A-Level Music is designed to deepen students' understanding and appreciation of music in a wide range of contexts. The course covers historical, analytical, and creative aspects, allowing students to develop skills in performing, composing, and appraising music.

Key Components:

Performing (Component 1)

• Duration: Minimum 10 minutes of performance

Students select a solo and/or ensemble pieces for performance.
Performance can be as a soloist or member of an ensemble.

Composing (Component 2)

Students must learn how to develop musical ideas, including extending and manipulating musical ideas, and compose music that is musically convincing through two compositions. One must be in response to an externally set brief (Composition 1) and the other a free composition (Composition 2).

The combined duration of the compositions must be a minimum of four and a half minutes.

Students must learn how to develop musical ideas, including extending and manipulating musical ideas, and compose music that is musically convincing through two compositions. One must be in response to an externally set brief (Composition 1) and the other a free composition (Composition 2). The combined duration of the compositions must be a minimum of four and a half minutes.

Appraising (Component 3)

• Listening exam assessing students' understanding of set works and wider musical context.

Sections include listening and appraising, dictation, and essay questions.

Units and Topics

Assessment:

There are seven areas of study:

1. Western classical tradition 1650–1910 (compulsory)
2. Pop music
3. Music for media
4. Music for theatre
5. Jazz
6. Contemporary traditional music
7. Art music since 1910.

Students must study Area of study 1 Western classical tradition 1650–1910 and choose two from Areas of study 2–7.

• Each component is assessed separately.
• External assessment of performance and composition.
• External examination for the appraising component.

Resources:

• Textbooks covering music theory, history, and analysis.

Sheet music, recordings, and online resources for set works. Online tuition software - Focus on Sound”.  Access to musical instruments, recording equipment, and composition software.

Teaching Strategies:

• Incorporate practical activities such as live performances, ensemble playing, and composition workshops.

Utilize listening exercises to develop critical listening skills and understanding of musical elements.
Encourage independent research, analysis of scores, and discussions on musical contexts.

Progression and Careers:

• A-Level Music can lead to further studies in music at higher education institutions.

Potential career paths include performing, composing, teaching, music production, music therapy, music journalism and many fields outside of the world of music.

Assessment Weighting:

• Component 1 (Appraising Music):40 %
• Component 2 (Performance): 35%
• Component 3 (Composing): 25%