United Kingdom Music Syllabus - Year 12/A Level

This syllabus outlines the topics and assessment methods for Music studies in the United Kingdom at the Year 12/A Level. Several exam boards offer A Level Music qualifications, including Edexcel, AQA, OCR, and Eduqas/WJEC. While the specific set works and assessment weightings may vary, the core skills of performing, composing, and appraising are central to all syllabi. This information draws primarily from the Edexcel syllabus and a Year 12 curriculum overview from Richard Hale School, supplemented by information about other exam boards.

Richard Hale School Year 12 Music Curriculum Overview:

This curriculum is structured by term:

• Autumn: Performance development, including solo work and stagecraft; analysis skills development, bridging the gap between GCSE and A Level; composition techniques in four-part vocal style, including harmony and part-writing. Assessment includes a class performance, short answer/theory papers, and a timed Bach chorale harmonization.
• Spring: Area of Study (AoS) 2: Popular Song and Jazz, exploring the origins of popular music, regional variations in American blues, and the role of publishers like Tin Pan Alley. AoS 4: Baroque religious music, covering sacred music from France, Italy, Germany, and England. Assessment includes research assignments, short essays, and longer essays (25 marks).
• Summer: Performance development, focusing on stamina and recital programming; free composition, including designing a composition brief; AoS 1: Classical Music, exploring the transition from late Baroque and the works of Beethoven, Haydn, and Mozart. Assessment includes a performance recital, a composition with a written brief, and short answer/essay questions.

Edexcel A Level Music (9MU0):

This syllabus is divided into three components:

• Component 1: Performing (30%): A public recital of at least eight minutes, showcasing solo or ensemble playing/singing, improvisation, or music technology realization. Recordings are submitted via an online platform.
• Component 2: Composing (30%): Two compositions, one to a Pearson-set brief and one free composition or another set brief. The combined duration must be at least six minutes. Scores and recordings are submitted.
• Component 3: Appraising (40%): A written exam (2 hours 10 minutes) covering musical elements, contexts, and language within six Areas of Study: Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Music for Film, Popular Music and Jazz, Fusions, and New Directions. Each area includes set works for in-depth study. The exam includes aural analysis, short answers, extended writing, and dictation.

Other Exam Boards:

Other exam boards like AQA, OCR, and Eduqas offer similar structures with variations in set works and assessment methods. For example, Eduqas emphasizes flexibility in specializing in either performing or composing. Cambridge International A Level Music also offers a syllabus with a focus on performance, composition, and aural analysis.

General Features of UK Music Syllabi:

• Performance: Developing technical proficiency, expressive control, and stylistic understanding on a chosen instrument or voice.
• Composition: Exploring various compositional techniques, responding to briefs, and developing original musical ideas.
• Appraising: Analyzing and evaluating music from different periods, genres, and styles, using appropriate musical vocabulary.
• Areas of Study: Exploring music within specific historical and stylistic contexts, often through set works.
• Aural Skills: Developing the ability to identify musical elements and features by ear.

This comprehensive overview provides a general framework for understanding the UK Music syllabus at the Year 12/A Level. Students should consult the specific syllabus of their chosen exam board for detailed information on set works, assessment criteria, and submission requirements.