Music in

Sixth Form

GCE A Level Music

BTEC Level 3 Music

You have two study options

• GCE A Level Music

• This is assessed through:

• Exam – 40%

• Performance – 35%

• Composition – 25%

• BTEC Level 3 Music

• This is assessed through coursework

GCE A Level Music

• The Exam

• Listening (56 marks)

• Analysis (34 marks)

• Essay (30 marks)

• 120 marks equating to 40% of the A Level

• Exam is taken at the end of Year 13

GCE A Level Music

• Performance

• A solo performance

• An ensemble performance

• A minimum of ten minutes of performance

• 50 marks equating to 35% of the A Level

• Coursework compiled during Year 12 and early in Year 13

GCE A Level Music

• Composition

• One composition to a brief (25 marks)

• One free composition (25 marks)

• A minimum of 5 minutes of music

• 50 marks equating to 25% of the A Level

• Coursework compiled during Year 12 and early in Year 13

GCE A Level Music

Musical Content

• There are SEVEN areas of study:

1. Western classical tradition 1650-1910

2. Pop Music

3. Music for media

4. Music for theatre

5. Jazz

6. Contemporary traditional music

7. Art music since 1910

• Area of study 1 is compulsory. Two further areas of study can be chosen from Areas of study 2-7

GCE A Level Music

General Information

• Skills developed during the course include:

• Listening to and appraising unfamiliar music

• Listening to and appraising set works

• Using appropriate musical language

• Using musical notation

• Performance techniques

• Composition techniques

BTEC Level 3 Music

• SIX units of study followed over two years

• THREE units in Year 12

• THREE units in Year 13

• Unit work is comprised of coursework ONLY

• Coursework is internally assessed

*Music Performance Techniques Modern Music in Practice

*Solo Music Performance Skills Music in the Community

*Working and Developing as a Music

Ensemble

Music Performance Session Styles

Aural Perception Skills Music Project

Classical Music in Practice Musical Theatre Performance

Composing Music Pop Music in Practice

Improvising Music Studying Music form Around the World

Improvising Music in a Jazz Style The Music Freelance World

Listening Skills for Music Technologists The Sound and Music Industry

Live Music Workshop Singing Techniques and Performance

Marketing and Promotion in the Music

Industry

Special Subject Investigation

*Music Performance Techniques is a mandatory unit (Year 12)

*Solo Music Performance Skills or Working and Developing as a Music Ensemble must be

chosen (Year 13)

BTEC Level 3 Music

Assessment and Grading

• All units are internally assessed to specific criteria

• Final grades awarded as:

• PASS

• MERIT

• DISTINCTION

• Learners who complete a unit but who do not meet ALL of the pass criteria are graded as UNCLASSIFIED

• Deadlines are set by the examining board and must be strictly adhered to

BTEC Level 3 Music

Evidence of Work

• Progress towards Learning Outcomes will be recorded through:

• Written assignments

• Presentations

• Practice diaries/blogs/vlogs

• Performances

• Recordings of work

• Supervisor observations

Music in the Sixth Form

Expectations

• Homework must be completed and handed in on time

• You must do regular practice on your instrument and

keep a log of this

• You should be having instrumental lessons

• You should listen to a broad range of music in your own

time

• You should join at least one extra curricular group