Welcome to Music

Component 1: Composition (25%)

One composition to a brief and one free composition (25 marks)

  • A minimum of four and a half minutes of music in total is required.

Component 2: Performance (35%)

Solo and/or ensemble performing as an instrumentalist, or vocalist and/or music production (via technology).

  • A minimum of ten minutes of performance in total is required.

Component 3: Appraising music (40%)

Exam paper with listening and written questions using excerpts of music. What's assessed:

  • Listening
  • Analysis
  • Contextual understanding

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.

The areas of study provide an appropriate focus for students to appraise, develop and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of musical elements, musical contexts and musical language. The areas of study can also provide a rich source of material for your students to work with when developing performance and composition skills.

Year 12 Curriculum Map | Year 13 Curriculum Map