Head of Department: D F Lawson Board: EDEXCEL(1426)
Edexcel Music (1426)
Unit 1 Performing 30% Unit 2 Composing 30% Unit 3 Listening and Appraising 40%
Am I a suitable candidate?
This qualification is suitable for you if you play an instrument to grade III standard at the start of the course. Those who play drum kit only will struggle to explore the full range of opportunities offered by the three Units. It is important to remember that this is not a qualification in ‘my favourite music’. The course demands involvement in, and familiarity with, music in a number of different styles.
Unit 1 Performing
i) Solo Performing 15% One solo, of an undoubled part, with or without accompaniment, in any style. No minimum time limit, but the performance should be of sufficient length to adequately demonstrate the performer’s ability.
ii) Ensemble Performing 15% One ensemble performance, or the direction of an ensemble, in any style. The candidate’s part may not be doubled.
These performances, or the direction of an ensemble, may be recorded anytime during the course. There is scope for the use of Music Technology and candidates may perform an own composition if they wish.
An ensemble is defined as two or more people performing independent parts together, with or without an accompaniment. A candidate may perform on two different instruments.
Deadline: End of Lent Term 2011
Unit 2 Composing (Coursework) 30%
Two pieces of music composed or arranged during the course in response to Areas of Study followed in Unit 3. Each composition must be recorded and notated, and candidates should take care to keep records of the process of composition in the form of sketches and/or annotations. Each composition must be from a different Area of Study. Compositions are assessed in relation to a set of specified criteria.
Deadline: End of Lent Term
Unit 3 Listening and Appraising 40%
Candidates sit a 90 minute written paper in May, divided into Paper A and Paper B, in which they are asked to respond to all four Areas of Study shown below:
• Structure in Western Classical Music 1600 – 1899 • Changing Directions in Western Classical Music from 1900 • Popular Music in Context • Indian Raga, African Music and Fusions.
Each Area of Study contains three set works, and in Paper A candidates will be tested on their ability to identify specific features and techniques, and relate these to other musical concepts and ideas. In Paper B candidates choose one of two given questions, in which they will be required to demonstrate their familiarity with their set works and the musical context from which each work comes.