Eduqas A Level

Music
The Course
 3 Components – Performing, Composing and Appraising~

 Component 1: Performance
 35% or 25% of the A Level, depending on which area in which you specialise.
 35% = 12 minute recital at the end of Year 13, visiting examiner
 25% = 8 minute recital at the end of Year 13, visiting examiner
The Course
 Component 2: Composition
 35% or 25% of the A Level, depending on which area in which you specialise.
 35% = Three compositions, one of which must be in a Western Classical style (8-10
minutes combined).
 25% = Two compositions, one of which must be in a Western Classical style (4-6
minutes combined).
The Course
 Component 3: Appraising
 40% of the A Level.
 A written exam covering Musical Theatre; Keys/Chords/Cadences; Haydn 104; The
Development of the Symphony from 1750-1900
The Areas of Study
The Western Classical Tradition

Musical Theatre

Intothe 20th Century (Covered in Year

13 with 2 set works)
Area of Study A: The Western
Classical Tradition
Two symphonic set works: Haydn 104 and Mendelssohn 4.

The Haydn will be learnt in detail whilst the Mendelssohn will

be briefly studied
Area of Study A: The Western
Classical Tradition
 Youwill demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
How musical elements are used in the symphony.
The use of instrumentation and development of the orchestra in the
period.
Important symphonic composers and landmark works in the period.
How and why symphonies were commissioned during the period.
How the symphony developed through the period.
The programme symphony/symphonic poem.
Reading and writing staff notation.
Chords and chord symbols.
 The Western Classical Tradition
 LISTENING TASK

 Listen to the first movement of Haydn’s Symphony 104. Using the headings on your
handout, make comments on what you can identify:

Instruments; Rhythm and Metre; Melody; Harmony and Tonality and any other point of
interest.
 Musical Theatre
 You will study the music of six composers:
 Richard Rodgers
 Leonard Bernstein
 Stephen Sondheim
 Claude-Michel Schoenberg
 Andrew Lloyd Webber
 Stephen Schwartz
Musical Theatre
 You will gain an understanding of:
 How musical elements are used in musical theatre.
 The relationship between lyrics and music.
 Music for different types of characters.
 Types of song.
 The role of the orchestra.
 Genres of musical theatre.
 The effect of audience, time and place on musical theatre.
 The purpose and intention of the composer/performer.
 How musical theatre has changed over time.
 Activity - Musical Theatre
Listento ‘I’d Give My Life For You’, from Claude-Michel Schoenberg’s Miss
Saigon.

Describe the instrumental introduction before the singing starts.

Comment on the vocal writing in the song.

How does the composer use different musical elements to create

suspense?

The song describes a mother’s devotion to her young child she risks
losing during the Vietnam War. How is the song suitable for this purpose?