Years 12 and 13 AS/A2 Music Curriculum Plan

Course Outline

OCR H142/H542

Units of Assessment
G351 AS Performing Music 1 120 marks
G352 AS Composing 1 90 marks
G353 AS Introduction to Historical Study in Music 90 marks
G354 A2 Performing Music 2: Interpretation 120 marks
G355 A2 Composing 2 90 marks
G356 A2 Historical and Analytical Studies 90 marks

AS (Lower 6th)
Unit G351: Performing Music 1 (120 marks)
OCR-assessed Examination (Visiting Examiner)
Section A Recital: Solo Performing (maximum 8 minutes) (60 marks)
Section B Viva voce: Discussion (approximately 5 minutes) (20 marks)
Section C Extended Performing: one of
performing on a second instrument (maximum 4 minutes)
performing on the recital instrument in a duet or ensemble, or as an accompanist (maximum 4 minutes)
performing own composition (maximum 4 minutes)
improvisation (maximum 2 minutes plus 10 minutes preparation time) (40 marks)

Unit G352: Composing 1* (90 marks)
Teacher-assessed Portfolio
Section A: The Language of Western Tonal Harmony: seven exercises: harmonization of a melodic line in 2pt Baroque/Classical style with at least two exercises in a complete texture and one under controlled time (one hour) (45 marks)
Section B: Instrumental Composition (maximum 3 minutes) (45 marks)

Unit G353 Introduction to Historical Study in Music (90 marks)
Timed Examination Paper (1 hour 45 minutes + 15 minutes preparation time)

Section A: Aural Extract: one of solo instrumental chamber music or orchestral repertoire from the period 1700 to 1830
popular instrumental music from 1900 to the present day (30 marks)

Section B: Prescribed Works: two extracts 18th/early 19th century Orchestra
Jazz 1920 to 1960 (40 marks)
Section C: Contextual Study: one question from three (20 marks)

PRESCRIBED WORKS FOR JUNE 2009 - JANUARY 2012
The 18th/early 19th Century Orchestra Jazz 1920-60
J.S. Bach: Orchestral Suite (Overture) no. 3 in D, BWV 1068 (Overture, Air & Gigue) Jelly Roll Morton: Black Bottom Stomp (1926) from Jelly Roll Morton, Chicago Days, 1926-27, Jazz Archives 158942 (ASIN B000024UIR)
Mozart: Concerto in A for clarinet & orchestra, K.622, 3rd movement Count Basie: Jumpin' at the Woodside (1938) from One O'clock Jump: Original 1936-1939 recordings, Naxos Jazz Legends 8.120662 (ASIN B000088DU3)
Schubert: Symphony no.8 in b, D.759 (‘Unfinished'), 1st movement
Miles Davis: So What from Kind of Blue (1959), Sony Jazz CK64935 (ASIN B000024F6G)

A Level (Upper 6th)

Unit G354: Performing Music 2 (Interpretation) (120 marks)
OCR-assessed Examination (Visiting Examiner)

Section A Recital: solo, ensemble or accompanying (maximum 15 minutes) (100 marks)

Section B Viva voce: Interpretive understanding (approximately 5 minutes) (20 marks)

Unit G355: Composing 2* (90 marks)
Teacher-assessed Portfolio

Section A Stylistic Techniques: Eight exercises (of which one under controlled time) based on one of:
Two-part counterpoint of the late 16th century
Two-part Baroque counterpoint
Chorale harmonisations in the style of J.S. Bach
String quartets in the Classical Style
Keyboard accompaniments in early Romantic style
Popular song
Serialism
Minimalism (45 marks)

Section B Composition: one of:
Vocal setting of a text (maximum 120 words or 4 stanzas)
Instrumental interpretation of a programme (maximum 4 minutes)
Music for film/TV (maximum 4 minutes) (45 marks)

Unit G356: Historical and Analytical Studies in Music (90 marks)
Timed Examination Paper (1 hour 45 minutes + 15 minutes preparation time)

Section A Aural Extract: accompanied vocal music 1900-1945 (40 marks)

Section B Prescribed Historical Topics: two questions from three on one of six topics:
Song
Programme Music
Music for Screen
Music and Belief
Music for the Stage
Post-1945 Popular Music (50 marks)

Click here for a link to the full AS/A level specification.

The department uses Sibelius 4 software for all its composing requirements.

Accessing musical examples - FREE via the Internet
Pupils should become familiar with music from many periods and genres. It is recommended that pupils listen to a wide range of music.
By downloading the programme here pupils will be able to listen to a whole range of music freely on their home PCs.
Friends and parents may also be interested in this useful resource!