Launch event
Agenda • Introducing our specification • AS and A level reforms and new requirements • Our research and approach • Our specification • Performing – Content and Assessment • Composing – Content and Assessment • Appraising – Content and Assessment • Co-teachability • Support and resources • Next steps
Edexcel AS and A level Music now accredited! • We are delighted to announce that Ofqual has accredited our AS and A level Music specifications for first teaching from 2016. You can find copies of these on our website at http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/ed excel-a-levels/music-2016.html • Free support materials will include a Getting Started guide, course planner, schemes of work and mapping documents. We aim to publish these on our website in the coming weeks
Additional changes to the set works You may be aware that we received a change.org petition this • summer regarding the representation of female composers on our set works list for AS and A level Music We felt it was important to respond to this feedback, and have • engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, and our senior examining team, to choose female composers who would best fit the different criteria we have to work within, and would be most representative of the Areas of Study. We can confirm that we will be replacing some of the pieces listed in our specifications as a result We are committed to creating qualifications that are inclusive and • empowering for all candidates, and as such, we would like to thank all those who signed the petition for bringing this to our attention, and for helping us to select some alternative pieces of music
What does this mean for me? We appreciate that centres are currently making their decision • about which awarding organisation to choose for AS and A level Music qualifications, and we realise that making any changes at this stage may impact that decision. However, please do note that this change will not affect any other content within the accredited specifications and will not change the assessment structure of these qualifications We aim to publish a list of the proposed amendments to the set • works and wider listening lists on our website by mid-November. Extra assessment materials (for the Appraising component) will be released that feature the new set works. We look forward to sharing this list with you shortly
Inspiring the next generation of musicians • An engaging range of Set Works to nurture in-depth musical understanding • Suggested wider listening to build transferable appraising skills • An Anthology and CD containing sheet music and audio in one place • Clear performance and composition assessment grids to help you understand the standard • Progression for all • High-quality support , every step of the way
The A level reforms • All new AS and A levels will be assessed at the same standard as they are currently • All new AS and A levels will be fully linear • AS levels will be stand-alone qualifications • The content of the AS level can be a sub-set of the A level content to allow co-teachability, but marks achieved in the AS will not count towards the A level
Timeline 2015 2016 2017 2018 Current Summer Summer Final AS resit Spec series as series as and A2 normal normal exams New 2016 Specs in First First AS First A Spec centres teaching examinations level (AS level and first exams and 2-year teaching (1- A level) year A level) • The last available assessment for the current AS and A levels will be June 2017 • The reformed AS first assessment is 2017 and A level is 2018
Key requirements for Music from 2016 Students are required: • to develop and demonstrate their musicianship skills through performing, composing and appraising • to perform for a set amount of time • to compose either freely or to a set brief • to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of musical elements, musical contexts and musical language • study a minimum of 2 areas of study at AS and 3 at A level (WCM and non WCM)
Ofqual Requirements Performance • Must perform for a minimum of 6 minutes at AS and 8 minutes at A level • Minimum of one piece of music • Can play as a soloist and/or part of an ensemble • Performances must be completed between 1 March and submission (15 th May) in the year the student completes the qualification • Total performances under 6 minutes at AS and 8 minutes at A level will be awarded 0 marks • Externally assessed (marked) by the board
Ofqual Requirements Composition • Must compose at least 2 pieces • in response to a brief set by the awarding organisation, and/or • freely as the student chooses • Minimum total composition time (both pieces combined) • 4½ minutes at AS level and 6 minutes at A level • Total compositions under 4½ (AS) or 6 (A level) minutes will be awarded 0 marks. • Externally assessed (marked) by the board
Ofqual Requirements Appraising • Defined list of musical elements, contexts and language that must be included • Students are required to study a minimum of 2 Areas of Study at AS and 3 Areas of Study at A level: • at least one area of study must be drawn from music composed in the Western Classical Tradition with all or the majority being composed between 1650 and 1910 • at least one other area of study must not be drawn from the Western Classical Tradition
Ofqual Requirements Assessment Objectives Assessment Objective AS A Level Weighting Weighting AO1 Interpret musical ideas through 30% 25-35% performing, with technical and expressive control and an understanding of style and context. AO2 Create and develop musical 30% 25-35% ideas with technical and expressive control and coherence. AO3 Demonstrate and apply musical 15% 10% knowledge. AO4 Use analytical and appraising 25% 30% skills to make evaluative and critical judgements about music.
Our research Research carried out since 2012 with: • Teachers from schools across the country in face-to- face interviews, phone interviews, focus groups and surveys • Subject advisory group, including representatives from the teaching community and universities • Interviews with members of the ISM, MEC, NAMHE and Arts Council
Research Key findings • Performance – students should have the option to play solo and/or ensemble, there should be no minimum number of pieces, performance should be marked as a whole • Performance and composition should allow students to use any instrument(s) including voice and the use of technology • Composition should include a set brief and compositional techniques should be included in A level • Students should have the opportunity to study a wide range of music and be able to apply their appraising skills to contrasting styles of music via set works, only 2 or 3 Areas of study may narrow this
Our approach • Performances for any instrument(s)/voice or number of pieces, allowing improvisation and music technology • Composition will include a set brief at AS and A level, briefs assessing technique as part of A level to aid progression • Musical elements, contexts and language are taught through Areas of Study and set works to show real examples of how these are used within different types of music • Diverse and engaging musical content to allow students to have the confidence to perform, compose and appreciate different types of music • More Areas of Study to facilitate the wide range of music types, with fewer set works in each
Our design principles • Clear structure; no forbidden combinations or complex rules • Three components • Performing 30% NEA (coursework) • Composing 30% NEA (coursework) • Appraising 40% exam • Flexibility and choice of instrument(s), style and genre in performance and composition • Clear and easily applied mark schemes • Holistic approach to performing, composing and appraising
Overview of new AS level specification Component Overview Assessment Component 1 Total performance time of 6 minutes Total of 60 marks Performing Solo and/or ensemble 12 available for difficulty of pieces 30% NEA Component 2 2 compositions 2 pieces – 30 Composing 1 to set brief – min 2 minutes marks each 30% NEA 1 free or to set brief – min 2 minutes Total of 60 marks Together total min of 4½ minutes Component 3 6 Areas of Study with 2 set works in each Exam 1hr 30mins • Vocal Music Appraising Total 80 marks • Instrumental Music 40% exam • Music for Film • Popular Music and Jazz • Fusions • New Directions
Overview of new A level specification Component Overview Assessment Component 1 Total performance time of 8 minutes Total of 60 marks Performing Solo and/or ensemble 12 available for 30% NEA difficulty of pieces Component 2 2 compositions 2 pieces Composing 1 free or free choice brief – min 4 min 40 marks 30% NEA 1 brief assessing technique – min 1 min 20 marks Together total min of 6 minutes Total of 60 marks Component 3 6 Areas of Study with 3 set works in each Exam 2hrs • Vocal Music Appraising Total 100 marks • Instrumental Music 40% exam • Music for Film • Popular Music and Jazz • Fusions • New Directions
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