Music

About the course

Cambridge International AS and A Level Music encourages learners to develop their musical skills in a variety of music styles and traditions and build on their musical interests. Learners are encouraged to listen, compose and perform with understanding, analysis and confident communication. They learn to become independent and critical thinkers.

Assessment:

Candidates take components 1 and 2. Candidates can choose two components from 3, 4, or 5 during their A2 study year.

1: Listening Exam (compulsory)

2: Practical Coursework (compulsory)

3: Extended Performance Coursework

4: Extended Composition Coursework

There are three sections in the 2 hour Listening paper:

A: Compositional Techniques and Performance Practice

B: Understanding Music

C: Connecting Music

There are two compulsory elements: performing and composing. Candidates must complete:

-6–10 minute performance

-Two contrasting compositions, 1–2 minutes each internally assessed and externally moderated.

There are two parts to Extended Performance: -15–20 minute performance

-1000–1500-word research report Externally assessed

There are two parts to Extended Composition:

-6–8 minute composition

-1000–1500-word research report

There are two parts to Investigating Music:

5: Investigating Music Coursework

-2500–3000-word essay

-Up to 500-word reflective statement externally assessed

100 internally assessed and externally moderated

100 externally assessed

100 externally assessed

25% 25%

Characteristics of successful students

Students must be confident performers and have the discipline to work and practise independently. It is advantageous for students to be confident in reading staff notation and have some music theory skills.

Minimum entry requirements/prior learning

For AS Level: Grade 5 or above in chosen instrument/voice (exam certificate not necessary, students should be able to perform to this standard). For A Level: Grade 6 or above in chosen instrument/voice. Grade B or above in IGCSE/SPM English or History.

Further studies and careers

Essential for any conservatoire courses, music and some performing arts. It can provide an interesting fourth subject.

Reading list

Analysis

- Nicholas Cook: A Guide to Musical Analysis (Oxford, 1994). During your first year you will be required to study in detail Book 1 of Bach's Das wohltemperierte Clavier (The well-tempered Clavier), ed. Richard Jones (ABRSM, 1994);

- Edward Aldwell and Carl Schachter, Harmony and Voice Leading, 3rd edition (Wadsworth Publishing Co., 2002).

- William E. Caplin, Classical Form: A Theory of Formal Functions for the Instrumental Music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven(Oxford: OUP, 1998);

Harmony and Counterpoint

- The chorale harmonisations of J. S. Bach.

- Recommended edition: Dover (either Schubert’s Songs to Texts by Goethe or Complete Song Cycles).

- The Lieder of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Schumann

Many scores are also available to download for free from imslp.org.

History

- Nicholas Cook, Music: A Very Short Introduction(Oxford: OUP, 2000).

- Philip Bohlman: World Music: A Very Short Introduction(Oxford: OUP, 2002),

- The Cultural Study of Music: A critical introduction, ed. Martin Clayton, Trevor Herbert, and Richard Middleton (2nd edition, London: Routledge, 2012).

Many journals and other important research sources such as Grove's Dictionary are now available in electronic format, and you will have free online access to these once you are here.