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  • Music - H143, H543 (from 2016)

AS and A Level Music - H143, H543 Teaching from 2016

Music - H143, H543 (from 2016)

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Specification at a glance

  • A Level

  • AS Level

Assessment overview

Students must complete three components (01, 03, and 05, or 02, 04 and 05) to be awarded the OCR A Level in Music.

ComponentMarksDurationWeightinginsert text

Performing A (01)

75-25%Recital minimum six minutes, two contrasting pieces. Externally assessed via audio-visual recording.

Performing B (02)

105-35%Recital minimum ten minutes, three contrasting pieces. Externally assessed via audio-visual recording.
Section 1: Free choice; Section 2: Focused study.

Composing A (03)

105-35%Two pieces and three short technical exercises, minimum combined duration of eight minutes. Externally assessed via audio-visual recording.

Composing B (04)

75-25%Two pieces, minimum combined duration of four minutes. Externally assessed via audio-visual recording.

Listening and appraising (05)

1202 hours 30 mins40%Written exam including aural extracts.

Content overview

Students study at least four out of six areas of study: areas 1 and 2, and at least two more from 3—6:

  • Area of study 1: Instrumental music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven
  • Area of study 2: Popular song: blues, jazz, swing and big band
  • Area of study 3: Developments in instrumental jazz, 1910 to the present day
  • Area of study 4: Religious music of the baroque period
  • Area of study 5: Programme music, 1820—1910
  • Area of study 6: Innovations in music, 1900 to the present day.

Component 01: Performing A

(Must be combined with component 03: Composing A.)

Students perform at least two contrasting pieces. They make use of musical elements, techniques and resources to interpret and communicate musical ideas with technical and expressive control and an understanding of style and context. The pieces may relate to one or more of the areas of study.

Component 02: Performing B

(Must be combined with component 04: Composing B.)

Students perform at least three pieces. They make use of musical elements, techniques and resources to interpret and communicate musical ideas with technical and expressive control and an understanding of style and context. The pieces may relate to one or more of the areas of study.

Component 03: Composing A

(Must be combined with component 01: Performing A.)

Students make use of musical elements, techniques and resources to create and develop musical ideas with technical control and expressive understanding. They produce two compositions:

  • A composition in response to a set brief from OCR
  • A composition in response to a brief set by the student.

They also produce three technical exercises, which must relate to an area of study of the student’s choice.

Component 04: Composing B

(Must be combined with component 02: Performing B.)

Students make use of musical elements, techniques and resources to create and develop musical ideas with technical control and expressive understanding. They produce two compositions:

  • A composition in response to a set brief from OCR
  • A composition in response to a brief set by the student.

Component 05: Listening and appraising

Through the investigation and in-depth study of the large variety of music contained in the areas of study, students develop their knowledge and understanding of the interrelated elements, language and contexts of music.

Download A Level specification

Assessment overview

ComponentMarksDurationWeightinginsert text

Performing (01)

75-30%Recital minimum six minutes, two contrasting pieces. Externally assessed via audio-visual recording.

Composing (03)

75-30%Two pieces, minimum combined duration four and a half minutes. Externally assessed via audio recording.

Listening and appraising (05)

1002 hours 30 mins40%Written exam including aural extracts.

Students must complete all components (01, 02, and 03) to be awarded the OCR AS Level in Music.

Content overview

Students study at least four out of six areas of study: areas 1 and 2, and at least two more from 3–6:

  • Area of study 1: Instrumental music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven
  • Area of study 2: Popular song: blues, jazz, swing and big band
  • Area of study 3: Developments in instrumental jazz, 1910 to the present day
  • Area of study 4: Religious music of the baroque period
  • Area of study 5: Programme music, 1820—1910
  • Area of study 6: Innovations in music, 1900 to the present day.

Component 01: Performing

Students perform at least two contrasting pieces. They make use of musical elements, techniques and resources to interpret and communicate musical ideas with technical and expressive control and an understanding of style and context. The pieces may relate to one or more of the areas of study.

Component 03: Composing

Students make use of musical elements, techniques and resources to create and develop musical ideas with technical control and expressive understanding. They produce two compositions:

  • A composition in response to a set brief from OCR
  • A composition in response to a brief set by the student.

Component 05: Listening and appraising

Through the investigation and in-depth study of the large variety of music contained in the areas of study, students develop their knowledge and understanding of the interrelated elements, language and contexts of music.

Download AS Level specification
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