Barking Abbey School

Sequencing (40%)
The context for this section will be the study of the developments of music technology and music from the western classical tradition. You will complete a structured commentary related to the music from the Western Classical tradition that they have sequenced. The structured commentary will be completed on a set date under supervised conditions.

You will learn the skills required to produce a range of musical styles using sequencing software (cubase). You will produce two contrasting pieces from the western tradition from any musical idiom.
Arranging & improvising using music technology (30%)
For this section you will study music within a third area of study, which is popular music and jazz. The understanding of this area will form part of the written assessment in part b.

You will be required to make an arrangement of two short pieces of music;
The first arrangement will be developed from a short melody or folk tune using a computer sequencing and notation package. The arrangement will be for between four and six instruments lasting for 32 – 64 bars. You must produce a finished full score and parts containing performance details and markings.

The second task can be thought of as an improvised arrangement that is developed aurally using technology to record and structure the musical ideas. The style of this piece must be from the popular music and jazz area of study.

Part (b) Written Work

Listening and Analysing (30%)
In this part of the AS unit you will be required to demonstrate your ability to listen to unfamiliar music related to Area of Study 1 (the development of music technology) and Area of Study 3 (popular music and jazz), and to analyse musical, technical and stylistic features.

You will sit a 2 hour exam in which you will answers questions related to the areas above. One question will require you to put the music in a broader cultural and social context.