Music 

Activity 1: 

New for September 2025, Year 12 will be studying the Eduqas A-Level syllabus. 

Firstly, you need to be familiar with the meanings of musical terms and be able to recognise them in pieces of music. Use the linked pdf to keep these keywords fresh in your minds over summer. 

MELODY	Ascending and Descending Conjunct and Disjunct Sequence Ornamentation – trills, mordents, acciaccaturas, appoggiaturas
RHYTHM, METRE AND TEMPO	Simple and Compound time signatures All Note and Rest lengths Syncopation, Hemiola, Dotted, Triplets Performance terms and speeds
DYNAMICS	Terms from pp to ff sfz
TEXTURE	Monophonic Homophonic Polyphonic Imitation Counterpoint
INSTRUMENTATION	Make-up and role of all sections (strings, woodwind, brass, percussion) Playing Techniques (glissando, brass mutes, pedalling) Articulation (staccato, accents, legato)
GENRES	Reading and writing treble and bass clef notation
HARMONY	Diatonic Functional Inversions Pedals Cadences 7th Chords Circle of 5ths Chromaticism Suspensions
TONALITY	Key signatures up to 5 sharps and 5 flats Major/Minor Related Keys and their Function (Relative Major/Minors)
STRUCTURE	Sonata Form

Activity 2: 

In September, we will be starting with Area of Study D: Jazz. Jazz has a long history with a variety of styles but there are some common features across that time. Use the linked worksheet to learn these terms and complete a Listening Diary below indicating which pieces you have listened to and noting which of these core features are present in each. 

 A recommended listening list is provided below, but you are encouraged to go beyond it and find pieces or artists that you personally enjoy or find interesting. 

Activity 3: 

Finally, as part of the NEA for A-Level, learners are required to give a performance consisting of at least two pieces. In order to give yourself the best chance of securing top marks, these pieces should be of a Grade 7 standard. 

So keep up your instrument practice. You don’t need to decide on a piece straightaway, but start exploring potential repertoire with your instrument teacher. 

Work to be submitted to: 

Bring your completed work to the first lesson in September.