Complete WJEC A-Level Music specification revision resources. Tailored syllabus coverage with topic breakdowns, quizzes, and practice questions.
Overview
WJEC A-Level Music is a vibrant and challenging course that develops your skills as a performer, composer and critical listener. You will explore a diverse range of music, from the classical masterpieces of the Western tradition to the energetic styles of rock, pop, jazz and musical theatre, as well as innovative 20th and 21st-century works. The course is designed to deepen your understanding of how music is constructed and performed, while giving you the freedom to focus on your own interests as a musician.
Central to the qualification is the study of set works, which provide a rich foundation for analysis and appreciation. Through these, you'll learn to identify key musical features, understand historical and cultural contexts, and evaluate performances and compositions. You'll also have the opportunity to hone your performance skills on your chosen instrument or voice, and to craft original compositions using a range of techniques, including those modelled on the styles you've studied.
Structured around three interconnected components—Performing, Composing and Appraising—the WJEC specification ensures a balanced approach to music education. Whether you aspire to study music at university, pursue a career in the arts, or simply deepen your passion, this A-Level provides a robust platform. It encourages independent learning, creativity and a lifelong appreciation for music in all its forms.
Why Choose WJEC for Music?
WJEC offers a flexible performing component, allowing you to choose between a solo-focused option (Option A) or an ensemble-focused option (Option B) with a shorter solo, catering to different musical strengths and interests.
The specification features a broad and engaging range of set works, spanning classical, popular, jazz and modern styles, making the course relevant and motivating for students with diverse musical tastes.
Clear and structured composition briefs, combined with a free composition element, provide a supportive framework that encourages creativity while ensuring you meet the assessment criteria – an approach that many find less intimidating than entirely open-ended briefs.
Assessment & Exam Structure
The WJEC A-Level Music qualification is assessed through three components: Component 1: Performing (35% of the A-Level, 105 marks) – a non-exam assessment where you submit a recording of a performance lasting 10–12 minutes, either as a soloist and/or as part of an ensemble. Component 2: Composing (25%, 75 marks) – non-exam assessment requiring you to produce two compositions, one in response to a brief set by WJEC and one free composition, with a total duration of 4–6 minutes. Component 3: Appraising (40%, 120 marks) – a written examination lasting 2 hours 15 minutes, comprising listening and appraising questions on set works and unfamiliar music from the areas of study.
Specification Topics
- Performing (AS) — Solo, Ensemble and Improvisation
- Composing (AS) — Western Classical brief composition and free composition
- The Western Classical Tradition Part 1: The Symphony 1760–1830 (set work: Haydn, Symphony No. 103)
- The Western Classical Tradition Part 1: Religious Choral Music 1730–1800 (set work: Mozart, Requiem)
- Rock and Pop 1965–1990 (Pop/Funk/Disco, Rock/Prog/Heavy Metal, Soul, Country)
- Musical Theatre — Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Jazz 1940–1965 (Big Band/Swing, Be-bop, Cool)
- Performing (A2) — Option A (22%) or Option B (14%): Solo, Ensemble and Improvisation
- Composing (A2) — Option A (14%) or Option B (22%): Western Classical brief, area-of-study linked, and free compositions
- The Western Classical Tradition Part 2: The Symphony 1830–1910 (set work: Brahms, Symphony No. 1)
- The Western Classical Tradition Part 2: Religious Choral Music 1800–1890 (set work: Verdi, Requiem)
- Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries — Impressionism (set work: Debussy/Boulanger; subsidiary: Debussy, Ravel)
- Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries — Chamber Music in Wales (set work: Plowman/Heneghan; subsidiary: Wilson-Dickson, Samuel)
- Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries — Popular Music in Wales (Gruff Rhys, Super Furry Animals, Manic Street Preachers, Kizzy Crawford)
- Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries — American Musical Theatre (Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz)
- Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries — Jazz Legends (Duke Ellington, Miles Davis)
Top Exam Board Tips
- Select repertoire that demonstrates your highest performing skills and fits the Grade 5 standard
- Ensure the total performance time is at least 6 minutes to avoid mark deductions
- Provide clear, clean copies of music or detailed lead sheets for the examiner
- If singing and accompanying yourself, decide clearly whether you are being assessed on both or just one part
- Prepare an improvisation stimulus (e.g., chord sequence or scale) if choosing the improvisation option
- Ensure the Western Classical composition demonstrates understanding of Baroque, Classical, or Romantic era conventions
- Use the non-assessed composition log to document the process of development and refinement
- Ensure all recordings are in mp3 format (max 20MB per file)
- Teachers must verify work in progress on three occasions
- Ensure the free composition brief allows for sufficient development to meet assessment objectives
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Performing pieces that are too easy or too difficult for the required Grade 5 standard without considering the scaling adjustments
- Failing to provide a score or detailed lead sheet for the examiner
- Using a click track or metronome during the assessment
- Performing for less than the minimum 6-minute requirement, leading to mark penalties
- Lack of clear ensemble skills when performing as part of a group
- Submitting pieces that do not reflect the Western Classical style for the set brief
- Over-reliance on pre-recorded samples or loops
- Failure to acknowledge secondary source materials or musical quotes