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What does the Eduqas Composing component require, and how do Option A and Option B differ?

The Composing component (Component 2): its requirements under Option A and Option B (number of compositions, the set brief, the free composition, the Western Classical Tradition requirement, durations, marks and weightings), how it is assessed by Eduqas, and how the option choice fits with Performing.

An Eduqas A-Level Music answer to the Composing component (Component 2). Explains the requirements under Option A and Option B (number of compositions, the set brief, the free composition, the Western Classical Tradition requirement, durations, marks and weightings), how it is assessed, and how the option choice fits with Performing. Always confirm current briefs and requirements with your centre.

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  1. What this dot point is asking
  2. The two options
  3. The Western Classical Tradition requirement
  4. How the option fits with Performing
  5. How the composing assessment fits the course
  6. Try this

What this dot point is asking

Eduqas assesses composing through a folio of compositions (Component 2), taken under Option A or Option B. This dot point sets out what the component requires, the number of compositions, the set brief, the free composition, the Western Classical Tradition requirement, the durations, marks and weightings, how it is assessed (by Eduqas), and how the option choice fits with Performing, so you can plan the right folio. The briefs and free composition are covered in the other dot points. Always confirm the current briefs and requirements with your centre, because they are set annually and reviewed.

The two options

The Western Classical Tradition requirement

How the option fits with Performing

How the composing assessment fits the course

Composing assesses AO2 (creating and developing musical ideas with technical and expressive control). It is the smaller practical component under Option A and the larger under Option B. It is a folio of compositions with recordings and scores or detailed annotations, marked by Eduqas. Success comes from planning the folio to meet the briefs and the Western Classical Tradition requirement, developing ideas with control, and notating and submitting the work properly. The set brief, the Western Classical Tradition brief, the free composition and the submission are detailed in the other dot points.

Try this

Q1. Under Option A and Option B, how many compositions are required and how is Composing weighted? [Knowledge recall]

  • Cue. Option A: two compositions (a set brief and a free composition), Composing 25 percent, about 4 to 6 minutes. Option B: three compositions (a Western Classical Tradition brief, an area-of-study-linked composition, and a free composition), Composing 35 percent, about 8 to 10 minutes. Confirm with your centre.

Q2. What is the Western Classical Tradition requirement in the composing folio? [Short explanation]

  • Cue. At least one composition must relate to the Western Classical Tradition, normally the board-set symphonic brief, demonstrating stylistic understanding of late-eighteenth and nineteenth-century symphonic writing (the style of the set symphonies). Under Option B this brief is required.

Exam-style practice questions

Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.

Eduqas (course knowledge)4 marksOutline the requirements of the Composing component under Option A and Option B, including the Western Classical Tradition requirement. (Course-structure knowledge)
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Up to four marks. Under Option A, Composing is weighted less (25 percent): two compositions totalling about 4 to 6 minutes, one in response to a brief set by Eduqas and one free composition to the candidate's own brief, with at least one composition related to the Western Classical Tradition (normally the board-set symphonic brief). Under Option B, Composing is weighted more (35 percent): three compositions totalling about 8 to 10 minutes, including one to the board-set Western Classical Tradition brief, one linked to another area of study, and one free composition. You take the same option (A or B) in both components. Markers reward the correct number of compositions, the set and free briefs, the Western Classical Tradition requirement, the durations and weightings. They penalise mixing the options or omitting the Western Classical Tradition requirement. Always confirm the current briefs and requirements with your centre.

Eduqas (course knowledge)3 marksHow does the Composing option choice fit with Performing, and what should a candidate consider? (Course-structure knowledge)
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Up to three marks. You take the same option (A or B) in both components, so Option A pairs the smaller Composing (25 percent) with the larger Performing (35 percent), and Option B pairs the larger Composing (35 percent) with the smaller Performing (25 percent). A candidate should weight the larger practical component towards their stronger skill: a stronger composer takes Option B (the larger Composing); a stronger performer takes Option A. They should also consider the extra composition and longer duration that Option B demands. Markers reward the option logic and the point about weighting to strength. They penalise treating the options as independent or muddling the weightings.

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