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WHY STUDY THIS SUBJECT?

The A level Music course gives 
students the chance to develop their skills in three key areas of music – performance, composition and analysis.

This diverse course caters to dedicated musicians from all backgrounds, from classically-trained orchestral performers to rock, or pop-inspired songwriters.

You will have access to industry standard sequencing and scoring software as well as a purpose-built recording studio.

You will also have the opportunity to join the school’s exciting extra-curricular programme of concerts, Battle of the Bands and whole school musical productions.

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You will require a Grade 4 or higher in GCSE Music.

Specialist tuition on your chosen instrument is essential and you 
should aim to be at Grade 5  standard at the start of this course.

SYLLABUS

YEAR 12

Component 1: Appraising music

Analysis of excerpts of music from two Areas of Study (AoS). 
One AoS must be the Western Classical Tradition. There is a choice for the second AoS, including Pop Music, Jazz, and Music for
Media.

In the exam, you must demonstrate your understanding of these AoS through answering shorter  questions and four extended answers on these excerpts, but also on unfamiliar pieces of music.

Component 2: Performance

You will be required to perform a 6-minute recital in the Spring Term in one or more of the following formats:

  • A solo performance (instrumental or vocal).
  • An ensemble performance (instrumental or vocal).
  • A sequenced performance through use of our sequencing software.

Component 3: Composition

In the Autumn term, we will work on a composition portfolio so that a variety of composition techniques are developed before commencing a piece of non-examined assessment.

Compose a 3 minute composition. This is a ‘free composition’, so it can be a piece of music of your choice.

YEAR 13

Component 1: Appraising music

Analysis of excerpts of music from three Areas of Study (AoS). One AoS must be the Western Classical Tradition. There is a choice for the second AoS, including Pop Music, Jazz, and Music for Media. (You would have studied two of these AoS in Year 12).

In the exam, you must demonstrate your understanding of these AoS through answering shorter  questions and six extended answers on these excerpts, but also on unfamiliar pieces of music.

Component 2: Performance

Submit a 10-minute performance portfolio in one or more of the following formats:

  • A solo performance (instrumental or vocal).
  • An ensemble performance (instrumental or vocal).
  • A sequenced performance through use of our sequencing software.

Component 3: Composition

Submit two compositions, both of which must last for a minimum of 4 and half minutes:

  • Composition 1: Composition to a brief (such as a film clip, a video game, song lyrics, a chord sequence, and a rhythmic pattern to name a few).
  • Composition 2: Free composition (You may compose a piece of music of your choice).

You would have started this composition in Year 12 but will be given time to improve it during Year 13.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED AND EXAMINED?

At A2 Level you will be required to prepare a longer musical recital, create a composition portfolio compiling of two different compositions and continue to develop your ability to analyse musical features and identify them from extracts of music.

FUTURE COURSES AND POSSIBLE CAREERS

Studying A level Music will provide you with a vast array of skills suitable for a range of future courses and careers, including music performance, musical theatre, freelance composition, music therapy and teaching performing arts.

In addition, these qualifications will enrich your A level studies that universities and future employers will value; your ability to compose to exact specifications will show your creativity and your skills at thinking outside the box; your ability to perform a recital will show the culmination of your journey of building confidence, pride and risk taking to produce a final performance; and the requirement of identifying musical features will demonstrate your ability to pick out patterns and sounds that need analysing.

Whether you are deciding to take a job in the music industry or not, Music will develop valuable skills for future employment.

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