Music

Students will study set works taken from the key periods of Music History. They will use these set pieces as an inspiration for their own composition and performance portfolio and consider and use the techniques of recent and past composers. They will be required to relate studied scores to their own creative work and recognise features of genre and period character.

Students will learn how to be creative and explore new techniques of performing and composition. They will expand their analytical skills and score reading in order to increase their understanding and appreciation of wider genres of Music. Students will learn how to think critically about their own work and be able to refine and develop their ideas with reflection on their own research of studied scores and composers. Students will learn how to present their performance work in a recital setting with careful thought about suitable repertoire containing interest and contrast.

There are 3 units to be assessed:
Unit 1: Appraising Music - Listening, analysis and contextual understanding. - 40% of A Level

Unit 2: Performance - Solo and/or ensemble performing on an instrument or vocalist and/or music production. - 35% of A Level

Unit 3: Composition - Composition 1 - composing to a brief set by the examination board. - Composition 2 - Free choice of composition brief. - A minimum of four and a half minutes of music in total is required. - 25% of A Level

Successful students often go on to study Music at degree level or an equivalent. Students have recently gone to the Royal Northern College of Music. Students may choose to enter into the teaching profession to study for a joint teaching degree in Music. Other students have gone straight into professional performing and composing or into arts administration. Students who enter straight into employment will be recognised by employers as being resilient, confident, critical thinkers, promoting positive values and team work.