Music A Level

Music is constantly evolving, inspiring creativity and expression in a way that few other subjects can. This course allows you to extend your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of musical styles and genres. A Level Music is rich in history and culture and encourages exploration through the eras.

Music has its own bespoke building boasting excellent facilities and practice rooms. The course is split into Performance, Composition and Appraisal and includes techniques of harmony and notation. For Performance you will prepare a public recital on your instrument/voice. Composition involves examining the process of composition and creating a piece of coursework. This may include external stimuli such as a poem, photograph or film. Appraisal develops aural awareness and demonstrates an in-depth knowledge and understanding of musical elements, musical contexts and musical language.

Studying Music gives you a great mix of employability skills and the music industry is growing exponentially including social, technical and business skills. Transferable skills, which enable you to work in careers not directly related to music, include critical thinking, problem solving, research, self-discipline, communication and teamwork, not to mention staying calm under pressure and organisational skills!

Component 1: Performing Music

Here you will perform music in one or both of the following ways: Instrumental/vocal: as a soloist, and/or as part of an ensemble.

You will have support from your instrumental teacher to devise a recital programme of between 6-12 minutes depending on which option you choose, at the end of the A Level course. The performance is assessed by an external examiner from Eduqas.

Component 2: Composing Music

Here you apply your knowledge and understanding of the musical elements, leading to the composition of two pieces. You may use Sibelius, Logic or other computer software, if you wish.

One composition is to an externally set brief: The briefs will be set by the exam board and the composition must reflect the musical language, techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition.

Depending on which option you choose you will either submit 2 or 3 pieces, one of which may be a ‘free’ composition. These are notated, recorded and submitted to the examination board.

You will also submit a composing log, detailing:

Your compositional intention, including the intended audience/occasion.

Details of the software and hardware used in the compositional process.

Component 3: Appraising Music

Here you will develop listening, analytical and essay writing skills, culminating in a written exam paper. The areas of study can also provide a rich source of material to work with when developing performance and composition skills.

There are seven areas of study, of which three are studied:

Western classical tradition 1750–1900 The Development of the Symphony (compulsory). This includes studying set works from the Classical and Romantic periods.

The group will then choose one of the following areas of study:

Rock and Pop music (1960-2000)

Musical Theatre (6 composers)

Jazz (1920-1960)

And one from:

Into the Twentieth Century

Into the Twenty-First Century

As with all linear A Levels, you will complete your coursework and written exam in the final year of study, meaning you have plenty of time to develop your skills and understanding and practice the techniques for appraising, performing and composing music.

In addition to the A Level entry requirements of 4 GCSEs at grade 4 including English Language and/or Maths, you will need Grade 5 standard in Music Theory and Performance (or audition).

You could progress to university, higher apprenticeship or employment.