Music

Music can change the way that people feel and act. It can provide opportunities for personal expression, reflection, and emotional wellbeing. It develops thinking, increases perception, imagination and creativity and physical coordination: skills which can then be transferred to other areas of experience and learning.

Course Content 

The A level Music course allows students to fully explore the possibilities within the subject. The subject requires engagement with all genres of music and an analytical approach to assessing, comparing and contrasting different musical styles.

This qualification is sub-divided into the following three disciplines; Performance, Composition and Developing Musical Understanding (Appraising). Students will be required to work in all of the disciplines to communicate their musicianship skills. By working across disciplines, they will extend their understanding of compositional and performance processes and learn how to analyse and comment appropriately on a diverse range of musical genres.

Component 1 – Performance. This unit gives students opportunities to perform as soloists and/or part of an ensemble. Any instrument(s) and/or voice(s) are acceptable as part of a 6-10 minute assessed performance.

The A level Performance component is recorded at a private recital evening held in the Lent Term for an invited, small audience.

Students plan their performance programme early in the year in order to work towards the concert date with their instrumental teachers and with regular independent practice.

Component 2 – Composition. This unit encourages students to develop their compositional skills leading to the creation of 2/3 compositions of a combined length of 4.5 – 8 minutes. The Externally Set Assignment incorporates a choice of briefs from the six areas of musical study. Preparatory studies comprise of a portfolio of independent listening and research of similar pieces that could be influential to the compositional process. At least one of the compositions must be in response to one of the briefs.

Component 3 – Appraising. Students study a variety of set works from six Areas of Study consisting of Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Music for Film, Popular Music and Jazz, Fusions and New Directions.

The diverse musical content supports learners in developing critical and creative thinking and cultural, aesthetic and emotional awareness whilst learning in-depth appraising skills in preparation for their assessments.

Is this course right for me?

If you have an interest and enjoyment of music and want to become familiar with and confident across a range of musical knowledge, key skills areas and vocabulary. You will benefit through a sense of enjoyment, achievement and discovery in the learning process and through performance.

Course highlights

Playing at numerous events and productions.

What can I do next?

A level Music can be taken further to study at degree level at University or College. This may lead into careers such as performing, teaching or composing music. Careers in Sound Production and Lighting also require the type of training that A level Music provides.

Music can also supplement your application for employment or further study. Our musicians have to demonstrate excellent discipline and commitment to their work that displays their skills that can be transferred into the workplace or place of study.

Subject minimum entry requirement

Minimum of Grade 5 standard or equivalent on your chosen instrument.

“I like the fact that Music is so different to the other subjects that I am doing. It makes a nice change.”

“Having to study pieces in depth sounds hard but it is actually very interesting, and you get a lot of ideas for your own composing.”

“A level Music has helped me in various ways, from practising my harmonisation skills, to analysing numerous pieces of Music from different genres. As challenging as it can be, it has taught me the importance of Music as a whole and how I can improve my performances.”

“A level Music has helped me to improve my confidence and ability to perform in front of an audience as either a soloist or in group performances.”]

For more information please contact:

Miss E Cockshott

Subject Leader of Music