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Music

Music

This A-Level is offered as a two year qualification.  The course aims to develop the skills of performing, composing, listening and analysis. Students are able to develop all these skills in both years of the course.

Music is a highly creative subject, developing the skills of presentation, communication, critical listening and analysis. Students have to work under pressure and to strict deadlines. As a result, numerous students have pursued careers in the Music Industry as well as Medicine, Law and Teaching.

You will have the chance to attend a bi-annual Music tour to a European city where you will have the opportunity to develop your creative skills; perform in our school productions; attend Concerts both internal and external; attend Composing Workshops where your work will be performed by a professional group of musicians.  Extra revision classes/ one-to-one support/ intervention sessions are all available to students.

5 GCSEs at 9 – 5. GCSE Music is not a prerequisite for this course (but it is useful). The course is available to anyone who reads music and performs to approximately Grade 5 standard.

• Perform a recital (programme of music) lasting eight minutes. To perform to a standard of Grade 7 by the end of the second year (30%).
• Compose 1 composition either to a set brief (choice of six from classical to film music) or your own.  You must also create an arrangement from a given stimulus. Together both pieces must last six minutes (30%).

Examples of composition briefs include:
• Compose a piece for string quartet in Minuet and Trio form
• Compose a piece for piano in Sonatina form
• Compose a piece of film music titled ‘Pirates’

Listen and analyse music across six areas of study:
• Instrumental music
• Vocal music
• Music for film
• Popular music and Jazz
• Fusions (combination of two different styles of music)
• New directions (Music of the 20th and 21st Century)

Students will sit a two hour exam.  Section A will focus on listening with section B providing two extended questions (essays) on analysis of works studied.
Students will also be expected to answer questions on wider listening and personal study (40%).

The Examination Board for this course is Edexcel.
Students must be committed to taking part in the wide range of extra-curricular music activities offered. Students can enjoy state of the art resources using the latest score writing software. There are numerous opportunities to take advantage of composing/performing workshops at no additional charge. The department offers a bi-annual residential to enrich the musical development of its students.

For further information, please contact - Mr S Corner / [email protected]