Music

Course summary

Why Study? This is an exciting and enriching course which is well respected by universities and other higher education establishments. The course allows you to stretch your musical skills to explore a variety of different musical styles through performing, composing and listening appreciation tasks. A-level Music is a mix of creative, practical, academic and analytical skills. It is suitable for those students who wish to extend the skills acquired at GCSE and for musicians who have achieved grade 5 on their chosen instruments. You will compose, listen to and analyse a wide variety of music from 1600 to the present day. All students need to be dedicated musicians as performance contributes a significant part of the course. Key Units/ Content: - Performance: In your first year you will perform pieces on an instrument (or instruments) of your choice. By the end of Y13, your performance recital should last for a minimum of 8 minutes (30%) - Composition: In both years you will compose two pieces, one will be in a style of your own choice/ or to a set brief and the second will be composed for one of the four briefs assessing technique set by the exam board in Y13. Both compositions need to last for a combined total of 6 minutes (30%) - Listening & Appraising: In each year you will study a selection of pieces which you will be asked about in an external listening examination. The genres you will study this year include; Film Music, Instrumental Music, Popular Music and Jazz, Vocal Music, Fusions and New Direction (40%)