Music

Course summary

Music develops practical skills in performing and composing as well as a deeper study of music history, theory and analysis. The core repertoire studied is classical music from 1750–1930, plus some musical theatre, but students perform and compose in a wide range of other styles. One of the exciting things about studying music is putting the theory into practice in your composition work. In performance you will continue with vocal or instrumental lessons (we offer heavily subsidised tuition at college) as you prepare for a solo assessed performance in year 13. You must perform in at least two different styles, but the repertoire choice is up to you. In composition, you will learn to compose music in the style of Classical and Romantic composers supported by detailed analysis of how this musical language works. In the second year you will develop your skills in free composition, writing music in any style of your choice. For exam we will explore three areas of study: • The Western Classical Tradition (e.g. Mozart, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Brahms & Mahler) This music is the cornerstone of Classical music – sophisticated yet accessible it is great fun to hear, study and play. • Musical Theatre (e.g. Rogers, Sondheim, Schonberg & Lloyd-Webber) Twentieth century musicals are enduringly popular and form a standard repertoire of songs that continues to be influential to the present day Into the Twentieth Century (e.g. Debussy, Poulenc, Stravinsky). • The music written in the first half of the twentieth century is varied and bold, with lots of styles from which students might take inspiration for their own compositions.