In A Level Music you will further your understanding of musical styles and develop your skills in Composition and Performance. You will study a range of musical genres across time, analysing how the music is constructed and exploring its context and relationships to the world around it. Creative and expressive, yet academic and analytical, A Level Music will challenge you, inspire you, and hopefully make you think a little differently about music and its relationship to our world. It is an opportunity to embrace and express your creative passions but also critically evaluate a range of musical styles, and develop your analytical skills. As an A Level musician you may take on responsibilities within the musical community such as supporting ensembles, or even setting up and leading your own groups. A Level Music places a great emphasis on independent learning, preparing you well for university life. It is highly regarded as an academic subject by Oxbridge and other top universities. Students that have studied Music A Level go on to read a variety of subjects at degree level including Law, English, Economics, Psychology and Sciences. Students studying A Level Music in Year 12 are taught in a combined class alongside our Year 13 A Level Music students. Course content You will gain more experience of practical music making, including composition and both solo and group performance. You will also have the opportunity to study a wide range of music including The Western Classical tradition, Musical Theatre and music of the Twentieth Century.
We would expect you to achieve a grade 6 or above in GCSE Music and be grade 6 level on your instrument or voice and be working towards grade 5 theory - please come and have a discussion with the Music faculty. If you have not taken GCSE Music but are interested in pursuing A Level Music we would consider students who are at grade 6 on your instrument or voice and have passed or are working towards Grade 5 Theory – please come and have a discussion with the Music faculty. All students must have an APS of 4.5 or above.
Unit 1: Performing music Perform either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble for a mini-recital lasting 6-8 minutes (Option B) or 10-12 minutes (Option A). Externally assessed by a visiting examiner. 35% or 25% of the A Level course, depending on whether you choose Option A or B. Unit 2: Composing Compose 2 pieces of music lasting in total 4-6 (Option A) or 8-10 minutes (Option B) Externally assessed. 25% or 35% of the A Level course, depending on whether you choose Option A or B. Unit 3: Musical Appraising This unit explores a range of musical styles and traditions. Students will develop skills in musical analysis through three key areas of study: “The Western Classical tradition”, “Musical Theatre” and “Into the Twentieth Century”. The unit is assessed by a 2 hour 15 minute written paper. Externally assessed. 40% of the A Level course.
About Education Provider
| Region | East of England |
| Local Authority | Hertfordshire |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | Manland Way, Harpenden, AL5 4QP |
In A Level Music you will further your understanding of musical styles and develop your skills in Composition and Performance. You will study a range of musical genres across time, analysing how the music is constructed and exploring its context and relationships to the world around it. Creative and expressive, yet academic and analytical, A Level Music will challenge you, inspire you, and hopefully make you think a little differently about music and its relationship to our world. It is an opportunity to embrace and express your creative passions but also critically evaluate a range of musical styles, and develop your analytical skills. As an A Level musician you may take on responsibilities within the musical community such as supporting ensembles, or even setting up and leading your own groups. A Level Music places a great emphasis on independent learning, preparing you well for university life. It is highly regarded as an academic subject by Oxbridge and other top universities. Students that have studied Music A Level go on to read a variety of subjects at degree level including Law, English, Economics, Psychology and Sciences. Students studying A Level Music in Year 12 are taught in a combined class alongside our Year 13 A Level Music students. Course content You will gain more experience of practical music making, including composition and both solo and group performance. You will also have the opportunity to study a wide range of music including The Western Classical tradition, Musical Theatre and music of the Twentieth Century.
We would expect you to achieve a grade 6 or above in GCSE Music and be grade 6 level on your instrument or voice and be working towards grade 5 theory - please come and have a discussion with the Music faculty. If you have not taken GCSE Music but are interested in pursuing A Level Music we would consider students who are at grade 6 on your instrument or voice and have passed or are working towards Grade 5 Theory – please come and have a discussion with the Music faculty. All students must have an APS of 4.5 or above.
Unit 1: Performing music Perform either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble for a mini-recital lasting 6-8 minutes (Option B) or 10-12 minutes (Option A). Externally assessed by a visiting examiner. 35% or 25% of the A Level course, depending on whether you choose Option A or B. Unit 2: Composing Compose 2 pieces of music lasting in total 4-6 (Option A) or 8-10 minutes (Option B) Externally assessed. 25% or 35% of the A Level course, depending on whether you choose Option A or B. Unit 3: Musical Appraising This unit explores a range of musical styles and traditions. Students will develop skills in musical analysis through three key areas of study: “The Western Classical tradition”, “Musical Theatre” and “Into the Twentieth Century”. The unit is assessed by a 2 hour 15 minute written paper. Externally assessed. 40% of the A Level course.