Music A level provides an excellent all-round education in the varied aspects of music-making. Skill areas cover performing and composing as well as aural and historical analysis. It is a creative subject which provides opportunities to work in your own preferred styles, whilst retaining a focus on traditional western classical music.
Entry with:
GCSE grade B in Music and Grade 5 in an instrument or voice and basic keyboard skills. Strong musicians without GCSE Music will be considered.
- • The course has a large coursework element which enables students to work at length and in detail on their coursework submissions.
- • Practical music-making is integral to the course, both solo and ensemble playing required.
- • Excellent extra-curricular programme with regular concerts, both formal and informal, including many different styles of music.
- • Regular extension events designed both to stretch the most able students and also to broaden the cultural and musical experience of all students
Awarding body:
Edexcel
AS Level Units
The course includes the following:
• Performing – students will be assessed in solo or ensemble performance in both AS and A2 years (coursework: 30%).
• Composing – students will be assessed in composition (either stylistic or free) in both AS and A2 years (coursework: 30%).
• Analysing – students’ understanding of harmony, theory, history and aural will be assessed in both AS and A2 years (exam: 40%).
• Music students will receive weekly lessons in the different skill areas of the course: aural, history, harmony and composition. There will also be coursework performance assessments. Each skill area is likely to have a weekly homework assignment set, although in composition this will become a longer coursework project.
Advanced (A2) Level Units
Overview: see above
| | Year | Qual | A* | A | B | C | D | E | U | A-C | A-E |
| Music | 11/12 | A | 3 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
100.0%
|
100.0%
|
| Music | 10/11 | A | 3 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
91.4%
|
100.0%
|
| Music | 09/10 | A | 9 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
91.9%
|
100.0%
|
| Music | 08/09 | A | | 16 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
100.0%
|
100.0%
|
| Music | 07/08 | A | | 23 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
100.0%
|
100.0%
|
| Music | 11/12 | AS | | 23 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
97.9%
|
100.0%
|
| Music | 10/11 | AS | | 29 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
95.7%
|
100.0%
|
| Music | 09/10 | AS | | 31 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
95.7%
|
100.0%
|
| Music | 08/09 | AS | | 21 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
93.0%
|
100.0%
|
| Music | 07/08 | AS | | 23 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
92.9%
|
100.0%
|
- • The Music Department is situated in impressive purpose built accommodation with a recital/rehearsal room, teaching room, resource area, two recording studios, a suite of practice rooms
- • Access to computers with music software including Sibelius, Cubase, Naxos, Auralia, Logic (one student per computer)
“One of the many things I love about Music is learning Bach chorale. I think it's a great skill to be able to recreate harmony in the style of a Baroque composer. The set pieces are always very unique and taught brilliantly with worksheets that need both individual learning and yet allow some room for relaxation as some parts are already filled in.”
Chris Carver
“I love how varied the topics are and how much more in depth the studying goes from what I had experienced in GCSE music. The harmony side of the course allows you to learn the essentials as well as giving you the opportunity to flare a little. The teachers really support your strengths and build your confidence towards important performances.”
Penny Ardley