A level Music offers you the opportunity to study works from the Western classical tradition and set topic areas including musical theatre and jazz, as well as developing your skills in aural, historical and musical analysis, composition, harmony and performance.
Topics studied
The course is divided into three units, following the general pattern of the three key areas studied at GCSE:
- Component 1: Appraising Music
- Component 2: Performance (coursework)
- Component 3: Composition (coursework)
A level Music is taught in eight periods per week. Aural skills are developed through regular listening practice in lessons and an expectation that you will immerse yourself in a variety of music outside the classroom. Set works and set topics are assessed through the completion of analytical essays, harmony and composition by coursework submission in Upper Sixth. Solo and/or ensemble recitals are given in March of Upper Sixth and individual practice for these are an important part of homework time.
100%
A*–A in 2023
Perform
in a range of orchestras, bands, choirs, jazz groups and musical theatre productions
Academic enrichment
There are excursions to concerts, operas, music theatre and lectures, and you will gain valuable performing experience through numerous concerts, festivals and competitions. Advanced musicians are expected to participate in a full programme of extracurricular activities from the diverse range on offer and may take responsibility for directing and rehearsing some extracurricular ensembles.
