Music

The Course:
This is a two year course which continues the three main areas of Listening, Composing and Performing from GCSE Music. You will analyse scores in
a range of styles in order to answer essay questions and aural questions. You need to perform a recital and to compose pieces of your choosing and
to a given brief.

Assessment:
There will be three areas, Composition, Performing and Listening. Composition is coursework over the two years and Performing (Recital) will be taken
towards the end of the course. Students can decide to major in either Performance or Composition and will get 25% or 35% for each of those papers.
There will be a 2 ½ hour Listening paper in which students will respond to recorded examples of set works studied and also of related repertoire. The
Music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, and Popular Song from Blues, Jazz, Swing and Big Band repertoire are compulsory units. Students will also
have to study from a choice of Music including Baroque, Jazz, 1900 to Present Day or Programme Music. The Listening Paper is worth 40% of the
overall exam.

Why take this A-Level?
Students with a love of Music or a thirst for wanting to understand the subject further should take this course. Many previous students who have taken
this course have gone on to study at a higher level at University or a Conservatoire.

Specific Entry Requirements:
You must have a good understanding of theory and knowledge of classical music. You will need to be at least Grade 6 for your recital in year 13.