Music

Exam Board: AQA

Students will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of musical genres. This A Level provides an appropriate focus for students to appraise, develop and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of musical elements, musical contexts and musical language. The areas of study can also provide a rich source of material for students to work with when developing performance and composition skills.

For performance, students will be able to interpret musical elements using resources and techniques as appropriate, to communicate musical ideas with technical and expressive control. Students will perform music either as a soloist, as part of an ensemble or via music technology.

Students will learn how to develop musical ideas, including extending and manipulating musical ideas, and compose music that is musically convincing through two compositions. Students will be given opportunity to use the elements of music creatively for their chosen style or genre of music.

In summary:

• Appraising Music
• Students will study Western Classical Tradition 1650-1910.
  • Students will then choose two from the following to study:
  • Pop Music
  • Music for Media
  • Music for Theatre
  • Jazz
  • Contemporary Traditional Music
  • Art Music since 1910

Performing

• Students will perform as a solo or in an ensemble.
• Students must perform for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Composition

• Students will create two compositions.
• Students will create one composition to a set brief and the other will be a free composition.
• The combined duration of the compositions must be a minimum of four and a half minutes.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on one exam and two non-exam assessments in Composition and Performance

• Component 1: Appraising Music – 40%
• Component 2: Performance – 35%
• Component 3: Composition – 25%

Requirements

Sixth Form entry requirements and grade 6 or higher at Music/Music Technology GCSE.

Where can it lead?

Many students continue to study Music at university. University courses offer specialist focus on a particular area of music such as Performance, Theory, Technology etc. Many universities offer combined courses with other subjects such as Drama, Maths, Languages and many others. Careers in Music are varied and A Level Music provides a strong understanding of how music works and makes you prepared for success in an everchanging industry.