A Level Music
What is A Level Music about ?
Do you….
* love playing an instrument and performing?
* like exploring and creating new music?
* enjoy listening to music from a range of styles?
* wonder about how and why music has developed the way it has?
If yes, then the A level Music course is for you! Where else can you play music, create and record your own music, listen to music in class, and learn about different styles of music?
What does the course consist of?
Students who choose to study A Level Music follow the WJEC specification (in collaboration with Newton High School). The course consists of three components:
Performing
Students are encouraged to develop their performance skills by playing a range of styles of music as a soloist and/or an ensemble member. At AS, students present a performance of 6-8 minutes. The requirement extends to 10-12 minutes at A2, allowing for a wider and balanced programme of music.
Composing
Students learn how to write for instrument(s) and/or voices, and how to develop musical ideas. At AS, students create two contrasting compositions lasting between 4 and 8 minutes. At A2, students similarly compose two contrasting compositions lasting between 6 and 10 minutes.
Appraising (Developing Musical Understanding)
This unit focuses on listening to music and understanding how it works. At AS, students study set pieces of music from the two topics: Western Classical Tradition (Orchestral Music), and Jazz, Rock and Pop. Pieces range from Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.2 and Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 through to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and Duke Ellington’s Take The A-Train. At A2, students will study the set work – Concerto in G minor for Piano (Ravel) and in addition will focus on Music of the 20th/21st Century.
What is expected?
The course (particularly A2) is quite demanding - as most A levels have to be. It helps if you have a good understanding of the higher tier GCSE course. Although much work is revisited this is rapidly built on. Modules are accompanied by set texts, containing the work relevant to that module. Suggestions for further reading will also be given giving an insight into the more contemporary and interesting areas of maths. There will be a steady stream of written exercises, which should be kept up with.
What might the subject lead to ?
The A level Music course provides an excellent basis for lifelong learning and for Higher Education courses in Music, and many students who take A level Music continue their studies at university. The three units of the course can lead to studies in performance, composition, musicology, ethnomusicology, sound engineering, conducting, popular music and jazz, and music education.
