Music - A Level

Music is an art form which touches almost everybody’s lives. Apart from performing and composing, listening and understanding are vital in the appreciation and comprehension of music.

The study of music is no longer restricted to Western Classical Art music – it now encompasses music from across the globe. You have a great degree of choice regarding which instrument you wish to specialise in and will have the opportunity to study and play more popular, contemporary music such as jazz and electronica.

The Music A Level course will allow you to broaden your knowledge of music as a whole whilst also giving you the opportunity to focus on those areas that interest and suit you most.

What will I study in Music?

AS Units 1, 2 & 3
Performing: You can either perform on an instrument or sing, and will have the opportunity to take part in ensemble performances as well as performing solo. You will perform one or two solo pieces of your choice with or without accompaniment lasting between five and six minutes. Your teacher assesses this unit through a recording of your solo performances and by giving you a mark for your contribution to group performances during the course.

Developing Musical Ideas: In this unit you will learn the craft of composing. You will study one topic from variations, romantic miniatures, neo-classicism, postmodernism, popular song, club dance and hip-hop, fusions or film and television music. You will also study the following topics and submit two compositional technique exercises: textures; chords and cadences; scales, modes and series; timbres.

Listening & Understanding: Throughout the course you will be expected to develop and improve your listening skills so that you can recognise different sounds and make judgements about performances. You will answer questions related to music heard during a 45 minute examination then respond to two structured questions based on two areas of study from keyboard music, popular music and jazz, music for film and television, world music, secular vocal music, sacred vocal music, music for large ensemble, music for small ensemble, and 20th and 21st century art music.

A2 Units 4, 5 & 6
Specialist Options: You will either complete a composition portfolio or perform a recital. In the 1st option you will produce two compositions from two topics: variations, romantic miniatures, neo-classicism, postmodernism, popular song, club dance and hip-hop, fusions or film and television. The compositions must be presented as a score and as a recording. The 2nd option involves a recital to an audience. You will have a free choice of music and may play on one or more instruments.

Performing & Composing: You will take part in a range of solo and ensemble performance activities and keep a log of performances at which your teacher has been present, choosing the four best performances for submission to the examination board.

Analysing Music: This unit tests all the knowledge, understanding and skills you have developed across the whole course. You will take a listening test and answer written questions on the music you have studied.

How will I be assessed?

As detailed above, the course is assessed by a mixture of written and listening exams, harmony, performance and composition.

Do I need to have studied Music before?

You should have a good grade at GCSE Music. You will need to be able to read music and play an instrument to grade 6.

Who will teach me?

Tony Gear is an experienced teacher of classical and popular music. He is a vocal coach and plays the piano, trombone, bass and acoustic guitar, and drums. Tony is the singer/songwriter for two bands which play and tour nationally.

Darragh Kilroy is also an experienced music teacher and his favourite composer is Motzart.

Which subjects complement Music?

Music A Level would have a good degree of relevance for those studying Theatre, Film or Media Studies

Which careers can Music lead to?

As well as careers as a performer, there are many relevant jobs in the creative arts industry such as copyist, archivist, promotional work and PR, orchestral management, etc. Teaching also plays a large part in most musicians’ lives.