Course Overview
Through performing, composing and listening, Music A level gives students a chance to refine their musical skills and appreciate a wide range of music more deeply.
The subject is split into three component parts, developing both academic and practical skills.
1. Appraising Music: Students will listen to a range of music from across music history and will learn to identify complex musical features as well as studying three strands of learning, and one optional area of study (music for theatre).
2. Performing Music: Students will be asked to perform 10 minutes worth of music either as a soloist or as a member of an ensemble with an option to perform through music technology.
3. Composing Music: Students will compose two pieces of music, one is a free composition, one is set to a brief. Students will create their music using Sibelius or ProTools 10.
The course is taught by two music specialists who have a wealth of performance, composition and analytical experience.
Music is a fully recognised academic A level and is extremely desirable at Russell Group universities. Previous Music A level students have gone on to study at a range of universities such as Cambridge and Durham and conservatoires such as The Royal Northern College of Music and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
There are many extra-curricular opportunities available to students including: performing in our annual school show, EMS Live, the Orchestra, Big Band and Chamber Choir. A level musicians are expected to be leading members of our school ensembles and mentor younger students.
Entry Requirements
GCSE Music (grade 4 or above)
GCSE English Language (grade 4 or above)
Grade 5 standard (or equivalent) in their first instrument/voice
Grade 5 theory would be an advantage – extra classes are available to support A-level music studies.