Music

Course summary

Music is ideal for students wanting to study a different type of subject, yet one which is rigorously academic and is respected by academia. This course will provide you with a thorough grounding in the three main musical disciplines of performing, composing, and listening and understanding. You will develop performance skills (solo and/or ensemble), compose music and learn about 4-part counterpoint (the basics in Year 12 and stylistic studies in Year 13), at the same time building up your aural and analytical skills by studying extracts from the Anthology of Music. Throughout the course, students will be developing links between Music and other subjects, such as languages and Humanities, as well as Maths and the Sciences. In Year 12 you will work on elements of performance practice, learn to compose and arrange music and understand harmony and how different composers compose. Furthermore, you will learn how to analyse music through listening to and studying scores of set works and associated wider listening, identifying their musical features, and about the social and historical contexts of compositions. Additionally, you will research careers in Music and related areas, as well as how the conservatoire and university application process is completed. In Year 13, you will develop your performance skills further to produce a recital and specialise in a technical study and composing skills. You will also develop your knowledge and understanding of music from periods in history through analysing more complex set works, and learning how to compare and contrast extracts, how to critically evaluate them, how to contextualise music, and identify tonal features. Music students are expected to participate in extra-curricular activities and very often run ensembles. There will be opportunities to attend concerts and theatre trips. The ability to read at least one clef (treble or bass) is essential.