Music

Course summary

This course is designed for students who want to explore music in more depth and perform and compose at a higher level. If you enjoyed the GCSE course you will enjoy it at A-level. This course is not just open to those students who want to read music at University, but to anyone who wants to improve their musical knowledge. Music has always been recognized as an academic subject by the Russell Group Universities as it complements any science or mathematics degree. The Music Department at Burford School is a busy place, with many ensembles rehearsing every week and lots of opportunities to perform. All A-level musicians attend our 'Create, Compose and Learn!' program which offers lectures and workshops given in conjunction with Oxford University. Also, subject to a successful audition, students will be sponsored to play in a County Music Ensemble. There are 3 components - Appraising Music, Performance, and Composition. In Appraising Music, you will study Western Classical Music in depth (including the Baroque Solo Concerto and Mozart's Operas) and you will study music from two more Areas of Study. This could include Art Music from 1910 and Musical Theatre. In Performance, you will perform as a solo and/or ensemble. Minimum 10 minutes recorded performance time and minimum Grade 6 standard. In Composition, you will do 2 compositions - one to a brief and the other is free; with a minimum of 4 and a half minutes combined. You will need to continue instrumental lessons on your principal instrument, listen to as much classical music as possible, go to concerts, and build up your general knowledge of music history. You will need to develop your music theory skills as you will be entered for Grade 5 Theory at the end of Year 12 if you have not already taken the exam.