If you are passionate about music of any genre, want to develop your knowledge of how music works, explore a range of musical styles, perform and compose, then this is the subject for you. You will learn more about Western art (“classical” orchestral) music from 1750 up to the present day, alongside one additional area of study (currently Rock and Pop), Musical Theatre and Jazz. You will need a high level of performing ability on any instrument or voice (approximately grade 4/5 standard at the start of the course) and must be prepared to study musical theory including reading score notation if this is not already familiar to you. The course is divided into three assessed components: • Component 1: Performing • Component 2: Composing • Component 3: Appraising Students have the option to specialise in either performing or composing: • Option A: A final recital performance of at least 3 pieces lasting 10-12 minutes in total, 35% of the qualification plus a portfolio of two compositions lasting 4-6 minutes in total and a composing log, 25% of the qualification. • Option B: A final recital performance of at least 2 pieces lasting 6-8 minutes, 25% of the qualification plus a portfolio of three compositions lasting 8-10 minutes in total and a composing log, 35% of the qualification. The remaining 40% of the qualification with either option is gained through a final written examination (listening paper). YEAR 12 Students will study the history of Western art music, focusing on The Development of the Symphony 1750- 1830 for Area of Study A: The Western Classical tradition. This will include the study of one set work: Symphony No. 104 in D major, ‘London’, by Haydn, an overview study of a second work (Symphony no 4 in A major ‘Italian’ by Mendelssohn) and composition exercises, in preparation for composition work in the classical style in Year 13. Students will also begin to study Area of Study B: Rock and Pop 1960-2000 (including pop, rock, soul, funk and folk), which will be taught through a range of listening and practical activities, with regular opportunities to perform in class and experiment with composing in a range of related styles. There will be a mock listening paper at the end of Year 12 which will test students on the Haydn set work as well as a range of unprepared listening examples from both the classical genre and Rock and Pop. YEAR 13 The study of Western Art Music continues with Area of Study E: Into the Twentieth Century 1895-1935. Students will learn about developments in musical styles including impressionism, expressionism, serialism and neo-classicism, and will study two more set works in depth; Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano: Movement II by Poulenc and Three Nocturnes: No. 1 – Nuages by Debussy. Students will also deepen their knowledge of the classical and romantic symphonies and the set works studied in Year 12, as well as further developing their understanding of the optional area of study B, C or D. Performance and compositional work will continue throughout the year, as students prepare for their final assessments in components 1 and 2. Having made the decision to specialise in either performance or composition, students will prepare for their final recital of solo and/ or ensemble performances and develop a portfolio of compositions. One of these will be in the Western classical style in response to a brief from a choice of four set by the exam board and released in early September; the remaining composition(s) can be in any style.
• We have a minimum entry requirement of grade 4 in both Maths and English Language. Additional subject entry requirements for each subject are listed below. There may be some flexibility around these. • English can be either Literature or Language unless specifically stated. • Ideally grade 6 in GCSE Music plus proficiency on any instrument or voice; students with a high level of performing skills and theoretical knowledge without GCSE Music may be considered.
All assessment takes place in Year 13. The coursework components 1 and 2 are worth 60% of the overall A level. The performance component is assessed through a final recital in front of an external examiner in March/ April. The composition component is submitted in April for external moderation. The appraising component worth 40% is assessed through a 2 hour 15 minute listening paper in early May, with questions on the set works and on unprepared extracts from the Western art music tradition and Rock and Pop.
About Education Provider
| Region | West Midlands |
| Local Authority | Warwickshire |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | Myton Road, Warwick, CV34 6PJ |
If you are passionate about music of any genre, want to develop your knowledge of how music works, explore a range of musical styles, perform and compose, then this is the subject for you. You will learn more about Western art (“classical” orchestral) music from 1750 up to the present day, alongside one additional area of study (currently Rock and Pop), Musical Theatre and Jazz. You will need a high level of performing ability on any instrument or voice (approximately grade 4/5 standard at the start of the course) and must be prepared to study musical theory including reading score notation if this is not already familiar to you. The course is divided into three assessed components: • Component 1: Performing • Component 2: Composing • Component 3: Appraising Students have the option to specialise in either performing or composing: • Option A: A final recital performance of at least 3 pieces lasting 10-12 minutes in total, 35% of the qualification plus a portfolio of two compositions lasting 4-6 minutes in total and a composing log, 25% of the qualification. • Option B: A final recital performance of at least 2 pieces lasting 6-8 minutes, 25% of the qualification plus a portfolio of three compositions lasting 8-10 minutes in total and a composing log, 35% of the qualification. The remaining 40% of the qualification with either option is gained through a final written examination (listening paper). YEAR 12 Students will study the history of Western art music, focusing on The Development of the Symphony 1750- 1830 for Area of Study A: The Western Classical tradition. This will include the study of one set work: Symphony No. 104 in D major, ‘London’, by Haydn, an overview study of a second work (Symphony no 4 in A major ‘Italian’ by Mendelssohn) and composition exercises, in preparation for composition work in the classical style in Year 13. Students will also begin to study Area of Study B: Rock and Pop 1960-2000 (including pop, rock, soul, funk and folk), which will be taught through a range of listening and practical activities, with regular opportunities to perform in class and experiment with composing in a range of related styles. There will be a mock listening paper at the end of Year 12 which will test students on the Haydn set work as well as a range of unprepared listening examples from both the classical genre and Rock and Pop. YEAR 13 The study of Western Art Music continues with Area of Study E: Into the Twentieth Century 1895-1935. Students will learn about developments in musical styles including impressionism, expressionism, serialism and neo-classicism, and will study two more set works in depth; Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano: Movement II by Poulenc and Three Nocturnes: No. 1 – Nuages by Debussy. Students will also deepen their knowledge of the classical and romantic symphonies and the set works studied in Year 12, as well as further developing their understanding of the optional area of study B, C or D. Performance and compositional work will continue throughout the year, as students prepare for their final assessments in components 1 and 2. Having made the decision to specialise in either performance or composition, students will prepare for their final recital of solo and/ or ensemble performances and develop a portfolio of compositions. One of these will be in the Western classical style in response to a brief from a choice of four set by the exam board and released in early September; the remaining composition(s) can be in any style.
• We have a minimum entry requirement of grade 4 in both Maths and English Language. Additional subject entry requirements for each subject are listed below. There may be some flexibility around these. • English can be either Literature or Language unless specifically stated. • Ideally grade 6 in GCSE Music plus proficiency on any instrument or voice; students with a high level of performing skills and theoretical knowledge without GCSE Music may be considered.
All assessment takes place in Year 13. The coursework components 1 and 2 are worth 60% of the overall A level. The performance component is assessed through a final recital in front of an external examiner in March/ April. The composition component is submitted in April for external moderation. The appraising component worth 40% is assessed through a 2 hour 15 minute listening paper in early May, with questions on the set works and on unprepared extracts from the Western art music tradition and Rock and Pop.