The music AS/A-level course is an exciting and challenging balance of theory and practice, allowing individual students to develop all aspects of musicianship through appraising, performing and composing. The appraising is taught through three areas of study. The first area of study is The Western Classical Tradition and includes one set work (Symphony No.104 in D major, ‘London’ by Haydn ).The second area of study will be decided by staff at the beginning of the course and will be from a rock and pop, musical theatre or jazz genre. The third area of study, at A-level only, will be based on twentieth century music and will include two set works. Appraising is assessed though a written examination that will include set work analysis with a score, comparison questions, questions on unprepared extracts of music with and without the score and extended response questions. Performing and composing are both non-exam components. AS/A-level students are expected to participate fully in the extracurricular programme offered by the music department. With a music A-level students can progress in to further education, higher education or employment. Music can be studied at many colleges and universities including highly acclaimed music colleges such as The Birmingham Conservatoire and The Royal Academy of Music. However, music A-level is highly regarded by all colleges and universities even for students wanting to follow a non-music course. Career pathways are wide and varied and include music teaching, whether instrumental or classroom based, sound-engineer, choreography, music publishing, backing singing, classical music, arts administration, television and radio production, stage or screen work, radio presenting, music journalism, music therapist, composing, events management, festival organisation and stage management.
- Students must have achieved a grade 6 or above at GCSE and have theoretical skills equivalent to grade 5 or above and performance skills of Grade 4 or above. It is a requirement of the course that students are having lessons on their specialist instrument, whether in school or privately. Students need to be open minded to a wide range of musical genres, particularly for the appraising component but also in composing and performing tasks. - The minimum requirement for entry to the sixth form is 2 grade 6s and 3 grade 5s in full GCSE courses. These must include a grade 5 or above in both mathematics and English language or literature.
Component 1: Performing Option A: Minimum three pieces; 10-12 minutes total length 35% Option B: Minimum two pieces; 6-8 minutes total length 25% Component 2: Composing Option A: Two pieces; 4-6 minutes total length 25% Option B: Three pieces; 8-10 minutes total length 35% Component 3: Appraising Exam: 2hrs 15 40%
About Education Provider
| Region | South West |
| Local Authority | Gloucestershire |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | East End Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL53 8QF |
The music AS/A-level course is an exciting and challenging balance of theory and practice, allowing individual students to develop all aspects of musicianship through appraising, performing and composing. The appraising is taught through three areas of study. The first area of study is The Western Classical Tradition and includes one set work (Symphony No.104 in D major, ‘London’ by Haydn ).The second area of study will be decided by staff at the beginning of the course and will be from a rock and pop, musical theatre or jazz genre. The third area of study, at A-level only, will be based on twentieth century music and will include two set works. Appraising is assessed though a written examination that will include set work analysis with a score, comparison questions, questions on unprepared extracts of music with and without the score and extended response questions. Performing and composing are both non-exam components. AS/A-level students are expected to participate fully in the extracurricular programme offered by the music department. With a music A-level students can progress in to further education, higher education or employment. Music can be studied at many colleges and universities including highly acclaimed music colleges such as The Birmingham Conservatoire and The Royal Academy of Music. However, music A-level is highly regarded by all colleges and universities even for students wanting to follow a non-music course. Career pathways are wide and varied and include music teaching, whether instrumental or classroom based, sound-engineer, choreography, music publishing, backing singing, classical music, arts administration, television and radio production, stage or screen work, radio presenting, music journalism, music therapist, composing, events management, festival organisation and stage management.
- Students must have achieved a grade 6 or above at GCSE and have theoretical skills equivalent to grade 5 or above and performance skills of Grade 4 or above. It is a requirement of the course that students are having lessons on their specialist instrument, whether in school or privately. Students need to be open minded to a wide range of musical genres, particularly for the appraising component but also in composing and performing tasks. - The minimum requirement for entry to the sixth form is 2 grade 6s and 3 grade 5s in full GCSE courses. These must include a grade 5 or above in both mathematics and English language or literature.
Component 1: Performing Option A: Minimum three pieces; 10-12 minutes total length 35% Option B: Minimum two pieces; 6-8 minutes total length 25% Component 2: Composing Option A: Two pieces; 4-6 minutes total length 25% Option B: Three pieces; 8-10 minutes total length 35% Component 3: Appraising Exam: 2hrs 15 40%