Music

Course summary

Music is a multifaceted subject, allowing students to develop the interdependent skills of performance, composition, analysis and listening. This diverse skill set allows those who love music to flourish and develop their all-round musicianship, inspiring a passion for music for life. First and foremost, a passion for music making and a musically inquisitive mind are essential characteristics for the study of music during Sixth Form. Music A Level requires students to have previous musical experience of performance and a familiarity with musical notation. Having a good ear will also prove beneficial when listening to and appraising a variety of musical styles and genres, and a creative approach and previous experience in music theory will be very helpful when composing music for coursework. We encourage all our sixth-form musicians to become actively involved with co-curricular life, employing their performance skills in the many concerts, recitals, choirs and ensembles on offer. Students will study 13 set works taken from a wide variety of musical styles and periods, including film music, vocal music, instrumental music and popular and jazz music. They will explore the context and background of the set works, as well as the musical features exhibited within them. Students will look to develop their performing skills as well as expand their knowledge of musical theory and how to apply it to their compositions.