Music

Course summary

It has been argued that Music is the greatest of all the arts, with a unique ability to move, to inspire and to improve the lives of individuals, of communities and even of whole nations. Music deeply and positively affects, and reflects, our emotions, our very being. The study of music in the Sixth Form is a multifaceted and intellectually challenging process. At the very least, students need to be fluent in reading music and should be competent performers and composers. In addition, they will need to develop strong analytical skills and an ability to write critically about music - when, how and why it was written, why it succeeds or not, how it should be performed and what its inherent value might be. In order to be successful in this part of the course, students should listen to a wide range of music and should be prepared to research the social and historical background of the music they study. The content of the course is fairly free. Students can direct their own course of study across personal, local and global contexts, through four areas of inquiry. Students are required to carry out and write up research on their chosen works, as well as to compose and perform.