Music

Course summary

The AQA A-level course in Music is assessed through three components: appraising, performing, and composing. Appraising involves the study of a wide range of music from the Western Classical music from 1650 to the present, including Baroque concertos, the operas of Mozart, Romantic Piano Music, and Jazz. The paper includes listening to both familiar and unfamiliar works, analysing them and putting them into context. For the performing element, pupils will give a short recital on their chosen instrument, which must be at a minimum of Grade 7 standard. Composing involves stylistic exercises based on the chorales of J.S. Bach, and a commissioned composition in a style of the candidate’s choice. In addition to studying for an A-level in Music, candidates will have the opportunity to be entered for the Grade 8 Theory examination, which is highly regarded and soughtafter by universities, and to take a diploma on their chosen instrument(s).