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 in addition to the prescribed set works and should be prepared to research the social and historical background of the music they study. In addition to the performance and composition components, for the appraisal exam, students will study: • Area of Study A: The Western Classical Tradition (The Development of the Symphony 1750-1900). Two set works: Symphony No.104 in D major, 'London' by Haydn Symphony No. 4 in A major, 'Italian' by Mendelssohn • Area of Study D: Jazz • Area of Study E: Into the Twentieth Century including two set works: Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano, Movement II by Poulenc; Three Nocturnes, Number 1, Nuages by Debussy