Music

Course summary

The study of Music allows students to explore the huge diversity of music throughout the world, developing perceptual skills through a breadth of musical experiences. By focusing on a skills-based approach to listening and an open-minded, inquisitive approach to contextualising music, students are encouraged to make connections between musical cultures. They can then reflect on what this tells them about themselves and how it can deepen their musicianship as composers and performers. Studying Music in the Sixth Form will also help students to develop their thinking skills, promoting self-awareness and confidence in their abilities. There is some crossover between A-level and IB Music, since both courses amalgamate the core musical skills of appraising/perception, performing and composing/creating. However, there are significant differences in the delivery and process. At A level, students develop aural and analysis skills through the study of 13 varied set works and related pieces, divided into six areas of study. This culminates in a listening exam at the end of the course. Performing and composing are externally examined coursework units. Students submit a recording of a c. 10-minute recital and create both an original composition and a stylistic techniques exercise. By contrast, the IB course is 100% coursework and is more open-ended. The students' roles as researchers, performers and creators are developed through various processes: exploring music in context; experimenting with music; and presenting music. Students engage with diverse musical material through four areas of inquiry (three for SL). Through the exploration and inquiry into personal, local and global contexts, students engage with both familiar and unfamiliar music.