Level Music offers students a sophisticated and technically demanding perspective on an art form that reaches across cultural and linguistic divides and into all walks of life. You will explore a broad range of musical styles from the 18th century to the present day and develop technically, academically and artistically in a way that is an essential part of the preparation for the musical profession as well as a wide choice of career pathways. Former Ashbourne A-level Music students have gone on to secure places at prestigious institutions including Royal Holloway, Birmingham Conservatoire, the Royal College of Music and Russell Group universities as well as moving directly into creative arts and music careers. Students will explore three main areas of study: the Western Classical Tradition, Jazz and Music for Media. They will develop their appreciation and understanding of music through context, musical elements and language. This equips students with an excellent foundation for them to perform and compose. GCSE music is an essential requirement for this course and it is assumed that students will already have a secure grasp of music theory and musical terminology to around Grade 5 level. Most students will have already taken the grade 5 ABRSM theory exam before taking the A level. The course is split into three parts: Appraisal Listen, analyse and contextualise This is the largest of the three units, accounting for 40% of the A level, and takes in a wide variety of musical styles and approaches. The unit consists of three areas of study including Western Classical Music (1600-1910), Music for Media, and Jazz. Through the course, they will develop their aural and written skills through listening, analysis, class discussion and written work. At the end of the course, all students will sit a written exam lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes covering listening, analysis and essay writing skills. Central to the written component of this unit is the division of music into factual observations, and music’s ‘affect’ or what we experience when we listen to music. Students will learn how to give an in-depth account of stylistic developments and historical context while offering their accounts of musical listening. Performance Practice, Perform, and Observe Performance makes up 35% of the A-level assessment and students should be at about Grade 7 level by the time they reach year 13. Students are encouraged to draw on familiar repertoire and throughout the year there are opportunities for students to give public performances at St Mary Abbots Church, Ashbourne’s annual Revue and our Creative Arts event in the Spring. We welcome all styles of music in our events and over the years we’ve had performances of music from Handel to Hendrix, and from Boulez to Clean Bandit. The student-run College jazz band (the House Band) performs regularly with singers at the Revue and Creative Arts event. Throughout the year students are encouraged to explore repertoire for their instruments both to broaden their knowledge and progress technically as performers. Composition Wait, expiate and create This is worth 25% of the assessment and is divided into two parts – composition to a brief (Bach Chorales) and Free Composition where students can write in any style (or even several styles in the same piece). Students can draw inspiration from other composers and use their contextual understanding to create their pieces. At Ashbourne, all students will compose for the Edison Ensemble, our professional ensemble in residence conducted by our director of music. Student compositions are workshopped and performed in a recorded concert at The Warehouse.
Students who continue to Year 12 at Ashbourne are expected to be able to gain a minimum of 6 grades 6s (or equivalent) for their GCSE results and must have a determination to work towards their academic potential.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Kensington and Chelsea |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £32,250 - £34,500 |
| Address | 17 Old Court Place, Kensington, London, W8 4PL |
Level Music offers students a sophisticated and technically demanding perspective on an art form that reaches across cultural and linguistic divides and into all walks of life. You will explore a broad range of musical styles from the 18th century to the present day and develop technically, academically and artistically in a way that is an essential part of the preparation for the musical profession as well as a wide choice of career pathways. Former Ashbourne A-level Music students have gone on to secure places at prestigious institutions including Royal Holloway, Birmingham Conservatoire, the Royal College of Music and Russell Group universities as well as moving directly into creative arts and music careers. Students will explore three main areas of study: the Western Classical Tradition, Jazz and Music for Media. They will develop their appreciation and understanding of music through context, musical elements and language. This equips students with an excellent foundation for them to perform and compose. GCSE music is an essential requirement for this course and it is assumed that students will already have a secure grasp of music theory and musical terminology to around Grade 5 level. Most students will have already taken the grade 5 ABRSM theory exam before taking the A level. The course is split into three parts: Appraisal Listen, analyse and contextualise This is the largest of the three units, accounting for 40% of the A level, and takes in a wide variety of musical styles and approaches. The unit consists of three areas of study including Western Classical Music (1600-1910), Music for Media, and Jazz. Through the course, they will develop their aural and written skills through listening, analysis, class discussion and written work. At the end of the course, all students will sit a written exam lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes covering listening, analysis and essay writing skills. Central to the written component of this unit is the division of music into factual observations, and music’s ‘affect’ or what we experience when we listen to music. Students will learn how to give an in-depth account of stylistic developments and historical context while offering their accounts of musical listening. Performance Practice, Perform, and Observe Performance makes up 35% of the A-level assessment and students should be at about Grade 7 level by the time they reach year 13. Students are encouraged to draw on familiar repertoire and throughout the year there are opportunities for students to give public performances at St Mary Abbots Church, Ashbourne’s annual Revue and our Creative Arts event in the Spring. We welcome all styles of music in our events and over the years we’ve had performances of music from Handel to Hendrix, and from Boulez to Clean Bandit. The student-run College jazz band (the House Band) performs regularly with singers at the Revue and Creative Arts event. Throughout the year students are encouraged to explore repertoire for their instruments both to broaden their knowledge and progress technically as performers. Composition Wait, expiate and create This is worth 25% of the assessment and is divided into two parts – composition to a brief (Bach Chorales) and Free Composition where students can write in any style (or even several styles in the same piece). Students can draw inspiration from other composers and use their contextual understanding to create their pieces. At Ashbourne, all students will compose for the Edison Ensemble, our professional ensemble in residence conducted by our director of music. Student compositions are workshopped and performed in a recorded concert at The Warehouse.
Students who continue to Year 12 at Ashbourne are expected to be able to gain a minimum of 6 grades 6s (or equivalent) for their GCSE results and must have a determination to work towards their academic potential.