Music

Course summary

The course focuses on three areas: Performance, Composition and Appraising. Through regular performance opportunities, students are able to progress their technical skill and musical interpretation. Within the composition element, students explore areas of individual interest, creating two works, one of which is in response to a brief set by the board. Students study a range of musical topics in preparation for the appraising exam. Compulsory topics include Instrumental Music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven alongside Popular Music: Blues, Jazz, Swing and Big Band. Choices are then made on a range of genres including Developments in Jazz from 1910, Religious Music of the Baroque Period, Programme Music from 1820 and Innovations in Music from 1900 to the Present Day. Throughout all of this, emphasis is placed on exploring a wide range of musical works, composers and genres, analysing musical features, improving listening and aural skills alongside building synoptic ability in essay writing.