Music

Course summary

A high-level musician will have the edge, whether for university applications, career interviews or as part of future employment. Studying music develops initiative, application, teamwork, creativity and confidence. Jobs are becoming more and more creative and music is a part of many industries. Indeed, it is one of the biggest industries, whether as a recording musician, live performer, arranger, composer, sound engineer, DJ/producer, critic/music journalist and many more fields, including education. The A Level course is a substantial study of performance, composition and set works. Performance requires 6 minutes of recorded performance at a Grade 6 standard, extending to 8 minutes in the second year. The composition portfolio extends skills learnt at GCSE and requires pupils to compose two pieces, one of which is in response to briefs set by the examination board. The study of 18 exciting and broadly-ranging set works gives pupils a broad set of skills in analysis and appraising.