The Edexcel course leads on naturally from GCSE and has the advantage that many of the musical activities undertaken by Harrow musicians will count towards their examination. However, the course is very broad and much more than simply an extension of instrumental study. The A-level develops skills in analysis and close listening, harmony and counterpoint, and free and stylistic composition. An extremely wide range of music is studied and boys develop the confidence and ability to engage maturely and intelligently with unfamiliar works and styles. As a serious and rigorous subject that is highly regarded by top universities, A-level Music helps to develop not only musical awareness but also other core academic skills such as essay writing and independent research. The subject combines well with both humanities and sciences in this regard. Although an A-level in Music demonstrates a wide range of abilities to admissions tutors across all subjects, many boys discover while studying Music that they would like to pursue it further at university. In recent years, Harrovians have been awarded choral and organ scholarships to prestigious Oxbridge colleges and achieved outstanding first-class degrees in Music.
We welcome applications from boys who: are likely to be predicted at least seven or eight passes at GCSE (or equivalent) at grade 7/8/9 (A/A*);
Component One Performing (30%) Candidates perform as soloists and/or as part of an ensemble for a minimum of eight minutes. This is recorded and sent off for assessment by the Edexcel examiners. To be confident of achieving full marks in this module, performances should be of grade eight level. Component Two Composing (30%) Candidates develop their composition skills and create a four-minute piece in response to a chosen brief (20%). Pupils also complete a shorter technique-based exercise such as a Bach chorale (10%). Component Three Appraising Music (40%) This unit focuses on listening and musical analysis. Candidates study 13 set works, identifying important musical features and exploring social and historical contexts. The examination contains varied questions on a selection of the set works, a dictation exercise and two essays, which require candidates to write confidently about an unfamiliar work and to discuss one of the set works with extensive reference to wider listening. The six areas of study into which the set works fall are:
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Harrow |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Boys |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £50,550 |
| Address | 5 High Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, HA1 3HP |
The Edexcel course leads on naturally from GCSE and has the advantage that many of the musical activities undertaken by Harrow musicians will count towards their examination. However, the course is very broad and much more than simply an extension of instrumental study. The A-level develops skills in analysis and close listening, harmony and counterpoint, and free and stylistic composition. An extremely wide range of music is studied and boys develop the confidence and ability to engage maturely and intelligently with unfamiliar works and styles. As a serious and rigorous subject that is highly regarded by top universities, A-level Music helps to develop not only musical awareness but also other core academic skills such as essay writing and independent research. The subject combines well with both humanities and sciences in this regard. Although an A-level in Music demonstrates a wide range of abilities to admissions tutors across all subjects, many boys discover while studying Music that they would like to pursue it further at university. In recent years, Harrovians have been awarded choral and organ scholarships to prestigious Oxbridge colleges and achieved outstanding first-class degrees in Music.
We welcome applications from boys who: are likely to be predicted at least seven or eight passes at GCSE (or equivalent) at grade 7/8/9 (A/A*);
Component One Performing (30%) Candidates perform as soloists and/or as part of an ensemble for a minimum of eight minutes. This is recorded and sent off for assessment by the Edexcel examiners. To be confident of achieving full marks in this module, performances should be of grade eight level. Component Two Composing (30%) Candidates develop their composition skills and create a four-minute piece in response to a chosen brief (20%). Pupils also complete a shorter technique-based exercise such as a Bach chorale (10%). Component Three Appraising Music (40%) This unit focuses on listening and musical analysis. Candidates study 13 set works, identifying important musical features and exploring social and historical contexts. The examination contains varied questions on a selection of the set works, a dictation exercise and two essays, which require candidates to write confidently about an unfamiliar work and to discuss one of the set works with extensive reference to wider listening. The six areas of study into which the set works fall are: