Music at A level is a hugely varied course that follows on naturally from the IGCSE course. It continues to focus on the elements of Performing, Composing, Listening and the History of Music, but in greater detail and taking the associated skills to a higher level. The skills and content of the A level Music course provide excellent preparation for studying Music at undergraduate level either at universities or conservatoires. The broad range of skills developed through the course – practical, aural, creative, analytical and historical – provide excellent preparation for a wide range of other humanities and language subjects at university. Many pupils choose A level Music alongside Maths and Sciences and this combination works extremely well. The course is designed to develop your skills as a performer, undertaking and learning from regular recorded performances as a soloist and/or ensemble player. It is expected that you will play a full role in the extra-curricular life of the department to further enhance your performing experience and enable you to access the highest marks. You will learn how to develop your own compositional skills finally producing a free choice composition. You will also study four-part harmony in the style of J S Bach. Finally, through the study of a variety of set works from across the history of Western Classical music, world and popular music you will gain a deep understanding of how styles and genres have evolved, and you will develop your aural perception skills through listening exercises.
We expect all pupils progressing from UV into the Sixth Form at Wycombe Abbey to achieve a minimum of six GCSE passes at grades 7, 8 or 9. A GCSE grade 7 or above is required for the subjects you wish to study at A level (excluding those subjects which are not offered at GCSE, although a grade 7 or above should be achieved in a subject which requires similar skills). Should a pupil not achieve this standard, a discussion will be held with the pupil, her parents and relevant staff members to support them in finding a suitable alternative route. You do not need to have followed the IGCSE Music course in order to study the subject at A level, but you should be a competent instrumentalist or singer of at least Grade 6 standard at the start of the course and, if you have not studied IGCSE Music a pass at Grade 5 theory would be helpful.
Two of the three components – Performing and Composing – are completed through the submission of coursework which is then externally assessed. Each of these components is worth 30% of the A level. There is one written examination taken at the end of the Upper Sixth year.
About Education Provider
| Region | South East |
| Local Authority | Buckinghamshire |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Girls |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Day £38,700; Boarding £50,925 |
| Sixth Form Fee | Unknown |
| Address | Frances Dove Way, High Wycombe, HP11 1PE |
Music at A level is a hugely varied course that follows on naturally from the IGCSE course. It continues to focus on the elements of Performing, Composing, Listening and the History of Music, but in greater detail and taking the associated skills to a higher level. The skills and content of the A level Music course provide excellent preparation for studying Music at undergraduate level either at universities or conservatoires. The broad range of skills developed through the course – practical, aural, creative, analytical and historical – provide excellent preparation for a wide range of other humanities and language subjects at university. Many pupils choose A level Music alongside Maths and Sciences and this combination works extremely well. The course is designed to develop your skills as a performer, undertaking and learning from regular recorded performances as a soloist and/or ensemble player. It is expected that you will play a full role in the extra-curricular life of the department to further enhance your performing experience and enable you to access the highest marks. You will learn how to develop your own compositional skills finally producing a free choice composition. You will also study four-part harmony in the style of J S Bach. Finally, through the study of a variety of set works from across the history of Western Classical music, world and popular music you will gain a deep understanding of how styles and genres have evolved, and you will develop your aural perception skills through listening exercises.
We expect all pupils progressing from UV into the Sixth Form at Wycombe Abbey to achieve a minimum of six GCSE passes at grades 7, 8 or 9. A GCSE grade 7 or above is required for the subjects you wish to study at A level (excluding those subjects which are not offered at GCSE, although a grade 7 or above should be achieved in a subject which requires similar skills). Should a pupil not achieve this standard, a discussion will be held with the pupil, her parents and relevant staff members to support them in finding a suitable alternative route. You do not need to have followed the IGCSE Music course in order to study the subject at A level, but you should be a competent instrumentalist or singer of at least Grade 6 standard at the start of the course and, if you have not studied IGCSE Music a pass at Grade 5 theory would be helpful.
Two of the three components – Performing and Composing – are completed through the submission of coursework which is then externally assessed. Each of these components is worth 30% of the A level. There is one written examination taken at the end of the Upper Sixth year.