Students who choose to study A Level Music follow the AQA specification. The course is made up of three components: • Component 1 - Appraising Music (40%) • Component 2 - Performing Music (35%) • Component 3 - Composing Music (25%) Students focus on listening to music and the development of appreciation and understanding of how it works. Students will answer listening questions on unfamiliar excerpts as well as studying specific set works and two chosen periods of historical study. Students are encouraged to develop their performance skills by playing a range of styles of music as a soloist and/or an ensemble member. Two well-equipped music computer suites enable students to use music technology software such as Logic Pro X and Sibelius 7.5 to compose music. Students can also use the recording studio to record performances and compositions. Students will learn how to write and arrange for instruments and /or voices, how to create and develop musical ideas. Students will develop capacity to appropriately and effectively use musical devices to an advanced level. Year 12 Component 1: Appraising Music. Set work: Strand C, The Piano Music of Chopin, Brahms and Grieg. Area of study 2: Pop music from 1960 to the present. Component 2: Performing Music. Students will focus on developing both their ensemble and solo performance skills. Component 3: Composing Music. Students will complete a free composition. Year 13 Component 1: Appraising Music. Set work: Strand B, The Operas of Mozart. Area of Study 5: Jazz. This Area of Study looks at music from 1920 to the present. Component 2: Performing Music. Students will record a final recital which must last for a minimum of 10 minutes. Component 3: Composing Music. Students will complete their second composition in response to an externally set brief. Why Study? Do you love playing an instrument and performing? Like exploring and creating new music? Enjoy listening to music from a range of styles? Wonder about how and why music has developed the way it has? If yes, then the A level Music course is for 35 you! The course develops critical thinking & analysis skills alongside practical music making. Our students go on to study a wide range of courses at degree level, both within the Arts and beyond. It is recommended the students have a Grade 6 minimum in GCSE Music. If they have not studied GCSE music, students can still choose to study Music A Level if they are confident performers (minimum grade 5 performance standard) and have an understanding of music theory to grade three standard.