GCE A Level Music

Course summary

Who is the course for? If you are progressing from GCSE music or are proficient musician planning a career as a musical performer or composer, or simply enjoy listening to and performing all kinds of music, then A level music could be for you. The course is excellent preparation for higher education courses in music, but it is equally valuable as a second or third choice to complement your other A level subject choices. You'll need strong performance skills and a willingness to engage with a range of musical styles and genres. What you’ll learn? You'll work on skills in performing, composing and appraising but have the opportunity to specialise in either music performance or composing. You'll develop a more sophisticated level of interpretation and expression through regular music tuition, coaching, rehearsal and performance. You'll explore both classical and popular music, focus on the development of the symphony and the orchestra and be able to evaluate and critically analyse a variety of musical styles and genres. You'll study set works in detail and get an understanding of how composers developed their compositions, learning more about analytical language and musical terminology. You'll be composing your own music in different styles and finding out about the current technology available to create and present music. How you’ll learn Classroom based learning What you can do next A Level Music provides a foundation for studying music at higher education level, including conservatoires and universities. There are apprenticeship opportunities in roles connected to music in sectors such as education, the media and arts administration. How to prepare for this course Listen to a wide variety of music, exploring different genres. Consistent practise on your musical instrument.