Entry requirements: Minimum entry requirements. It is essential that students achieve a grade 6 or higher in GCSE Music and can perform to the equivalent of Grade 5 standard on an instrument/singing. Course content: Component 1: Appraising music (40%) Exam paper with listening and written questions using excerpts of music from 3 areas of study: 1. Western classical tradition 1650–1910 2. Pop music And a choice of: 3. Music for media or 4. Music for theatre Component 2: Performance (35%) Solo and/or ensemble performing as an instrumentalist, or vocalist and/or music production (via technology) Component 3: Composition (25%) 2 composition pieces, one free choice and one to a brief Assessment: Component 1: Appraising music (40%) Section A: Listening (56 marks) Section B: Analysis (34 marks) Section C: Essay (30 marks) Component 2: Performance (35%) A ten-minute performance on a student’s chosen instrument is required. This component is 35% of A-Level marks (50 marks) Component 3: Composition (25%) Composition 1: Composition to a brief (25 marks) Composition 2: Free composition (25 marks) A minimum of four and a half minutes of music in total is required across the two pieces Why Music at Samuel Ryder Academy? • A-Level Music will provide an accessible and creative education in Music with an integrated approach to the three main elements – performing, composing and appraising • Students are encouraged to be creative and to broaden their musical horizons and understanding with Areas of Study that inspire and challenge • This specification will enable students to explore performance and composition in greater detail • Through the various genres, styles and eras contained in the Areas of Study, they will explore musical context, musical language and performance and composition skills • A-Level Music has options and pathways designed to appeal to, and cater for, a wide range of interests, instruments, personalities and directions • Samuel Ryder Academy has excellent facilities, including a number of practice rooms for individual use for performance work as well as iMac computers running the latest version of Logic to facilitate composition work • Due to the fact that performance is an integral part of the A-Level course, we offer a free weekly 20-minute individual lesson on their chosen instrument (including singing) through Herts Music Service. Expectations of students: • Students need to be open minded and have a keen interest in a range of musical styles • Students need to be organised and committed to be able to meet assignment deadlines and be prepared to spend a significant amount of time practising their instrument • As a music student at Samuel Ryder Academy, students are expected to also take part in, and sometimes lead, extra-curricular ensembles Skills and career paths Studying music offers students the opportunity to develop a huge number of skills and qualities which employers look for in many jobs and career pathways, including: • Communication • Memory and concentration • Teamwork • The ability to perform under pressure • Self-discipline • Critical thinking • IT skills • Planning and organisation Music can also offer a variety of career paths into the world of work, some of which could include: • Private music teacher • Music therapist • Secondary school teacher • Media production assistant • Media programme researcher • Arts administrator • Editorial/marketing assistant
About Education Provider
| Region | East of England |
| Local Authority | Hertfordshire |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | Drakes Drive, St Albans, AL1 5AR |
Entry requirements: Minimum entry requirements. It is essential that students achieve a grade 6 or higher in GCSE Music and can perform to the equivalent of Grade 5 standard on an instrument/singing. Course content: Component 1: Appraising music (40%) Exam paper with listening and written questions using excerpts of music from 3 areas of study: 1. Western classical tradition 1650–1910 2. Pop music And a choice of: 3. Music for media or 4. Music for theatre Component 2: Performance (35%) Solo and/or ensemble performing as an instrumentalist, or vocalist and/or music production (via technology) Component 3: Composition (25%) 2 composition pieces, one free choice and one to a brief Assessment: Component 1: Appraising music (40%) Section A: Listening (56 marks) Section B: Analysis (34 marks) Section C: Essay (30 marks) Component 2: Performance (35%) A ten-minute performance on a student’s chosen instrument is required. This component is 35% of A-Level marks (50 marks) Component 3: Composition (25%) Composition 1: Composition to a brief (25 marks) Composition 2: Free composition (25 marks) A minimum of four and a half minutes of music in total is required across the two pieces Why Music at Samuel Ryder Academy? • A-Level Music will provide an accessible and creative education in Music with an integrated approach to the three main elements – performing, composing and appraising • Students are encouraged to be creative and to broaden their musical horizons and understanding with Areas of Study that inspire and challenge • This specification will enable students to explore performance and composition in greater detail • Through the various genres, styles and eras contained in the Areas of Study, they will explore musical context, musical language and performance and composition skills • A-Level Music has options and pathways designed to appeal to, and cater for, a wide range of interests, instruments, personalities and directions • Samuel Ryder Academy has excellent facilities, including a number of practice rooms for individual use for performance work as well as iMac computers running the latest version of Logic to facilitate composition work • Due to the fact that performance is an integral part of the A-Level course, we offer a free weekly 20-minute individual lesson on their chosen instrument (including singing) through Herts Music Service. Expectations of students: • Students need to be open minded and have a keen interest in a range of musical styles • Students need to be organised and committed to be able to meet assignment deadlines and be prepared to spend a significant amount of time practising their instrument • As a music student at Samuel Ryder Academy, students are expected to also take part in, and sometimes lead, extra-curricular ensembles Skills and career paths Studying music offers students the opportunity to develop a huge number of skills and qualities which employers look for in many jobs and career pathways, including: • Communication • Memory and concentration • Teamwork • The ability to perform under pressure • Self-discipline • Critical thinking • IT skills • Planning and organisation Music can also offer a variety of career paths into the world of work, some of which could include: • Private music teacher • Music therapist • Secondary school teacher • Media production assistant • Media programme researcher • Arts administrator • Editorial/marketing assistant