Music is regarded by the country’s top universities as a rigorous A-level as it helps students develop a wide range of skills. These include studying the historical context of various styles of music and the inherent traditions of the era, being able to read notation fluently in order to analyze a musical score, using a wide range of technical vocabulary to describe musical features, the self-discipline required to progress with an instrument through independent practice, and manual dexterity. You should enjoy playing or singing – especially in a group, as this enhances your ensemble skills. You should be prepared to embrace new styles of music, and new concepts and be able to appreciate the technicalities of creativity in terms of structure and devices used by composers of all genres.