Contact Teacher: Mrs J Bowen-Melfi, Team Leader of Music
Exam Board: Eduqus
Vision
We aim to bridge the gap: where students tend to see ‘music in school’ as being different to the music they enjoy and listen to ‘outside school’. We want to make music relevant to them and to inspire, nurture, and open their experiences to performing and composing and to encourage ownership and leadership skills.
Music Learning Journey
This is a visual representation of how students' knowledge and skills develop through the Music curriculum.
(click on the images below to view a larger version)
Why study Music?
No matter what sort of music you enjoy playing or singing and what you like listening to A-level Music provides an opportunity for committed musicians to develop musical skills, knowledge and understanding through performing, composing and analysis. It is the ideal route for students wanting to do Music Performance, Composing or Music Technology courses at university or further education. It is a fully recognised A-level that supports applications for other courses, especially if students are involved in extra-curricular activities. A-level Music is a very desirable A-level for prospective employers in all areas of work including: the music industry, arts administration, medicine, teaching, armed forces, law and journalism. It is a very versatile A-level to combine with Sciences, Maths, English, Engineering or Languages.
How the course is taught and assessed
After a short induction course, students will take part in regular performance, follow a composition course in workshop-style lessons, and study and analyse a range of music from the West Classical Tradition and beyond in a combination of teacher and student-led sessions.
In Year 2 students can opt to specialise in either performing or composing although they still need to submit examples of both. This involves preparing a performance of two or more pieces lasting between six and twelve minutes and composing two or three pieces (one to a brief from the exam board and one to a chosen brief). They also prepare for an exam with questions on set works from the Western Classical Tradition and the Twentieth Century. There are also optional units in Popular and Rock Music, Musical Theatre or Jazz.
Entry requirements
Performances for A-level need to be grade 6 standard although there is no requirement to have taken any grade exams to take the course. GCSE Music would be an advantage, but is not essential if the required performance standard is offered.
Students studying A-level Music will be encouraged to take a full part in the extra-curricular musical life at school by being involved in the ensemble groups, concerts and shows.