Music A Level

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR SEPTEMBER 2026 ENTRY.

Entry Requirements - Please follow the link and download our Options Guide to view the entry requirements for Sixth Form and individual subjects https://www.queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk/learning/sixth-form/thinking-about-joining-queen-elizabeths-grammar-school-for-sixth-form/

How to Apply -

Internals - Google Form - Speak to Mr Cowlam or Mrs Gossling

Externals - Through Kent Choices

https://www.queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk/learning/sixth-form/applying-to-the-sixth-form/

You must select a minimum AND maximum of 5 subject choices:

Option A - 3 main subject choices* + an enhancement subject choice** + a reserve subject choice***

Option B - 4 main subject choices + a reserve subject choice

*a main subject choice is a full A Level subject e.g Mathematics/Geography/Physics/German etc
** an enhancement subject choice is either EPQ, Maths in Context or Trinity Acting Exams
***a reserve choice can be either a full A Level or another enhancement option

The Queen Elizabeth’s Music department has now expanded to include a full A Level in Music. We also follow the AQA syllabus for A Level Music due to its holistic view of Music, studying musicians from Bach to Beyoncé and Monteverdi to Miles Davis.

The course is split into three core components:

Appraising Music (40%) - Pupils will build on their knowledge base from GCSE Music, and continue to develop their contextual understanding of Music, as well as developing analytical skills through both listening and formal analysis. There are seven areas of study. Area of Study 1 is compulsory, and all three sections of it are studied in detail. Two additional Areas of Study are then selected from AoS2-7:

• Western classical tradition 1650–1910 (compulsory)

• Baroque Solo Concerto

• Operas of Mozart

• Romantic Piano Music

• Pop music

• Music for media

• Music for theatre

• Jazz

• Contemporary traditional music

• Art music since 1910

Performing Music (30%) - Pupils will have plenty of opportunities to perform during the A Level course, both as a soloist and as a part of an ensemble. The course requires a minimum of 10 minutes total performance time to complete this section of the course. The 10 minutes can comprise of different pieces that total at least 10 minutes. This can be a combination of solo and ensemble performances, or a focus on solo or ensemble playing. Throughout this course, pupils are expected to contribute to either the school band or choir, to help develop their ensemble performance skills.

Composing Music (30%) - Throughout the course, pupils will develop compositional skills through a range of tasks, ranging from pastiche composing to arranging, as well as score reduction and expansion. The focus of A Level composition is learning how to develop musical ideas, including extending and manipulating musical ideas, and compose music that is musically convincing. This is assessed through two compositions - one in response to an externally set brief (Composition 1) and the other a free composition (Composition 2). The combined duration of the compositions must be a minimum of four and a half minutes.

For more information, feel free to download a copy of the AQA A Level Music specification:

http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/music/specifications/AQA-7272-SP-2016.PDF

Component 1: Appraising music (exam)

Component 2: Performing music (practical)

Component 3: Composing music (coursework)

You must achieve a Grade 6 or higher at GCSE Music, and play at least one instrument or sing at approximate Grade 5 standard or higher.

You could take this course with other advanced level courses to prepare for higher education in Music related courses or more general higher education courses.With further training, you could go into a job related to Music such as a Music Composer, Musician, Sound Technician or you may wish to use your music ability for recreational purposes. The course is designed to provide you with access to a range of music related employment and will also develop the skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of other industries are looking for.Music can be studied at Higher Education as a discrete subject or as a combined degree. It is also a good starting point for performing arts, arts administration and other related careers.