Music A Level
Harvey Grammar School
Cheriton Road, FOLKESTONE, Kent, CT19 5JY
Available start dates
Available start dates
Application Instructions
Applications Open - waiting for information from school
Applications Close - waiting for information from school
Entry Requirements: - GCSE grade 5 in English (Language or Literature) and GCSE grade 5 in Mathematics
Entry criteria for individual subjects must be met in order to access those courses.
How to Apply:
External Applicants - please apply via KentChoices
Internal Applicants - there is no need to apply via KentChoices, please visit Talisman for further information
Course Summary
MUSIC
Examining Board: OCR, Head of Department: Mr S J Barker
A Level Music is a course for those who have a passion for music. It aims to build upon skills that you have learnt through Key Stage 4 and/or through experiences away from the classroom that you may wish to cement with a good academic grounding. The course is excellent preparation for higher education courses in music, but is equally valuable for non-specialists as a second or third area of study.
In order to succeed, you will need to have a passion for music and be keen to develop your performance, composition, listening and analysis skills. You are expected to have achieved at least a grade B in Music at GCSE, or a Level 2 Distinction in Music BTEC, or have significant musical experience that is of a similar standard. Performance skills of at least grade 5 ABRSM (or equivalent) standard are required, and you will need to be receiving professional tuition on your chosen performance instrument.
Course Details
Areas of Study
Students will study music from four contrasting areas of study. For 2016-18, these will be:
- Instrumental Music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven
- Popular Song: Blues, Jazz, Swing and Big Band
- Religious Music of the Baroque Period
- Innovations in Music: 1900 to the present day
The Areas of Study encourage a musical and practical approach to learning, and promote an integration between the skills of performing, composing, and appraising (listening).
Performance (35% of total A level)
A recital lasting a minimum of ten minutes of at least three contrasting pieces. You will perform music showing technical and expressive control, and an understanding of style and context. You may choose to relate your recital to one or more of the Areas of Study to demonstrate your understanding of style and context, and to inform your performance choices.
Composition (25% of total A level)
You will complete two compositions, with a combined duration of at least four minutes. One will be in response to a brief set by OCR, and the second in response to a brief set by yourself in consultation with your teacher. You will be expected to make use of the musical elements, techniques and resources to create and develop musical ideas with technical control and expressive understanding.
Listening and appraising (40% of total A level)
Through the investigation and in-depth study of the large variety of music contained in the areas of study, you will further develop your knowledge and understanding of the musical elements, contexts and language. This will be assessed through one exam lasting two and a half hours, in which you’ll answer questions on familiar and unfamiliar pieces; some questions will be in response to listening to extracts of music, and others will require longer essay answers.
How will it be delivered and assessed?
Entry requirements
Music
Entry Criteria: GCSE grade 6 in Music or a Level 2 Distinction in Music BTEC, or have significant musical experience that is of a similar standard. Performance skills of at least grade 5 ABRSM (or equivalent) standard are required, and receiving professional tuition on your chosen performance instrument.
Plus: GCSE grade 5 in English (Language or Literature) and GCSE grade 5 in Mathematics
Your next steps...
Jobs directly related to music (but would usually require further study at degree level):
- Music therapist
- Musician
- Private music teacher
- Secondary school teacher
- Sound technician, broadcasting/film/video
- Arts administrator
- Broadcast engineer
- Community arts worker
- Event organiser
- Radio broadcast assistant
- Radio producer
For more courses like this, check our courses page.