Music A Level

If you can play an instrument to grade 5 standard and are interested in analysing a broad range of music, composing, and performing, this course will help strengthen those skills. You should have a broad understanding of the development of Western music and be able to play your instrument in a range of styles. It is essential that you are able to read music.

The course is made up of three components that focus on different skill sets:

Component 1 (Performance):

Focused on the development of your performance on your instrument, culminating in a solo performance of one or more pieces performed as a recital.

Component 2 (Composing):

These elements look at the creation of pieces of music using a wide variety of techniques. It leads to the creation of three compositions; two set to a brief and one free composition.

Component 3 (Appraising):

You will look at a wide range of musical history/development in the Western tradition through six areas of study:

• The Western classical and 4 set works tradition
• Rock and Pop
• Musical Theatre
• Jazz
• Into the Twentieth Century.

This leads to a formal written exam lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Component 1: 25% or 35% depending on option taken (Option 1 Composition/Option 2 Performance).

Component 2: 25% or 35% depending on option taken (Option 1 Composition/Option 2 Performance).

Component 3: Written examination (40%) responding to questions relating to the area of studies.

You could study Music at degree level at a university or music college. Professional work is diverse but includes performing, teaching, management, TV, radio and record production.