Why study Music?

The A-level in Music is designed to be relevant and contemporary. The course offers a qualification that offers students the chance to study a wide range of musical genres. It brings listening, performance and composition to life in new and engaging ways, and links to the world around us like never before.

Every student has different learning styles and musical tastes, which is why the course values all music styles, skills and instruments. Studying Music A-level is a chance to broaden your minds and foster a love of all music with a qualification that a mixture of all abilities and backgrounds will enjoy.

Music is constantly evolving, inspiring creativity and expression in a way that no other subject can.

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Specifics

  • Course specific entry requirements

    Grade 4 from GCSE Music. Ability to play and read music at Grade 5

  • Assessment methods

    Exams and coursework

  • Course duration

    2 years

  • Course type

    Linear A-level

  • Exam board

    AQA

Course content summary:

  • Appraising Music

    40% of A-level Music

  • Music performance

    35% of A-level Music

  • Composition

    25% of A-level Music

Appraising Music

  • Section A: Listening
  • Section B: Analysis
  • Section C: Contextual Understanding

Appraising Music: Area of Study 1 for A-level Music

  • Strand A: Baroque solo concerto
  • Strand B: The operas of Mozart
  • Strand C: The piano music of Chopin, Brahms and Grieg

Appraising Music: Areas of Study 2 – 7 for A-level Music

  • Pop music
  • Music for media
  • Music for theatre
  • Jazz
  • Contemporary traditional music
  • Art music since 1910.

Music performance

  • Solo and/or ensemble performance as an instrumentalist and/or vocalist.
  • Students must perform for a minimum of 6 minutes and a maximum of 8 minutes in total in first year of study.
  • Students must perform for a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 12 minutes in total in second year of study.

Composition

  • Composition 1: Composition to a brief
  • Composition 2: Free composition
  • The combined duration of the compositions must be a minimum of four and half minutes, and a maximum of six minutes.

Superb course feedback

  • 100% of students are satisfied with the overall quality of the course

  • 100% of students feel their lessons are well taught

  • 97% of students agree they are given feedback that helps them to improve

Appraising Music

  • Section A: Listening
  • Section B: Analysis
  • Section C: Contextual Understanding

Appraising Music: Area of Study 1 for A-level Music

  • Strand A: Baroque solo concerto
  • Strand B: The operas of Mozart
  • Strand C: The piano music of Chopin, Brahms and Grieg

Appraising Music: Areas of Study 2 – 7 for A-level Music

  • Pop music
  • Music for media
  • Music for theatre
  • Jazz
  • Contemporary traditional music
  • Art music since 1910.

Music performance

  • Solo and/or ensemble performance as an instrumentalist and/or vocalist.
  • Students must perform for a minimum of 6 minutes and a maximum of 8 minutes in total in first year of study.
  • Students must perform for a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 12 minutes in total in second year of study.

Composition

  • Composition 1: Composition to a brief
  • Composition 2: Free composition
  • The combined duration of the compositions must be a minimum of four and half minutes, and a maximum of six minutes.

Superb course feedback

  • 100% of students are satisfied with the overall quality of the course

  • 100% of students feel their lessons are well taught

  • 97% of students agree they are given feedback that helps them to improve