A Level Music

Board: AQA

Head of Department: Anna Broad

Since the course involves quite a lot of reading of scores and notation, Grade V Theory is an absolute requirement.

Students are required to take part in departmentally organised groups and ensembles where appropriate. We offer Chamber Choir, Jazz Choir, Orchestra, Jazz & Classical chamber groups, Jazzband. The concert programme allows for a wide range of musical styles with traditional Christmas and summer concerts as well as Acoustic Folk Night - Unplugged, soloist concerts and Axemonsters - the annual rock concert. Each year the Music Department stages a musical production. Past performances include Hot on the Rocks, Cabaret, Busy and Dido and Aeneas.

Regular trips to a variety of concerts take place which are relevant to the course.

Workshops with English National Opera, Latin American music, Jazz and Improvisation take place during the school year.

AS

Unit 1 Influences on Music

1 hour 45 mins written exam
Listening Paper and 2 Essay questions on Areas of Study
Areas of Study are : The Western Classical Tradition and either Choral Music in the Baroque Period or Musical Theatre

Unit 2 Composing/Creating Musical Ideas

Externally Assessed Coursework
Compositional Techniques 4 part harmony writing and 2 part melody writing

Unit 3 Performing/Interpreting Musical Ideas

Internally Assessed Coursework
16 minute recital featuring a selection from solo, ensemble, Music Technology, second instrument based performances

A2

Unit 4 Music in Context

2 hours 15 mins written exam
Listening Paper and Essay Questions on the two areas of Study - The Western Classical Tradition and Four Decades of Jazz and Blues 1910 to 1950.

Unit 5 Composing/Developing Musical Ideas

Externally assessed coursework
Harmony techniques - write a four part Bach Chorale and String Quartet or Composition

Unit 6 Performing : A musical performance

Externally Assessed Coursework 15 minute solo recital

Entry requirements:

GCSE Music - Grade A or above. Grade V Theory. Grade V or equivalent standard at one instrument or voice