Sixth Form Subject Guide 2019-2021 REDRAFTED Sixth Form Choices Guide | Page 29

A Level Music (EDXCEL) HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Mr E Coleman ([email protected]) Entry Requirements Grade B in GCSE Music or equivalent and ideally Grade 5 Theory. Performing skills equivalent to Grade 6. Where next? University options include “traditional” Music at Universities, some of which have more of a performing focus than others, conservatoires for performers, Music Theatre courses and Music Technology and popular music routes at, for example, the Brighton Institute of Modern Music. Many universities, including Oxbridge and Durham, offer choral and organ scholarships. Careers include performing, composing and arranging (following in the footsteps of alumni Benjamin Britten and Lennox Berkeley), teaching, arts administration, music publishing, music therapy and recording in the music industry. WHAT WILL I STUDY? Component 1: Appraising Music. You will study a wide range of pieces of music from across the world and from different time periods, developing listening and analysing skills. The topics include Western classical tradition 1650-1910, Music for theatre and Jazz. The exam will include listening to music you have studied and responding to what you hear. Component 2: Performance. You will prepare with your instrumental teacher a solo or ensemble performance of 10-12 minutes in length to perform in front of an audience, which will be recorded. Component 3: Composition. You will compose two pieces of music of 2½-4 minutes in length. There is considerable breath to the options available for composition. HOW IS THE COURSE ASSESSED? Component 1 is assessed by exam at the end of the two-year linear course, worth 40%. Component 2 is assessed by concert performance between 1 March and 31 May in the Upper Sixth and is worth 35%. Component 3 is coursework and is worth 25%.