Examination Board: Edexcel

Topics: The six areas of study include: Vocal Music; Instrumental Music; Music for Film; Popular Music and Jazz; Fusions and New Directions.

• Performing – A minimum 8 minute recorded performance as a soloist and/or part of an ensemble in any style; any instrument is permitted.
• Composition & Technical Study – One composition, free or free choice brief lasting a minimum of 4 minutes & one technical study lasting a minimum of 1 minute (6 minutes in total).
• Listening – Aural identification of key features from extracts of music from the eighteen set works, from six areas of study, with the aid of a skeleton score with some rhythmic and melodic dictation.
• Investigating musical styles – written analysis of familiar set works as well as an essay on an unfamiliar work within the realm of the six areas of study. This will involve using your analytical and appraising skills to make evaluative and critical judgements about music (30%) demonstrating and applying musical knowledge (10%) with reference to your wider listening of other relevant

Assessment:

Component 1 (30%) Performing Component 2 (30%) Composing Component 3 (40%) Appraising

Skills Acquired:

• Practical – performance techniques, composition techniques, use of music technology.
• Interpretative – score reading & performing.
• Creative – composition techniques, composing and performing.
• Aural – interval development, genre development.
• Knowledge – instrumental music, vocal music and applied music as well as exploring the context in which different types of music are placed.

Why Study Music?

A Level music offers students an opportunity to explore and develop their understanding of the art form which they love.

Music combines creativity, imagination and academic study in a way that is unique.

It is a course which is highly regarded by universities and employers because it produces team players, analytical thinkers, performers under pressure and students who are determined and resilient.

Music will enhance your future whether or not you wish to study the discipline at university. Studying A Level music will make you stand out from the crowd!

What career or higher education options might this course lead to?

Music A level does not tie you to the arts but, of course, it is well suited to leading to a music college degree, university music degree, teaching qualification or work in the arts in general. Beyond that, recruiters for universities and employers will find the diversity of your study to be interesting and valuable.

What other courses often combine successfully with this?

English, Languages, Drama, Art, Maths, Sciences, Humanities.

What kinds of students are most suited to this course?

You will need to have the potential to achieve a minimum performance standard of Grade 7 by the end of the course in Year 13. You must be able to demonstrate that it is likely that you will be able to reach this standard.

We strongly advise you to take advantage of a recognised instrumental or vocal teacher’s support for this part of the course. You will need to have a secure grasp of staff notation (treble and bass) and general music theory, but may be able to join the weekly theory workshops that exist at Bennett.

It would be beneficial if you have had some experience of composition, for example as part of a GCSE course. You should be willing to study a wide range of genres and eras of music.

What extra-curricular activities support this course?

All students studying music are expected to support the worship band and attend the chamber choir.

Most students attend more ensembles and also assist in a leadership capacity.

You should also be willing to join in other ‘ad hoc’ groups and perform at events such as Open Evenings, Parent Consultations, Concerts, and Competitions etc.

Quotations from music students:

“Challenging but fun. Great team spirit. The teachers really bring it to life.”

“The high quality of all the music making at Bennett really helps you to gain confidence as a performer.”

“The Bennett Music Academy is awesome. Learning any instrument or having vocal lessons with amazing professional musicians and teachers sets Bennett apart from other schools.”