A LEVEL MUSIC

Exam Board

EDUQAS

 

Overview

The music A Level course allows you to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for further study of music at a university or conservatoire. If you have a real passion for music, studying at A Level will expand and develop your passion whilst widening your knowledge and understanding of composers, genres and eras.

 

Why Choose This?

The course allows for you to play to your strengths, adjusting the emphasis on composing or performing depending on your preference and ability. The rest of the course aims to develop listening skills for which you have a mixture of set works and unprepared material. Again there is flexibility in which set works you study choosing between musical theatre, jazz and rock/pop as your specialism.

 

With the skills you learn in A level music you will have an excellent foundation for any role in the music industry (further specific training may be required). The music business is a vast, vibrant and varied industry, employing huge numbers of people   and generating billions every year globally. Music can also be a supporting A level for many other pathways such as medicine and law.

 

Areas of Study & Assessment

Component 1: Performing - Non-exam assessment, externally assessed by a visiting examiner

Option A (35%) Total performance duration 10-12 minutes

A Performance consisting of a minimum of three pieces.

Option B (25%) Total performance duration 6-8 minutes

A Performance consisting of a minimum of two pieces

 

Component 2: Composing - Non-exam assessment, externally assessed by an examiner

Option A (25%) Total duration of compositions 4-6 minutes

Two compositions.

Option B (35%) Total duration of compositions 8-10 minutes

Three compositions.

 

Component 3: Appraising - (40%) 2 hours 15 minute written examination

The written examination focuses on three areas of study

Area of study A: The Western Classical Tradition

Area of study B: One of the following options:

Rock and Pop (1960-2000); Musical Theatre; Jazz (1920-1960)

 

Area of study C: Students will explore music in the 20th Century.

 

What Our Students Say

Music A level allows you to develop your performing, listening, analysis and compositional skills. It is enjoyable and it allows you to think in a completely different way. The course allows you to explore a wide variety of genres and music styles that you wouldn’t necessarily listen too. So not only do you study classical pieces by Bach that one might associate with studying music, but, you also get to study contemporary, world and film music. Additionally, you receive a free music lesson per week which means you can either learn a new instrument to widen your musical abilities or have more lessons on your primary instrument to develop your playing.

 

The music teachers at Lordswood are very knowledgeable and they all specialise in different areas in music which means you receive expert teaching on each area of music. The teachers are dedicated, welcoming and are always willing to help you if you struggle with anything - their office is always open for any help or advice that you may need, even if it’s not specifically about music. I would highly recommend studying A-Level Music, especially at Lordswood because of the teaching quality, the friendliness of the department and the extra opportunities studying music at Lordswood brings you.