Music - AS/A2 AQA
Why choose Music?
Studying music will give you the opportunity to develop your talents and confidence as a musician through performance, composition and analysis.
The course looks at a range of styles, classical and popular, and allows you to understand music at a deeper level.
What can I expect to learn?
The course has three elements: performance, composition and listening and understanding.
You will have the opportunity to take part in group and solo performances.
You will develop the skill of notated composition and will use this to write your own compositions.
You will learn how music of different types has been composed and put together, and develop your skills of listening and analysis.
How will I learn?
You will learn through listening to and exploring a full range of classical and popular music. You will also learn how music is put together and try these ideas yourself. You will learn to write about music, develop your performance skills and will compose your own music. You will go to concerts and trips to meet other musicians.
You will have access to a brand new recording studio and specialist music computers and practice rooms with high quality instruments.
How will I be assessed?
AS -
Listening Paper (30 minutes) and Written Exam (1 hour 15 minutes) - externally assessed.
Composition - free or in a particular style (externally assessed).
Performance - (10 to 16 minutes through course) solos, ensemble, or technology based (internally assessed).
A2 -
Listening Paper (45 minutes) and Essay Questions (1 hour 30 minutes) - externally assessed.
Composition - free, style or arrangement - externally assessed.
Performance (15 minutes) solo or technology based - externally assessed.
What subjects combine well with Music?
Music combines well with most subjects from the arts and humanities through to the sciences.
Where does this lead? What can I do next?
You can go on to study at music college or university. Potential career paths include the performance industry, teaching, the music and media industry as well as the arts world generally. Success at music A Level highlights your self-discipline, commitment, and creativity and shows you can work well by yourself and as part of a team.
What background, skills and achievements do I need?
A minimum of a grade B at GCSE or a grade C with grade 5 music theory. All students should be able to play a musical instrument, working towards grade 5, as a minimum.
"A painter paints pictures on canvas, but musicians paint their pictures on silence."
Leopold Stokowski
