Music

Director of Music: Mrs R Greaves, The Green School for Girls

The course aims to develop performing and composing skills, broaden musical experiences, understanding and knowledge and enable you to engage with and appreciate the diverse heritage of music.

There are 6 units. 30% of each year is the performance unit, consisting of a 6 minute recital for the first year and an 8 minute recital for the second year. The composition unit is worth 30% of the qualification and consists of 2 compositions each year, one to a set brief and the other a free composition and will involve training in the use of Logic software and other compositional tools. The appraisal unit is worth 40% of the qualification and consists of a written paper, with questions relating to set works, melodic and/or rhythmic dictation and short essay questions.

How will it be assessed?

A-level Music, two-year linear course. Examining board: EDEXCEL (Pearson).

There are two non-examined assessment components and one written paper.

Year 12:

Unit 1 Performing: 6 minute recital in front of an audience (30%)
Unit 2 Composing: Two compositions, one set to a brief, one a free composition (30%)
Unit 3 Appraising: One written paper of 90 minutes/2 hours, including set and unseen works and extended exam questions (40%)

Year 13:

Unit 4 Performing: 8 minute recital as a public performance (30%)
Unit 5 Composing: Two compositions, one to a brief set by Edexcel and one either free composition or also to a brief. The total time across both submissions must be a minimum of 6 minutes. (30%)
Unit 6 Appraising: One written paper of 2 hours, including set works and unseen works, plus extended responses. (40%)

Where will it lead?

The course is excellent preparation for higher education courses in music but is equally valuable for students who are going on to study courses that require confidence in their performance abilities, as well as those which require students to demonstrate excellent communication skills, critical thinking and non-routine problem-solving skills.

Enrichment opportunities

Regular trips to musical performances and workshops to develop compositional skills and multiple performance opportunities in front of a wider audience, both at the school and in the community.

Entry requirements

Grade 6 in GCSE Music.

You should also ideally be at least Grade 5 in your instrument and have taken Grade 5 Theory.