Music

Music is a subject which develops a wide variety of skills, both academic and practical, which have a great impact on wider academic development in terms of the acquisition of analytical and problem solving expertise. The subject also enhances talented pupils’ team-working skills as well as their creative proficiency and abilities as confident and communicative performers.

Fourth Form

The broadly-based Fourth Form course caters for pupils of diverse musical and academic abilities whilst offering a rounded introduction to musical history, composition and performance across a wide range of styles. 

GCSE

The GCSE course (Edexcel specification) builds on the techniques studied in the Fourth Form in a more detailed manner and the course is taught and examined in three distinct strands: Performing (a portfolio of solo and ensemble performances created during the course), Composition (the chance for pupils to create two original compositions or arrangements of existing works) and Listening and Appraising (a ninety minute examination focusing on identification of musical techniques, dictation and composition of short essays on musical works). The Composition and Listening and Appraising courses are based on four areas of study: Western Classical Music, Music in the Twentieth Century, Popular Music in Context and World Music. It is essential that pupils embarking on the GCSE course are able to play one or more instruments to at least the standard of ABRSM Grade 4 and it is of paramount importance that pupils following the course are keen to explore a wide variety of music, some of which will undoubtedly lie outside their personal interests.

Sixth Form

AS/A2 Music attracts those who have taken a GCSE in Music and who have a strong grounding in practical music as well as a comprehensive awareness of musical styles and forms. If you perform to high level (Grades 6-8), and have a genuine interest in a wide variety of music and how it works, you are likely to gain a great deal of enjoyment from the course and to score well. Music has long been recognised by universities as a valuable entrance qualification and is usefully combined with subjects from the arts, languages or science disciplines. The broad range of transferable skills and techniques offered by the course, such as the need to be able to research a topic, to display analytical skills, self- discipline and teamwork can help you in pursuing a wide range of courses at university.

The AS course is designed to allow you to study music as a practical, intellectual and creative subject which is organised in the now familiar tripartite structure: 'Performing', 'Composing' and 'Listening and Understanding'. Accordingly, the course is divided into three units:

Unit 1: Performing - Mixed Assessment

Externally assessed solo performance (one or two solo pieces lasting between five and six minutes which are recorded) and internally assessed performing during the course (including one of your own compositions).

Unit 2: Developing Musical Ideas - Externally assessed coursework

For this module you develop musical ideas in the form of two compositional technique tasks based on the study of four-part harmony in Bach chorales (compulsory) and the option of three-part Baroque counterpoint or creating a bass line for a 32-bar popular song. You are also required to write one composition lasting not more than three minutes in a prescribed genre or form such as music theatre, popular song or neo-classicism.

Unit 3: Listening and Understanding - Externally assessed examination

At the end of the course you will undertake a two-part written examination. The first part tests aural awareness, including an exercise in musical dictation. The second part tests knowledge and understanding of two Areas of Study (for example 'Music for Film and Television' and 'Sacred Vocal Music').

Most pupils who start the course continue from AS to A2. For A2, Units 4 to 6 offer you the chance to concentrate your work in areas of your personal strengths, for example to give a greater focus on performance or composition. However, a broad base of general musical skills taught in the AS course is retained and further developed at A2 level and includes a written paper based on further Areas of Study which requires more extended essay-style answers.