Music A Level

Miss L Gillot

Why take Music A Level?

♪ Creative – engage with performing and composition of Music.

♪ Academic – analytical study of set works and music theory.

♪ Recognised by universities as both an academic and a creative subject.

♪ Increases confidence through performing element and increases independence and team building skills.

♪ Teaches transferable skills such as problem solving and analysis.

♪ Lots of opportunities to develop skills further in extra curricular

30%♪ Continue to develop performance skills as

a soloist and ensemble player

♪ Grade 5 standard minimum

♪ 8 minute recital in April of Year 13

♪ 30 mins individual free tuition

Performing

Composing

♪ 2 compositions to be submitted in Year 13

♪ 1 composition set by a brief

♪ 1 free or free choice brief

(min. 4 mins in length)

♪ 1 brief assessing technique

(min 1 min. in length)

30%

40%

Appraising

Students will develop knowledge and understanding of:

• Musical elements – organisation of pitch, tonality,

structure, sonority, texture, tempo, metre and rhythm

and dynamics

• Musical contexts – the effect of purpose and

intention and the effect of an audience, time and place

• Musical language – major and minor chords, reading

and writing of staff notation, using appropriate musical

vocabulary

40%

Appraising

• Vocal Music

• Instrumental Music

• Music for Film

• Popular Music and Jazz

• Fusions

• New Directions

Areas of Study

40%

Set Works

Vocal Music

● J. S. Bach, Cantata, Ein feste Burg, BWV 80:

Movements 1, 2, 8

● Mozart, The Magic Flute: Excerpts from Act I no. 4

(Queen of the Night), 5 (Quintet)

● Vaughan Williams, On Wenlock Edge: Nos. 1, 3

and 5 (On Wenlock Edge, Is my team ploughing?

and Bredon Hill)

Instrumental Music

● Vivaldi, Concerto in D minor, Op. 3 No. 11

● Clara Wieck-Schumann, Piano Trio in G minor,

Op. 17: movement 1

● Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique: Movement I

40%

Set Works

Music for Film

● Danny Elfman, Batman Returns: Main theme (Birth of a Penguin

Part II), Birth of a Penguin Part I, Rise and fall from grace, and

Batman vs the Circus

● Rachel Portman, The Duchess: The Duchess and End titles,

Mistake of your life, Six years later, and Never see your children again

● Bernard Herrmann, Psycho: Prelude, The City, Marion, The Murder

(Shower Scene), The Toys, The Cellar, Discovery, Finale

Popular Music and Jazz

● Courtney Pine, Back in the Day: Inner state (of mind), Lady Day and

(John Coltrane), and Love and affection

● Kate Bush, Hounds of Love: Cloudbusting, And dream of sheep, and

Under ice

● Beatles, Revolver: Eleanor Rigby, Here, there and everywhere, I want

to tell you, and Tomorrow never knows

40%

Set Works

Fusions

● Debussy, Estampes: Nos. 1 and 2 (Pagodes and

La soirée dans Grenade)

● Familia Valera Miranda, Caña Quema: Alla vá

candela and Se quema la chumbambà

● Anoushka Shankar, Breathing Under Water: Burn,

Breathing Under Water and Easy

New Directions

● Cage, Three Dances for two prepared pianos: No. 1

● Kaija Saariaho, Petals for Violoncello and Live

Electronics

● Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring

40%

Appraising

The Exam

2 hours

The paper will include multiple choice, short

open and extended writing questions.

Each student will have a CD containing the

extracts of music relating to the exam, and will

be in control of listening to the extracts relating

to each question.

Why take Music?

• Love of Music

• Passion and interest in exploring different musical styles

• Coursework/creative/practical elements

• A contrast to other subjects

• Well regarded by universities

• Good teacher:student ratio

• Lots of personalised support in learning

• Extra-curricular opportunities to lead ensembles and have a significant role in the musical community of the school.

• A strong tradition of good results

2015 : 100% A-B

2014 : 75% A-B

The students’ views