Key Stage 5

Courses in ‘A’ level music (Edexcel) and BTEC Performing are offered.

Students receive substantial class time and have access to the extensive peripatetic provision, dependent on availability, and to the range of enrichment activities that includes ‘Soul Band’, ‘Pop Choir’ and ‘String Ensemble’.

A Level Music

Students on the A level course will develop performance skills (solo and/or ensemble), compose music and learn about harmony.

They will build up their aural and analytical skills by studying a range of instrumental and vocal music from an anthology.

Performance:         

Students can choose to perform music in any style on any instrument(s) and/or voice(s). The performance should be five-six minutes. It is assessed by the school and moderated by the exam board. Notated and/or improvised performances may be submitted.

Composition:

This unit encourages students to develop their composition skills leading to the creation of a three-minute piece in response to a chosen brief. Students also write a CD sleeve note to describe aspects of their final composition and explain how other pieces of music have influenced it. Students select a composition brief from a choice of four published by the exam board. The composition and CD sleeve note will be externally assessed.

Listening:

This unit focuses on listening to familiar music and understanding how it works. Set works from the anthology provide the focus for the first two sections, through listening and studying scores. Students learn how to identify important musical features and social and historical context. In the third section, students use a score to identify harmonic and tonal features and then apply this knowledge in the completion of a short and simple passage for SATB. Assessment is through a 2-hour examination paper set and marked by Edexcel.

Key Stage 5 Revision

Use this document to get ahead!

Plan your home revision schedule to fit in with what we are doing in class.

Year 13 Spring Term Music In-Class Revision Schedule