A Level Music

Course summary

QEHS has a well-deserved reputation for producing musicians of a high standard, many of whom go on to follow music as their chosen career. The A Level music course builds on the GCSE skills of performing, composing and appraising in ways that emphasise their interdependence. Students study a wide range of music, including rock, pop, musical theatre, jazz, twentieth and twenty-first century music and western classical music, as well as popular and classical traditions of non-western origin and are able to perform on any instrument (or voice). Although A Level Music follows the same key areas of listening, history, composition and performance, students are expected to work more independently, learn research skills and produce extended pieces of writing. There are three units representing the three major activities of this qualification: performing, composing and listening/analysing; Performing : 10-12 min performance – 35%; Composing : two compositions – 25%; Developing Musical Understanding : written examination – 40% Students studying A Level music will often progress to degree-level courses in music, performing arts or music technology at universities and conservatoires.