The A level music syllabus provides opportunity for students to: • Study and practise critical listening skills. • Develop an understanding of compositional techniques and creative music writing. • Achieve confident, advanced performance skills. • Acquire skills of study and research through written and listening papers. • Develop a lifelong interest and enjoyment in listening to, and music making. In A Level Music you will cover three components: Appraising Music, Performance and Composition. Component One: Appraising Music Appraising Music focuses on developing students listening skills. The areas of study provide an appropriate focus for students to appraise, develop and demonstrate an indepth knowledge and understanding of musical elements, musical contexts and musical language. The areas of study can also provide a rich source of material for your students to work with when developing performance and composition skills. All students must study the Western classical tradition (1650-1910), which covers three strands from three key genres: • Baroque: the solo concerto • Classical: the operas of Mozart • Romantic: the piano music of Chopin, Brahms and Grieg Students will also study Jazz and Music Theatre in detail as further areas of study. Students will be expected to critically analyse a set work from these chosen strands. Component Two : Performance Skills Focusing on performance skills you will develop your solo and ensemble skills to prepare for a recital to last a minimum of ten minutes. Component Three: Composition You will learn how to develop musical ideas and compose music both in response to a set brief and within a ‘free composition’. A minimum of four and a half minutes of music in total is required. Students will need to be organised, able to meet deadlines and have an excellent attendance record. Desirable skills include being an analytical listener, confident performer and good essay writing skills.