Music GCE A Level (AQA) at Guiseley School
This subject is a two year, linear A level course. This means that the whole course is assessed in Year 13.
Music is widely regarded as a challenging and exciting A level that combines well with other arts and humanities subjects and with maths, IT and physics. It inspires creativity and expression in a way that no other subject can. The course gives an opportunity for you to develop performance and composition skills as well as to further your knowledge of different music styles. There is plenty of scope to perform and compose music that appeals to you but an open mind to all types of music is essential. Music technology is fully integrated into the curriculum with opportunities to compose and perform using this format.
GCSE music is not an essential requirement but it serves a useful foundation. You need sound performing skills (Grade 4 minimum) as you will need to prepare 10-12 minutes of music of your choice. You will be expected to read music from a score for part of the examination so if your reading skills are poor or restricted to reading tablature then be prepared to improve your skills.
Enthusiasm is a key requirement. You will prepare for and perform in a Sixth Form concert, have the opportunity to go on Sixth Form concert trips. E.g. Visit the Huddersfield contemporary festival and see live music performed in Leeds and Bradford. Getting involved in teaching younger students and/or being involved in the extra-curricular life of the school is also important and valuable.
You will develop an understanding of the organisation of sounds, the context of music, and musical styles and genres. You will be encouraged to engage critically and creatively with a wide range of music and musical contexts. You will have scope to develop particular strengths and interests.
5 GCSEs grade 4-9, this is normally expected to include Maths and English Language or Literature.
Students will be expected to achieve at least a grade 5 in the A level subjects that they wish to study.
The Subject content is divided into three components: • Appraising music • Performance • Composition.
UNIT 1: Appraising Music (40% of A level - externally marked)
You must study Area of study 1: Western classical tradition 1650–1910
• Baroque: the solo concerto • Classical: the operas of Mozart • Romantic: the piano music of Chopin, Brahms and Grieg.
You must be able to listen attentively to unfamiliar music from each of the three strands to identify and accurately describe musical elements and use musical language (including staff notation).
and choose two from Areas of study 2–7.
2. Pop music 3. Music for media 4. Music for theatre 5. Jazz 6. Contemporary traditional music 7. Art music since 1910.
You must be able to listen attentively to unfamiliar music from all the named artists/ composers in your selected area of study to identify and accurately describe musical elements and use musical language (including staff notation).
UNIT 2: Performance (35% of A level – externally marked)
You must be able to perform music using one or both of the following ways:
• instrumental/vocal: as a soloist, and/or as part of an ensemble • production: via music technology.
You must perform for a minimum of ten minutes and a maximum of twelve minutes in total.
You must be able to interpret relevant musical elements, using resources and techniques as appropriate, to communicate musical ideas with technical and expressive control.
UNIT 3: Composition (25% of A level – externally marked)
You must learn how to develop musical ideas and compose music that is musically convincing through two compositions. One must be in response to an externally set brief (Composition 1) and the other a free composition (Composition 2). The combined duration of the compositions must be a minimum of four and half minutes, and a maximum of six minutes.
Careers in the music business include promotion, administration, performance, music therapy, sound engineering and teaching. Former students have continued their performance studies at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Guildhall School of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, Scottish Conservatoire, Hull University, Huddersfield University and the Royal Northern College of Music. Students have a choice of the musicological or highly practical type university courses with different institutions allowing students to develop their interests in a wide variety of fields, e.g. Contemporary Music, composition, electronic music, performance, jazz, popular music or baroque studies. Whilst many students do go on to study music further, other students opt for music as it is an enjoyable subject to study and because it complements a wide and varied range of subjects. The A level shows breadth of interest when applying for a non-music degree. What all these students had in common though was a love of music!
Individual learning is an important part of your course. You need to make use of the facilities outside lesson time. Building on your strengths and developing areas that you are less confident in is the key to success. Tutorial style lessons, independent learning with IT software, preparation of presentations, devising revision materials and games, and lots of composing and performing will help keep lessons varied.
How to apply
You can apply for this course through UCAS Progress. Add this course to your favourites so you can start making an application.