A Level Music

Please refer to EN's Entry Requirements Guide for specific advice on our Admissions Policy. This guide is supplied at interview to prospective students and is also available to Schools & Careers Advisers.

This course includes all the different aspects of Music including performance, composition, listening and appraising. It focuses on a student’s strengths of either performance or composition. This course is especially suitable if students want to go on to Higher Education to do a Music degree.

For AS Music (one year course)

With Performing there are a minimum of 2 pieces which last for 6-8 minutes in total. Can be solo or ensemble. Standard of at least grade 5. Performance to a visiting examiner.

With Composing, the students write 2 compositions, one according to a brief and one free composition. They must be 4 and ½ to 7 minutes long in total.

With Appraising, this is assessed in the form of a written exam which is 1 and ½ hours long. Students have to study 2 movements from Mendelssohn’s ‘Italian’ symphony. In addition they have to study a set topic and can choose from Rock and Pop, Musical Theatre or Jazz. There is also a Listening section to the exam paper which includes unseen pieces which are related to the set works.

For A level Music (two year course)

With Performing, students can major in Performance (option A) and can opt to have it weighted at 35% (they can also opt to have it at 25% if they choose to major in Composition – option B). If they choose option A then the recital needs to be 10-12 minutes long, a minimum of 3 pieces and grade 6+ in standard. If they choose performance as the minor (option B worth 25%) then the recital needs to be 6-8 minutes long. Performance to a visiting examiner. With Composition, students can major in composition (option B) and can opt to have it weighted at 35% (they can also opt to have it at 25% if they choose to major in Performance – option A). If they choose option B then they would need to write 3 compositions lasting 8 – 10 minutes. If they choose performance as the minor (option A worth 25%) then the 3 compositions need to be 4 – 6 minutes in total.

With Appraising, this is assessed in the form of a written exam which is 2 and a ¼ hours long. Students have to study all 4 movements from Mendelssohn’s ‘Italian’ symphony. They also have to study 2 pieces from the early Twentieth Century by Poulenc and Debussy. In addition they have to study a set topic which will be the same as the one studied in AS but will be extended. There is also a Listening section to the exam paper which includes unseen pieces which are related to the set works.

Unit 1 – 30% - Performing (performance to visiting examiner)

Unit 2 – 30% - Composing (coursework)

Unit 3 – 40% – Appraising (written exam)

A-level:

Unit 1 – 35% - Performing (or 25% - see above) (performance to visiting examiner)

Unit 2 – 25% Composition (or 35% - see above)(coursework)

Unit 3 – 40% Appraising (written exam)

Grade 4 or above in GCSE English Language and Grade 4 or above in GCSE Maths. A minimum of Grade 6 in GCSE Music or Merit or higher in Grade 5 Musical Theory (ABRSM, Rock School or Trinity) plus Grade 5 Instrument/Voice.

This course is especially suitable if students want to go on to Higher Education to do a Music degree or to be accepted on any other degree course. After a Music degree there are careers in education (primary and secondary), instrumental teaching, performance, music therapy and arts administration possible. It is also valued as an academic degree at all Russell Group universities.