Music

This course will appeal to students who want to enrich their appreciation and enjoyment of music. It will prepare those students who wish to study music further and those who wish it to remain a life-long interest.

The music A-level course allows students to investigate, analyse and evaluate music and its features. The set works enable students to conduct in depth studies into different musical styles, all supported by practical and compositional elements. Studying music will help you to develop key skills in performing, composing, theory, listening and analysing. You will learn how the great classical composers approached their music, as well as studying other styles. You will develop your performing skills, deepening your interpretation and expressive skills. You will learn how to compose in different styles, as well as learning the methods behind the composition styles of the baroque and classical eras. Finally, you will develop your skills in analysis, learning how composers built and developed their compositions.

Music helps you to develop a variety of skills such as analysis, dedication, group skills, self-confidence and self-reliance, as well as providing a means of artistic expression and relaxation. It stretches your imagination and playing an instrument also makes you think and react quickly. Skills such as these are not just prized within music careers, they are valuable to all types of employers. Career opportunities include:

• performing
  
• composing
• working in the sound industry
• teaching
• music therapy
• further study of music in higher education
• vocational courses such as the BTEC National in Music and Music Technology
• apprenticeships or other training