ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  • Grade 6+ in GCSE English
  • Grade 6+ in GCSE Music or Grade 5 in Music Theory. 
  • You must also be on track to pass Grade 6 performance in your principal instrument by the end of Year 12 
  • A passion for performing and composing music in a variety of styles and an interest in listening to, studying and analysing a wide variety of musical genres and styles

FUTURE PROGRESSION

  • A Level Music is an essential qualification for those wishing to study music at university or conservatoire. 
  • Careers directly linked to music include: professional musician, session musician, composer (stage/ screen/concert hall), music therapist, arts administrator, A&R manager, sound designer, sound technician, peripatetic teacher and producer

WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?

Component 1:

Students perform a programme of solo, or mixed solo and ensemble, repertoire to an external examiner. At least one performance must relate to the compulsory area of study for the written exam. Students will work closely with their class teacher and peripatetic teacher to choose appropriate and highly personalised repertoire. The standard level of difficulty is Grade 6, although Grade 5 pieces may be considered, so students must be able to reach this standard by the start of Year 13.

Component 2: 

Composing (Option A 25% / Option B 35%)

Students compose two (option A) or three (option B) pieces of music, one of which must respond to a brief set by the exam board, reflecting the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition. The other is a free composition. This is externally assessed by the exam board.

Component 3: 

Appraising (Written Exam: 2 hours 15 minutes - 40%)

Students explore three areas of study, including one compulsory (the Western Classical Tradition) and two optional from Rock and Pop, Musical Theatre or Jazz, and Twentieth Century or Twenty-first Century music. Questions include set work analysis using a score, extended responses on wider context, unfamiliar listening (with or without a score) and comparison questions.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact Miss Bell to discuss further 
rbell@stjohns.bhcet.org.uk