MUSIC
The A Level Music course imaginatively explores the three musical disciplines: performance, composition and analysis. It is tailored to your strengths as coursework is weighted to the skills you most enjoy. We follow the OCR specifications with 60% coursework and 40% examination. It ranges from classical to jazz and covers diverse musical interests. Instrumentalists and singers Grade 6 and above are well suited to this course regardless of having taken the subject at GCSE. A Level Unit 1 Performing
Unit 2 Composing
Unit 3 Historical Study
You will give a recital in your Upper Sixth year. The duration of this ranges from either 6 to 12 minutes depending on your coursework weighting. For candidates applying the minimum 25%, recitals are required to be 6 minutes, the maximum 35% will be 12 minutes. Your recital can be solo or include ensemble works giving you the best experience. The recital is assessed by audio-visual recording.
Over the course you will complete two compositions as coursework as 25% of the A Level. For those wanting to showcase their composition, you can include an additional technical exercise with a 35% coursework weighting. You have dedicated composition lessons throughout the course teaching you the techniques of composing.
This is the only aspect of the A Level taken as an examination (40%). You study a range of music, your first focus is 20th century jazz and jazz musicians. Your second focus is programme music of the 19th century. You also study 2 set works, one classical and one jazz. It provides invaluable insight and analytical skill that is of huge benefit to performing musicians.
Music Scholarships
successful candidates who will be taking A Level Music.
Sixth Form Music Scholars reflect the most able and highest achieving of our performers here at King Edward VI School. Scholars gain a wealth of benefit unique to King Edward VI as we prepare young musicians for performance careers and university study. Scholarships are awarded on audition to
Destination of A Level musicians and Scholars have included: Birmingham Conservatoire (Jazz Performance), Oxford, Cambridge, Royal Academy of Music, Trinity College of Music, Royal College of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, KCL, Brunel and Bristol.
Head of Department: Miss CE Forsey - cef@kes.hants.sch.uk
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