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 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. Unit 2 Composing 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. Unit 3 Historical Study 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 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

successful candidates who will be taking A Level Music. 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.