Music

Why Study Music?

 

A Level Music offers students an opportunity to explore and develop their understanding of the art form. Music combines creativity, imagination and academic study in a way that no other subject does. It is a course which is highly regarded by universities for the breadth of skills which students develop.
Although it is not strictly necessary to have taken a GCSE in Music, students embarking on the A level course should have a sound basis in music theory, ideally having taken the Grade 5 Associated Board examination, and be proficient in performing instrumental or vocal music.

 

The Course

 

We follow the Edexcel specification. This course is designed around three key skills:

Performance, Composition and Musical Understanding.
 

Performance is not taught directly at Collingham and most students come to the course with an established relationship with a private instrumental or vocal tutor. For AS the standard level of performance should correspond to Grade 5 Associated Board; for A2 the standard should be equivalent to Grade 6. Students are expected to take responsibility for the planning and presentation of their performances and also to take advantage of as many as possible of the performing opportunities that present themselves throughout the course.
 

Composition is studied for both AS and A2.
In both courses students compose to a brief set by Edexcel in controlled conditions. Students are encouraged to develop proficiency with Sibelius 5. This is the most recent industry standard composition software and is available on the premises. In addition to their own composition, students also have to study composition styles of other composers and complete an exercise in the required style.

Musical Understanding focuses on listening to music and understanding how it works. This is achieved through study of prescribed set works and also by further listening. All students are also encouraged to enhance their listening skills by undertaking further listening outside of class. Music is generally taught in classes of no more than three and frequently on a one-to one basis. This allows for each student to receive tuition focusing on their individual requirements.

 

Preferred Board: Edexcel