Music

Music allows students to develop and build fundamental musicianship skills of performance, composition and critical appraisal through exploration and engagement of a wide variety of musical genres within a theoretical and practical format.  Students will cover a wide range of genres from Western Classical Traditions, to Folk music to Music for Games or Advertising, providing students with the opportunity to develop self – reflection and group skills enabling students to work in teams to develop their creative, artistic, social and physical traits within the music curriculum.

AQA

60% coursework (2 x compositions, 2 x performances)

40% examination

The GCSE course utilises and develops the skills from KS3 of performance, composition and listening & appraising to further focus on two key areas of the course – coursework and the examination. The coursework comprises two performances one Solo and one Ensemble and two compositions one Free and one set to a brief set by the exam board. The exam will test knowledge on four areas of study from Western Classical Traditions 1600-1900, Popular music, Traditional music and Western Classical Traditions 1900 – Onwards,  alongside two set works: Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and 3 Songs from Little Shop of Horrors. Students will listen to a wide range of musical genres and will develop skills that will enable them to critically appraise what they hear.

AQA

60% coursework (performance route or composition route)

40% examination

The A level course still comprises coursework and an examination but builds on the GCSE content and skills developed. All students study three areas of study from the Baroque Concertos of Purecell, Vivaldi and Bach, The Mozart’s Opera – The Marriage of Figaro to Popular music and Music for Media. Students will learn about key composers and artists, listen to a wide range of musical examples and be asked to comment on these in both extended and short answers.