What are the entry requirements?
5 GCSEs at A*-C or equivalent including Maths & English. Music GCSE preferred but dependent on prior experience other students will be considered.
Course Outline
1. Appraising Music (listening/analysis/contextual understanding)
2. Performance (solo and/or ensemble performing as an instrumentalist and/or vocalist and/or music production)
3. Composition (composition to a brief and free composition)
How will I be assessed?
1. Appraising Music (listening/analysis/contextual understanding)
2. Performance (solo and/or ensemble performing as an instrumentalist and/or vocalist and/or music production)
3. Composition (composition to a brief and free composition)
What will I study?
Appraising
There are seven areas of study, as follows:
- Western classical tradition 1650–1910 (compulsory)
- Pop music
- Music for media
- Music for theatre
- Jazz
- Contemporary traditional music
- Art music since 1910
Students must study Area of study 1: Western classical tradition 1650–1910 and choose one from the others. This can include music by artists such as Muse, Beyoncé, Daft Punk and Labrinth.
Performance
Students must be able to perform music using one or both of the following ways:
- instrumental/vocal: as a soloist, and/or as part of an ensemble
- production: via music technology.
You will be given lots of opportunities to perform in various ways both live and in a recording studio.
Composition
Students must be able to compose music for one or both of the following:
- instrumental/vocal: produce notated score, written accounts and/or lead sheet by traditional means or by using music software as appropriate
- production: generated entirely digitally, by using music software, without notated score but with accompanying annotation.
You will be shown the theory behind composing more complex pieces before embarking on your coursework.
Where can it lead me?
The skills gained by Music study can lead to a variety of professions whether in the Performing Arts or not, but a great many of our students have gone on to study Music further and subsequently gained careers in this area such as recording studio engineers, musical theatre directors, professional performers and teachers.
Course Information
- Course Id: AQA
