SUBJECT SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Grade 6 or above in GCSE Music.

WHAT DOES THE COURSE INVOLVE?

The A-Level in Music comprises three separate components.

• Component 1: Performing: A public performance of one or more pieces, performed as a recital lasting a minimum of 8 minutes in total. This can comprise solo or ensemble playing on an instrument/voice of your choice.
• Component 2: Composing: A total of two compositions lasting a minimum of 6 minutes in total. One composition must either be from a set brief relating to the areas of study or a free composition. The second must be from a set brief relating to composition techniques such as Bach Chorale.
• Component 3:Appraising: A mixture of listening, dictation and essay questions relating to set works and unfamiliar music from the six areas of study (vocal music, instrumental music, music for film, popular music and jazz, fusions, new directions).

WHAT ARE THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES?

You will engage in a mixture of listening, theoretical and analysis based lessons to equip you with the necessary skills to undertake an exam for Component 3 of the course. Alongside this you will utilise music technology in the Mac suite (using programmes such as Sibelius, Garage Band and Logic Pro X) to further enhance studies in composition for the completion of Component 2. Lastly, you will undertake practical based lessons and performance masterclasses to ensure you are fully prepared for the rigour that performing an end of course recital requires for Component 1. Taking learning outside of the classroom, new developments such as the Dubai Opera enable excursion opportunities to classical music concerts and musical productions to enhance depth of understanding of the set works.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

WHY IS THIS QUALIFICATION USEFUL?

Studying an A-Level in Music opens up the doors to many career paths such as Performing, Composing, Lecturing, Sound Production, Music Journalism, Music Therapy And Sound Engineering to name but a few. The A-Level provides students with a multitude of other skills aside from the most obvious such as creativity, diligence, team work, analysis, time management, determination and commitment. It is the acquisition of such skills that makes Music a complementary A-Level subject to Mathematics, Physics, Media and History.