Music A-Level

What is Music A-Level?

Music A-Level offers the opportunity to analyse, perform and compose in a variety of different styles to develop your skills, confidence and music theory.

What Will You Study?

Music Reading List >

Performance Unit – you will present between 6 – 12 minutes of performance work either as a solo performer or as part of an ensemble.

Coursework unit – you will complete between 4.5 – 10 minutes of composition from a minimum of two compositions. Composition one can be in any chosen style and composition two is a technical exercise with a given brief in the Western Classical Tradition.

Analysis of the Development of the Symphony (1750-1900) and gain an understanding of how musical elements are used in Rock & Pop (1960-2000), from structure to studio techniques. Symphonic set works include Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, whilst the Into the 21st Century topic explores a range of contemporary works, including Ades’ Asyla and Beamish’s Opus California.

What Next?

Many of our students have gained places at top Music institutions, including RNCM, Birmingham Conservatoire, Leeds College of Music and BIMM, as well as Huddersfield University, Salford University and Bangor University.

Many students go onto Music related degrees such as Performance, Composition and even Acoustics.

Exam Board

Eduqas  (WJEC)

Entry Requirements

At least five 5s at GCSE, including at least a 6 in GCSE Music (if studied). You will need to have a minimum standard of grade 5 practical or above in your instrument. You will be auditioned in your first study instrument. The ability to read and understand written musical notation in at least two different clefs is essential.

Have you considered studying a Mixed Programme (A-Levels and BTECs)? Whether you’re on target to achieve five 5s in your GCSEs or not, there may still be an option to study A-Levels alongside a BTEC qualification at Newman.

Course Type

A-Level

What other subjects go well with this subject?

Music Technology (Production) or (Performing), Modern Foreign Languages, Business Studies, English, Musical Theatre, History, Media Studies, Maths and Physics.