Geneva English School
Music
Music
Music A Level is a creative and empowering course. It gives you the opportunity to engage critically with selected pieces at depth. At the same time, you can experience artistic performance and learn to compose music. The course will allow you to develop as a perceptive, analytical, and passionate musician through the wide-ranging programme of study.
Studying an Arts subject such as Music allows you to use expression, open-mindedness, and creativity in a fundamentally human way. These skills are highly valued by universities and open doors to countless career options.
If you enjoy performing, composing, and using analytical skills to explore a wide range of music, you should consider choosing this subject at A Level.
Course Content
Year 12
You will study compositional techniques and work on one of two compositions.
You will study set pieces from:
- Instrumental Music,
- Vocal Music,
- Music for Film,
- Popular Music & Jazz.
This will include excerpts from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’, Bernard Hermann’s ‘Psycho’, and The Beatles’ ‘Revolver’.
You will refine your performance on your own instrument.
Year 13
Complete both of your compositions:
- From a set brief based on the compositional techniques studied in year 12,
- A piece of your own choice.
Study further set works from the areas of
- Fusions, and
- New Directions.
You will also record your performance coursework.
Inspirational starting point
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything” – Plato
Course preparation
- Listen to a wide range of music, aiming to relate this to the A Level areas of study.
- Recap history and theory of music covered in the GCSE course.
- Ensure you are confident reading music in the treble and bass clef, and understanding key signatures, cadences, and chords.
- Continue to practise your chosen instrument.
Future pathways
Possible careers directly related to music include:
- Performance musician,
- Music teacher,
- Music therapist,
- Arts/concert administration and management,
- Film, television and video game composition.
An A Level qualification in Music is a valuable pathway to further study at a university or conservatoire, or to work in the music industry. Music is a highly regarded subject for many universities and employers, as it often compliments other subjects well, and shows that you have a broad range of skills.
- Entrance criteria
- Exam board & Specification
- Assessment