AS and A level Music

Course code: MUS

Level: A Level, AS Level

Availability: Day Course

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Summary

AS and A level Music allows students to study music as a practical, intellectual and creative subject with specialist pathways in performing and composing.

Requirements

 

You will need:

At least five GCSEs at grade C or above to include English Language and Music or a good musical ear and the ability to play a musical instrument to approximately Grade 5(Associated Board).  Grade 5 Music Theory would also be a useful qualification.  It is essential to be able to read music.  All students will be auditioned,

because:

  • performance is an essential part of the examination
  • musical literacy is assumed by the examination board.

Course Content

 

In Year 1 you will study units 1, 2 and 3 for an AS level.  In Year 2 you will take units 4, 5 and 6 to complete the full A level.

Unit 1: Performing

An assessed performance of 5-6 minutes either solo or in a small ensemble.
You will be assessed on the recording of your performance

Unit 2: Composing

You will compose a three minute piece and produce sleeve notes to describe it.
You will be assessed externally by sending away a recording and the score

Unit 3: Developing Musical Understanding
This unit is based on the Anthology of Music provided by the exam board. You will listen to music and study scores. You will also have to answer questions about a score that you have not studied in advance and complete some harmony.
You will be assessed by examination

Unit 4: Extended Performance

You will perform a 12-15 minute recital of a balanced programme of music.
This will be teacher assessed at your recital

Unit 5: Composition and Technical Study
You can choose to complete either one composition and one technical study (harmony) or two compositions or two technical studies. These have to be produced under timed conditions.
You will be assessed externally by examination and internally by coursework

Unit 6: Further Musical Understanding
This is a listening test and the study of various set works taken from the Anthology of Music.
You will be assessed by examination

What else do I need to know?

 

The School of Music is housed in a purpose-built suite of rooms.  The main teaching room is also used for recitals and rehearsals.  It is linked by sight and sound to the recording studio next door which has its own sound proof live room. There is a smaller teaching room which is also used for instrumental teaching and chamber music. Five practice rooms, an office and a room equipped with music computer technology complete the music facilities.  The School of Music houses a large collection of books, scores and recorded sound.  There is a considerable library of choral, instrumental, chamber and piano music. We have 33 Apple Mac computers with Sibelius 5 for score writing and Logic Pro 8 for sequencing.  Equipment includes a mixing desk, sampler, compressor, DAT machine, CD writers, two 4-track minidisc recorders and two 8-track recorders and the technology facilities are being continually developed.  We also have six pianos and a harpsichord.  The department’s acoustic, electric and bass guitars and drum kits are popular with many students.
  • Music is considered as a serious academic qualification for any degree at university.
  • Music is a perfect foil for the science subjects (Maths, Physics and Music is a common combination).  Music also combines happily with the Arts, Humanities and Languages.
  • Qualifications in Music lead to careers in performance, sound recording engineering (you must normally have Mathematics, Physics and Music A levels), teaching (Music is a National Curriculum subject), the “music business” (Physics is useful), arts administration and music journalism.
  • You will be expected to join in the many College musical activities – ensembles, orchestras, bands and the choir.  All music students are required to sing in the choir.  We give regular concerts and gigs and are frequently asked to give performances to external audiences.  In 2008-2009 these included functions for Southampton City Council and the House of Commons.
  • Masterclasses with professional musicians are arranged when possible in conjunction with the Turner Sims Concert Hall.  Composers and instrumentalists visit the college for workshops and lectures.
  • Instrumental lessons can be arranged through the college with our visiting tutors.
  • Students taking AS and A Level courses are entitled to 10 free half-hour instrumental lessons per term.
  • You will need your own musical instrument for practice.
  • Teaching groups are typically around 15-20 students.
  • Students leaving Taunton’s progress to the major music colleges and universities. In 2008 students will be taking up places at the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Welsh College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire and Trinity College of Music.
  • This is a high achieving department and one of the biggest in the country.  It is regarded as a “centre of excellence” and is graded 1 ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
  • The average pass rate at A level over fifteen yeas is 99.5%.

 

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