Music A Level

A Level Music

A Level Music is a two-year course which progresses naturally from GCSE Music, covering performing, composing, listening. The course allows students to develop a full range of musical skills across the three disciplines, with a focus on classical, jazz and modern musical genres.

• Course Information

  • Course Code

    LAMUSIC

  • Attendance Pattern

    Daytime

  • Course Level

    Level 3

  • Study Mode

    Full Time

  • Course Location

    Langdale Road, Leyland

  • Age Group

    School Leavers (16-18)

  • Course Duration

    2 years

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• Overview
  A Level Music encompasses the following three units:

  • Coursework: Performance (35%)
  • Coursework: Composition (25%)
  • Exam: Listening & Appraising (40%)

  For your performance element, you will develop a 10-minute solo recital on your main instrument. In composition, you will write two pieces of music. One of these will be to a brief written by the exam board, and the other will be a “free” composition of your own choosing. Alongside these two components is the analysis and listening component, culminating in a written paper worth 40% of your course. For this paper, you will study the development of Western Classical Tradition (Baroque, Classical and Romantic), as well as studying the development of Jazz and Art Music in the 20th Century.

  Course Highlights:

  Music Academy, free 1:1 Instrumental Tuition, Workshops & Masterclasses

  

• Entry Requirements

  Overall requirements for the A Level Programme at Runshaw College require a minimum of 5 GCSE subjects at Grade 5, in 5 separate national curriculum subjects (including a minimum of grade 4 in both English and Maths). It is expected that most students will study 3 subjects – the option of doing 4 subjects for students who have an average GCSE grade profile of 8 or above will be considered on an individual basis. For more information on your future career path, visit www.informedchoices.ac.uk. View all our A Level courses in detail by clicking here.

  This must include a Grade 5 in GCSE Music and/or ABRSM Grade 5 in Music Theory. Applicants will also need to complete a practical audition.

• How will I be assessed?
  • Performance: 10-minute recital as a soloist, recorded in your second year.
  • Composition: one written to a brief and one free composition
  • Listening & Analysis: a written exam covering aural skills, analysis and the historical context relating to the Western Classical Traidition, Jazz and Art Music.
• Progression Pathway

  A Level Music is accepted by universities for a wide range of courses and a large proportion of students go on to study Music at either university or conservatoire. As a Music student, you will develop a range of skills that will stand you in good stead for music-related careers, such as freelance performing, conducting, composing, arranging, management, music librarianship, publishing and retailing, lecturing, classroom and instrumental teaching, music therapy and music technology-related careers.

  A Level Music is also highly valued by universities when applying for non-music courses as it is recognised as a highly academic and challenging subject that draws on and develops a wide range of skills and interests.

  Our students in recent years have progressed to:

  • The Royal College of Music
  • Birmingham Conservatoire
  • The Royal Northern College of Music
  • Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
  • Newcastle University
  • Oxford and Cambridge Universities
  • Durham University
  • Leeds Conservatoire
  • Leeds University
• National Careers Service

  For guidance about what careers subjects can lead on to please follow this link to the National Careers Service.