Music

“Without music, life would be a mistake.”

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Aims

The aim of the Music department is to encourage students to discover for themselves the excitement and fulfilment gleaned from music. Students will develop performance skills, compose music and learn about traditional harmony. They will build up their aural and analytical skills by studying a wide range of music. Studying Music offers students the unique opportunity to combine creativity with a strong academic focus, which is why music is considered a strong academic A Level at most universities. Students leaving the Music department have gained places at various top universities and conservatoires, including in recent years, the Royal Welsh College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music. Entry requirement Ideally those wishing to study Music A Level should have attained at least a grade 6 in GCSE Music. Students should also be at approximately grade 6 in at least one instrument. However, exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Head of Department. Above all, students should have a love of music and be enthusiastic in joining in the various ensembles which we offer. Course structure

The Music Department follows the AQA A Level Music specification. The course is comprised of three units spread over two years.

A Level two-year course

Performing 35%

Composing and Compositional technique 25%

Appraising 40% Eight to 12 minutes of performing, recorded between March and mid-May of the examination year. Must be of the standard Grade 7 level and above

One composition given as a brief by the board in September – at least four minutes long Two compositional exercise on Bach Chorales done as set by the Board

2 hour exam in June based on set works and general listening

Ensembles and Concerts

Students in the Sixth Form are expected to take a lead in ensembles. There are opportunities to form their own groups and every term there are informal concerts organised and run by the students. Ensembles that they are expected to contribute to are the Concert Orchestra (all instrumental players), String Orchestra (Strings plus others at the invitation of the Head of Strings), Chapel Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Girls’ Choir, Chamber Choir and Jazz Band.