1. Welcome to Music A Level
By the end of this course you will:
Perform an 8 minute recital at approximately a grade 7 standard
Create and notate a 4 minute composition
Harmonise a Bach chorale melody in 4 parts
Write a 2 hour exam paper on 18 set works, including: pop; jazz; ‘classical’; film music; avant garde; fusion.

2. Music A Level: Course content You will study... Overview Yr 12
Perform an 8 minute recital
Create and notate a 4 minute composition
Write a 2 hour exam paper on 9 set works:
Vocal: J. S. Bach, Cantata; Mozart, The Magic Flute; Vaughan Williams, On Wenlock Edge; Instrumental: Vivaldi, Concerto in D minor; Clara Wieck-Schumann, Trio in G minor; Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique; Film: Danny Elfman, Batman Returns; Rachel Portman, The Duchess; Bernard Herrmann, Psycho. 13
Harmonise a choral melody in 4 parts
Write a 2 hour exam paper on 18 set works
Pop and Jazz: Courtney Pine, Back in the Day; Kate Bush, Hounds of Love; Beatles, Revolver; Fusions: Debussy, Estampes; Familia Valera Miranda, Caña Quema; Anoushka Shankar, Breathing Under Water; New Directions: Cage, Three Dances for two prepared pianos; Kaija Saariaho, Petals for Violoncello and Live Electronics; Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring.

3. Music A Level: Assessment Exam board: Assessment: Percentage: Detail:
Examination
40%
One 2 hour exam at the end of year 13.
Coursework
60%
One composition - 20%
One chorale harmonisation - 10%
An 8 minute performance recital – 30%
Please see above logos for all other exam boards to personalise for your course

4. Music A Level Requirements Which skills are needed?
Course requirements
General College entry requirements
Which skills are needed?
The ability to play an instrument or sing to the required standard
Essay writing skills
Aural skills (recognising keys, cadences, chords, musical styles etc.)
The ability to read music
Theory knowledge up to grade 5 ABRSM
Expectations and workload
3 internal formal assessments completed per academic year
2 homework assignments completed per week
Regular practice on your instrument

5. Music A Level Further information 2015/6 Course Performance
100% of students achieved an A*-C grade by the end of Year 13
Course enrichment:
Numerous extra curricular activities available.
2015/6 Example student destination(s)
Leeds College or University; Nottingham University
Department contact details
Ms B. Prior

6. Ready to perform in The Lion King.
Why GCE Music?
Ben Lee
Toot Hill Brass teacher and former student
Tashaka Baumber
Toot Hill Singing teacher
I have had the pleasure of touring most of the world as a backing vocalist for various pop artists, such as Westlife, Mis teeq and The Lighthouse Family to name a few.
Please choose ONE key reason why you think students would enjoy, or be successful, on this course…
 The most famous person I’ve been asked to play for is the Queen. Celebrities include Ant and Dec, Peter Kay, Bradley Walsh, Tony Blackburn, John Cleese, Tony Blair, Jeremy Kyle, Anton Du Beke, Eamonn Holmes and Alan Shearer.
 Ready to perform in The Lion King.

7. Eddie Taylor Mike Benson Toot Hill Grandparent / Drummer
Toot Hill Parent / Sound technician
Please choose ONE key reason why you think students would enjoy, or be successful, on this course…
The mixing desk on the main stage at a ‘Florence and the Machine’ gig in Poland.
I have “jammed” with Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong, and more recently Jools Holland. I once lost a cymbal to Charlie Watts; the drummer with the Rolling Stones.