A Level | Music – Leighton Park

A Level in Music

Exam Board: WJEC Eduqas

Will the course suit me?

The WJEC Eduqas A Level in Music offers a broad, coherent and exciting course of study and is designed to allow students to pursue their own musical interests. Students develop skills in the three distinct but related disciplines of performing, composing and appraising, whilst having flexibility to specialise in either performing or composing by choosing to apportion 10% of their assessment to one of these options. Students will engage with both classical, jazz and rock and pop music.

All students must study:

Area of study A: The Western Classical Tradition

The Development of the Symphony 1750– 1900: This area of study focuses on the development of the symphony through the Classical and Romantic eras. Students will use the musical language of this period to compose one piece of music to a brief.

Students choose one Area of Study from either B, C or D:

Area of study B: Rock and Pop

This area of study focuses on rock and pop music from a variety of genres composed between 1960 and 2000.

Area of study C: Musical Theatre

This area of study focuses on the work of six musical theatre composers: Richard Rodgers, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Schwartz.

Area of study D: Jazz

This area of study focuses on prominent genres from the world of Jazz between 1920 and 1960.

Students also choose one Area of Study from either Area of Study E or F:

Area of study E: Into the Twentieth Century

This area of study focuses on the distinct musical styles of the early twentieth century, which was a time of significant change and experimentation in music.

Area of study F: Into the Twenty-first Century

This area of study is possibly the most difficult to classify, as it is happening here and now, while at the same time it is potentially the most exciting, as it engages with the work of living composers such as Sally Beamish, Judith Weir, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Thomas Adès, and how they create and develop ideas to make music.

A Career with Music

It is the obvious choice for anyone with a strong interest in music. It is challenging and worthwhile and offers a high level of job satisfaction. If you do not intend to pursue a career in Music, many universities and employers rate an A Level Music qualification on your CV very highly as they understand that this subject teaches you a wide range of skills that are transferable to many courses and jobs. They are aware that A Level Music students have the ability to:

• be creative and think outside the box
• plan ahead
• take responsibility
• collaborate and work effectively with others to meet goals, with strong communication skills
• manage time well and handle several projects at once
• strong independent workers
• develop strong problem-solving skills

Music offers a kaleidoscope of opportunities. There are performers and composers, teachers in institutions and at home, arts administrators, publishers, music therapists, record companies, instrument manufacture and repair, broadcasters and journalists to name just a few. All work in, with and for Music

Summary of assessment is as follows:

If you have any queries about this course, please contact Head of Department: Rosemary Scales

To apply for our Sixth Form, please see our Admissions page.