Music

Music

The music courses at Queen Mary’s College is aimed at anyone interested in gaining a greater understanding of music. We offer three different Music courses which are, Music A Level, Music Vocational Single or Extended. No matter which music course you choose to embark on, you will  broaden your experience and deepen your understanding of both live and recorded music.

The Music Department

We have high expectations of all of our Music students and aim to challenge you to achieve outstanding results. Here at QMC, we are delighted to have become a Music Mark School Member in recognition of the excellent courses, facilities, teaching and opportunities for Music students.

We are equipped with excellent facilities and a team of highly dedicated and committed teachers who will ensure that you are provided with every chance of succeeding during your time at College. The Music teaching staff at QMC are all active musicians, composers, engineers, producers and examiners in their own right, and are able to relay their industry experience to their students.

“Thank you for all the hard work you do to ensure that students are able to access and engage with high-quality music education.”- Bridget Whyte, Chief Executive, Music Mark.

Our Performing Arts mission is to develop Creativity and Academic Excellence for your future:

  • Strive for excellence and innovation
  • Be authentic
  • Be exciting, inspiring and engaging
  • Ensure a positive and inclusive experience
  • Enable personal progression
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Music Performance in QM Hall
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Which course should I pick?

The Music A Level course offers a diverse exploration of musical languages within their cultural and historical contexts. Students are immersed in a well-rounded curriculum covering European Art music, popular and contemporary music, and Musical Theatre. This course is 100% externally assessed.

The Music Vocational Single and Extended course is designed for dedicated music enthusiasts aspiring to pursue higher education or enter the music industry. The vocational courses emphasises performance, production, composition, musicianship, and music business skills. Units range from foundational principles to collaborative projects and individual projects. The vocational courses are assessed continuously and are assignment-based. One of the main differences between the two vocational courses is that:

  • the Music Vocational Single course is equivalent to 1 A Level.
  • the Music Vocational Extended course is equivalent to 3 A Levels. Due to this, the extended course includes a more extensive curriculum, offering more in-depth exploration across more units.

All three courses have a strong emphasis on creativity and the development of musical talents. They provide students with opportunities to explore their artistic expression and cultivate their musical abilities. The courses integrate both performance and production skills, ensuring that students gain a well-rounded understanding of the practical aspects of music. With access to professional-standard equipment and facilities, students are able to be in a stimulating learning environment. What’s more, collaboration between students is highly encouraged and integral to all of the music courses fostering teamwork and communication amongst fellow musicians.

Where can Music take me?

Across all of the courses, students will successfully acquire a thorough understanding of music as a practical, intellectual and creative subject. Students will be well prepared for going on to study Music at Universities, Selecting Universities, Music College or Conservatoires. In addition, music combines well and contrasts with Mathematics and Science, Modern Foreign Languages, Media Studies and other Arts subjects. As such, it is accepted as an academic subject for entrance to higher education if you wish to pursue other courses. 

By studying Music, you can gain transferable and employability skills that are valued by a whole range of employers and universities such as: 

  • creative development: development of music skills
  • time management and organisation: planning and overseeing projects
  • analytical skills: self-analysis and reflection
  • teamwork and communication: participating in collaborative projects, ensembles and performances with peers
  • presentation: the ability to present yourself and your achievements effectively
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EXTRA-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

As a music student at QMC, our practice rooms are open all day every day for your use! We have three concerts a year, Autumn, Spring and the Performing Arts Christmas Concert which features singing, dancing and acting (and Christmas Carols). You might perform solos or ensemble pieces in these. You’ll definitely be singing or playing in the carols! We also run the Pit Band for our big musical in January. This is performed by our full time Performing Arts classes but they need a live band….and no we can’t tell you what it is yet! We also have a number of other ensembles in the Music Department, depending on what instruments people play. In recent years these have included Barber Shop, String Quartet, Recorder Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble and Brass Ensemble.

There are also a wide range of enrichments at QMC that will amplify what you learn in the classroom. Enrichments include:

  • Instrumental/ Singing Lessons
  • Music Theory
  • Performing Arts Auditions Preparation 
  • QMC Records

Students are also able to go on trips to concerts, musicals and more. Students will also have the opportunity to go on the Performing Arts trip to New York in the summer. View more enrichment opportunities here.

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View course description and entry requirements

Fun facts

  • The arts create independent learners and develop students emotional intelligence. They require the students to set their own agenda from within themselves, rather than follow set topics as in other subjects. They have to make independent decisions all the way, and be self-critical. They also need to be brave in exposing their creations, and accept criticism. Working in teams makes students into effective communicators.
  •  Arts ‘reach the parts other subjects can’t reach.’ The arts develop the broader dimensions of the human being – mind, body and soul. The arts can express the inexpressible and make sense of things that otherwise do not seem to. This can be very fulfilling and helps us function as human beings – which can only be good for society as a whole.
  •  Arts ‘reach the students other subjects can’t reach.’ Teachers find arts subjects particularly beneficial for two groups: those who struggle with traditional subjects and those who are high achieving. Less academic students can become defeatist if they feel they can’t achieve: drama, music or art can be the place they blossom. With studious students, the arts can bring them out of themselves and be a release.

Any Questions?

The Head of Department, Steve Gallagher will be happy to help.

Send an Email