This course is aimed at anyone interested in gaining a greater understanding of music. It is open to anyone who has a keen interest in studying European Art music as well as popular and contemporary music including Musical Theatre and who wishes to broaden their experience and deepen their understanding of both live and recorded music.

If you enjoy performing, listening to music, composing or arranging, this course is ideally suited to you. You will develop performing, composing and listening analytical skills in equal measure. You will be listening to and studying a wide variety of music. You will develop an informed appreciation of how such music works, how and why it was written and/or performed.

We live in an age of cultural diversity and, accordingly, the A Level Music course offers the opportunity to study a wide range of musical languages, seen within their cultural and historical contexts. The course, taught by staff specialising in composition and performance provides outstanding opportunities for extra-curricular activities and extended projects, ranging from pit band for musical theatre productions, to chamber, brass and vocal ensembles, to music theory, to workshops and seminars on a variety of topics. You will be involved in many different activities including group work, individual study, tutorials, discussions, listening and performance projects.

You will need enthusiasm for the subject, be able to sing or play a musical instrument to Grade 4 standard, know music theory to Grade 4 standard or have studied GCSE Music.

You will gain knowledge and understanding of music as a practical, intellectual and creative subject. The course aims to encourage you to;

• Extend the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to communicate through music and take part in music making
• Engage in, and extend your appreciation of the diverse and dynamic heritage of music, promoting spiritual and cultural development
• Develop your particular strengths and interests, encouraging lifelong learning and providing access to music-related careers through a worthwhile, satisfying and complete course of study
• Develop your imagination, foster creativity and promote your personal and social development
• Recognise the interdependence of musical skills, knowledge and understanding and the links between the activities of performing/realising, composing and appraising

Students completing the course successfully will have a thorough understanding of Music, highly honed analytical and creative skills and an ability to communicate effectively with others. This qualification is good preparation for going on to study Music at Universities, Selecting Universities, Music College or Conservatoires. Music combines well and contrasts with Mathematics and Science, Modern Foreign Languages, Media Studies and other Arts subjects. Music is accepted as an academic subject for entrance to Higher Education. Universities and other centres of Higher Education welcome it as an entrance qualification for a wide range of courses. In addition, during the course you will develop communication and teamwork abilities, which are highly valued by employers. Students continue their studies further at Music Colleges, Universities, Colleges of Higher Education or Conservatoires. Others simply enjoy making music for pleasure.

A level music is 100% externally assessed. You can opt to specialise in Performing or Composing.

• Component 1: Performing – as soloist or in ensemble – non examined, externally assessed – 35% or 25%
• Component 2: Composing – composing to set briefs – non examined, externally assessed – 35% or 25% Components 1 and 2 together total weight must add up to 60% of the final mark
• Component 3: Appraising – studying and analysing music – exam paper – 40% of the final mark

The first year provides a foundation in the subject and is made up of three units addressing the components of Performing, Composing and Appraising. The second year extends these foundation studies addressing the same components but at a higher level of knowledge and competence.

• Area of study A: The Western Classical Tradition (The Development of the Symphony 1750-1900)
• Area of study C: Musical Theatre
• Area of study E: Into the Twentieth Century

The BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Music is a practical and academic musical course that requires a two year commitment from students. It is the equivalent of 1 ½ A Levels. It is a very intensive course for practical musicians. You should be skilled in playing at least one instrument and you need to have a very keen interest in popular music.

The ability to play a musical instrument and/or sing is a requirement of the course. Candidates do not need to have studied GCSE music for this course.

The BTEC Foundation Diploma in Music has the equivalence of 1 ½ A Levels, and it is possible for you to progress further into Higher Education. Universities, Music Colleges and other centres of Higher Education welcome it as an entrance qualification for a wide range of courses. In addition, it is likely that you will have acquired transferable skills such as teamwork, collaboration, planning, time management, communication, self-motivation, decision making, self¬-awareness and interpersonal skills, which are highly valued by employers.

You will study a broad range of music performance skills and techniques that explore a range of genres and practitioners, gaining valuable skills such as:

• creative development: development of music skills

• management: planning and overseeing projects

• analytical skills: self-analysis and reflection

• teamwork: appreciation of the music industry and your future role in it

• presentation: the ability to present yourself and your achievements effectively.

Students will develop some of the skills required by a contemporary musician. They will be encouraged to perform as much as possible, and will develop the skills required to study music at undergraduate level.

The overall qualification grading for the Pearson BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Music is P to D*. This is in line with the rest of the BTEC National suite. There are opportunities during the teaching and learning phase to give learners practice in developing:

Employability skills:

• cognitive and problem-solving skills: using critical thinking, approaching non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, using systems and technology

• interpersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation

• intrapersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.

Transferable skills that universities value include:

• the ability to learn independently

• the ability to research actively and methodically

• being able to give presentations and being active group members.

Over the period of the course, you will be given assignments to do by your teachers. These assignments are one way in which you can provide evidence that you have studied and understood a topic. At the end of the course you will be given a grade for your work. For BTEC courses, the highest grade is Distinction*, the next highest is Distinction, followed by a Merit, then a Pass or Not Yet Achieved. Your lowest grade for a unit will be your final grade for that particular unit. If for example you were awarded a Pass and three Distinctions for a unit, your final grade will be Pass.

Whilst you will get a chance to practice the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete a unit, you will only be able to be formally assessed on the Assessment Criteria in a unit ONCE. When you have started a formal assignment for a unit, your teacher will not be able to give you any specific Assessment Criteria guidance: they will only be able to provide general guidance.

You will complete 4 units of work over the two years, including:

• Performing as a Musical Ensemble

• Creating Music material

• Using Musical Styles

• Planning a career in the industry

A musical instrument, manuscript paper, leads, plectrums, drums sticks and a tuner. Drum kits, pianos, keyboards amps and microphones are available at the college. However, we recommend that singers provide their own microphone if possible.

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music is a practical and academic musical course that requires a two year commitment from students. It is the equivalent of 3 A Levels. It is a very intensive course for practical musicians. You should be skilled in playing at least one instrument and you need to have a very keen interest in popular music.

The ability to play a musical instrument and/or sing is a requirement of the course. Candidates do not need to have studied GCSE music for this course.

The BTEC Extended Diploma in Music has the equivalence of 3 A Levels, and it is possible for you to progress further into Higher Education. Universities, Music Colleges and other centres of Higher Education welcome it as an entrance qualification for a wide range of courses. In addition, it is likely that you will have acquired transferable skills such as teamwork, collaboration, planning, time management, communication, self-motivation, decision making, self-awareness and interpersonal skills, which are highly valued by employers. You will study a broad range of music performance skills and techniques that explore a range of genres and practitioners, gaining valuable skills such as:

• creative development: development of music skills

• management: planning and overseeing projects

• analytical skills: self-analysis and reflection

• teamwork: appreciation of the music industry and your future role in it

• presentation: the ability to present yourself and your achievements effectively.

Students will develop some of the skills required by a contemporary musician. They will be encouraged to perform as much as possible, and will develop the skills required to study music at undergraduate level.

The overall qualification grading for the Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music is PPP to D*D*D*. This is in line with the rest of the BTEC National suite. There are opportunities during the teaching and learning phase to give learners practice in developing:

Employability skills:

• cognitive and problem-solving skills: using critical thinking, approaching non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, using systems and technology

•  interpersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation

• intrapersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.

Transferable skills that universities value include:

• the ability to learn independently

• the ability to research actively and methodically

• being able to give presentations and being active group members.

Over the period of the course, you will be given assignments to do by your teachers. These assignments are one way in which you can provide evidence that you have studied and understood a topic. At the end of the course you will be given a grade for your work. For BTEC courses, the highest grade is Distinction*, the next highest is Distinction, followed by a Merit, then a Pass or Not Yet Achieved. Your lowest grade for a unit will be your final grade for that particular unit. If for example you were awarded a Pass and three Distinctions for a unit, your final grade will be Pass.

Whilst you will get a chance to practice the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete a unit, you will only be able to be formally assessed on the Assessment Criteria in a unit ONCE. When you have started a formal assignment for a unit, your teacher will not be able to give you any specific Assessment Criteria guidance: they will only be able to provide general guidance.

You will complete 10 units of work over the two years, including:

• Music Skills Dev elopement (3 units)

• Music Industry (1 unit)

• Personal Music Profile (3 units)

• Collaborative Music Project (3 units)

A musical instrument, manuscript paper, leads, plectrums, drums sticks and a tuner. Drum kits, pianos, keyboards amps and microphones are available at the college. However, we recommend that singers provide their own microphone if possible.

1. 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.

2. The arts are stretching drama, music, and art require long hours of hard work and dedication. Students have to pay great attention to detail, to perfect and re-do. Putting on a play, exhibition or concert takes strong organisational skills.

3. Arts students are highly sought-after by employers. Many employers now actively seek those who have studied the arts. Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, was fond of saying his success was due to his hiring artists and musicians fascinated by technology rather than computer geeks. Top talent management agency, The Curve Group, specialising in financial and business services, concurs: “Employees with an arts degree have developed more quickly in their roles from the start. They have discipline, confidence and can accept criticism.”

4. 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.

5. 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.

What do we do in Appraising?

We study the Western Classical Tradition, looking at the development of the Symphony and focusing particularly on Haydn’s Symphony 104. We also study Musical Theatre, working out what we can hear and why the composer has written it that way. In the second year we start Into The Twentieth Century, looking at pieces bu Debussy and Poulenc and how they fit into the changing sounds of the time.

When do I get to play music?

Individually you will have your instrumental or singing lesson once a week. Our practice rooms are open all day every day for your use, just don’t eat in them please! 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 I 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.

Do we do any good trips?

Usually yes, however COVID-19 has had an impact. Typically we would go to concerts, a musical and for those who would like there is a Performing Arts Trip to New York most summers.

Do I need to want a career in Music?

No! Obviously it’s an option, but we also have students go on to study quantum physics, law and nursing! Universities and employers really like A Level Music, it shows you are a creative thinker, a team player, a listener, a problem solver, self disciplined…what’s not to like?!

I’m a bit worried about….

Email Ali! alison.willis@qmc.ac.uk