Music A Level

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE JUDD SCHOOL FOR SEPTEMBER 2024 APPLICATIONS*

Applications open: - awaiting information from school

Applications close: - awaiting information from school

Entry Requirements: - 6.5 average point score, minimum of 4 in English Language and Maths GCSE. Entry grade criteria for A Level subjects chosen.

How to Apply: - We are not taking applications via KentChoices

Open Event: - To be confirmed, please check our school website for updates

Why choose this subject?

Music is constantly evolving; inspiring creativity and expression in a way that no other subject can. Studying Music at A-Level will give you the opportunity to study a wide range of musical genres. The course is made up of listening, performance and composition; it gives an opportunity to perform and compose in whichever style you desire. Every student has different learning styles and musical tastes; the course values all music styles, skills and instruments. Broaden your mind and foster a love of music with a qualification that students of all abilities and backgrounds will enjoy.

The course should appeal to students who wish to:

Study Music at University or Music College

Add variety to their Sixth Form studies, and have enjoyed GCSE Music and wish to continue their musical development.

Music will complement any other A Level course at Judd. Where the course allows for individual student choice, students may perform and compose in Classical or Contemporary styles, and use of technology is encouraged.

Why study it at The Judd School?

We have access to excellent facilities; the department enjoys exclusive use of a main Music block and a Music Technology Centre. There is a large performance space which is used for recitals and showcases throughout the year, and is fully equipped for orchestral, rock and jazz music.

There are eleven practice rooms around the Department which are used for our peripatetic lessons and group work in the curriculum. Our newly built Music Technology classroom has 32 computers which run Cubase and Sibelius music software and are used across all year groups. There are two further Music Technology rooms that are reserved for KS4 and KS5 use, and run up to date versions of Cubase and Sibelius.

Extra-curricular Music clubs run every day in the department. Clubs that would be particularly suitable for sixth formers are: School choir, Chamber choir, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Big Band, and Judd Winds. Students in the sixth form often form bands and there are opportunities for them to perform throughout the year.

There are a huge number of concerts each year: Winter concert, Pianists’ Tea concert, Two Carol Services, Jazz Café, Spring Concert, Battle of the Bands, House Music Competition, Soloists’ Concert and a Summer Concert. In 2019 we staged ‘Sweeney Todd’, casting students for all performance roles including the band. We look forward to our next Musical, which we hope to stage as soon as possible. Recently performed works are Parry’s ‘Blest Pair of Sirens’, Walton’s ‘Coronation Te Deum’ and Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’. 2018 saw our first music tour to Barcelona in the October half term, we hope to run another tour as soon as we can.

Our slightly smaller set sizes mean that students will receive special attention and direction. We believe that integrating the three units of performing, composing and listening enables our students to develop the skills and understanding necessary to achieve highly in all areas of the course.

Course details: Board and specification: AQA 7272

What you will be learning (course outline):

Unit 1 (40%) - Exam Paper: Appraising Music

A. Listening

B. Analysis

C. Essay

Western Classical Music – Baroque Solo Concerto, The Opera of Mozart, The Piano music of Chopin, Brahms and Grieg.

And a choice of two of the following:

1. Popular Music - Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Muse, Beyonce, Daft Punk, Labrinth

2. Music for Media (Film, Television and Gaming) - Herrman, Zimmer, Giacchino, Newman, Uematsu

3. Music for Theatre – Weill, Rodgers, Sondheim, Schönberg, Brown

4. Jazz – Armstrong, Ellington, Parker, David, Metheny, Simcock

5. Contemporary Traditional Music – Piazolla, Diabanté, Shankar, Mariza, Bellowhead

6. Art Music since 1910 – Shostakovich, Messiaen, Reich, MacMillan

Unit 2 (35%) - Coursework/Recital

Solo and/or ensemble performing as an instrumentalist and/or vocalist and/or music production.

10-12 Minutes of performance

Unit 3 (25%) - Coursework

1. Composition to a brief

2. Free Composition

4½ – 6 minutes in total

How it will be assessed:

All work is externally assessed.

Entry requirements:

• at least grade 7 at GCSE Music (or Grade 5 on your chosen instrument).

• a reasonable level of Aural Perception, Analytical, Composing and Performing skills, and willingness to cultivate these by regular practice, including rehearsals and participation in a range of school concerts

• the potential to reach the minimum performing standard of ABRSM Grade 6 (or equivalent) by March of the examination year

• fluency in music reading – it is helpful to have grade 5 theory.

• an interest in a wide range of music, and willingness to develop an interest in different styles