Music

Instrumentalists and singers Grade 6 and above are well suited to this course regardless of having taken the subject at GCSE. 

Unit 1 - Performing 

Students will give a recital in Upper Sixth, for a duration of 6 to 12 minutes depending on your coursework weighting. The recital can be solo or include ensemble works giving you the best experience. The recital is assessed by audio-visual recording. 

Unit 2 - Composing

Over the course you will complete two compositions, and the coursework accounts for 25% of the A Level. Students will have dedicated composition lessons throughout the course, and for those wanting to showcase their composition, you can include an additional technical exercise to increase the weighting of the coursework to 35%. 

Unit 3 - Historical Study

This is the only examination aspect of the course assessment, and it represents 40% of the qualification. Students will study a range of music, focusing on 20th century jazz, jazz musicians and 19th century music. Students will also study two works, one classical and one jazz, providing invaluable insight and analytical skill that is a huge benefit to performing musicians.  From the six areas of study, we will pick several to suit a given cohort: 

• Instrumental music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven 
• Popular Song – blues, swing and big band 
• Development in Jazz 
• Religious music of the Baroque period 
• Programme music 1820-1910 
• Innovations in music, 1900-present day 

If you have a specific enquiry for the Music Department, email music@kes.hants.sch.uk