Music A Level

2017-9

Miss Gillot, Mr Walton

Mrs Hastings-Clarke

Why take Music A Level?

♪ Creative – engage with performing and composition of Music.

♪ Academic – analytical study of set works and music theory.

♪ Recognised by universities as both an academic and a creative subject.

♪ Increases confidence through performing element and increases independence and team building skills.

♪ Teaches transferable skills such as problem solving and analysis.

♪ Lots of opportunities to develop skills further in extra curricular

♪ Continue to develop performance skills as

a soloist and ensemble player

♪ Grade 5 standard minimum

♪ 8 minute recital in April of Year 13

♪ 30 mins individual free tuition

Performing

30%

Composing

♪ 2 compositions to be submitted in Year 13

♪ 1 composition set by a brief

♪ 1 free or free choice brief

(min. 4 mins in length)

♪ 1 brief assessing technique

(min 1 min. in length)

30%

Brief 1 – Instrumental Music

Compose a piece of music based on sonata form that would be suitable for

background music at a formal occasion such as a wedding dinner.

Brief 2 – Vocal Music

Compose a song using a poem of your choice for use as opening music for a

conference about the protection of the environment. The setting of the song should

reflect the meaning of the text. You may re-order the words.

Brief 3 – Music for Film

Compose the title music for a science fiction action film. Choose instrumental timbres

and textures to create a suitable atmosphere. Musical elements such as harmony,

melody and rhythm should reflect the action.

Brief 4 – Fusions

Compose a piece for a string quartet that is based around an east European folk

melody. The piece will be played alongside a programme of Western classical

pieces.

Brief 5 – Popular Music and Jazz

Compose a piece of music for a jazz musician to play at a live concert as an encore.

The solo part must be accompanied by at least 3 instruments.

Brief 6 – New Directions

Compose a piece of electronic music to open an electroacoustic music concert. Your

composition should explore the combination of human voice and natural sounds.

Composition Briefs

Appraising

Students will develop knowledge and understanding of:

• Musical elements – organisation of pitch, tonality,

structure, sonority, texture, tempo, metre and rhythm

and dynamics

• Musical contexts – the effect of purpose and

intention and the effect of an audience, time and place

• Musical language – major and minor chords, reading

and writing of staff notation, using appropriate musical

vocabulary

40%

Appraising

• Vocal Music

• Instrumental Music

• Music for Film

• Popular Music and Jazz

• Fusions

• New Directions

Areas of Study40%

Set Works

Vocal Music

● J. S. Bach, Cantata, Ein feste Burg, BWV 80:

Movements 1, 2, 8

● Mozart, The Magic Flute: Excerpts from Act I no. 4

(Queen of the Night), 5 (Quintet)

● Vaughan Williams, On Wenlock Edge: Nos. 1, 3

and 5 (On Wenlock Edge, Is my team ploughing?

and Bredon Hill)

Instrumental Music

● Vivaldi, Concerto in D minor, Op. 3 No. 11

● Clara Wieck-Schumann, Piano Trio in G minor,

Op. 17: movement 1

● Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique: Movement I

40%

Set Works

Music for Film

● Danny Elfman, Batman Returns: Main theme (Birth of a Penguin

Part II), Birth of a Penguin Part I, Rise and fall from grace, and

Batman vs the Circus

● Rachel Portman, The Duchess: The Duchess and End titles,

Mistake of your life, Six years later, and Never see your children again

● Bernard Herrmann, Psycho: Prelude, The City, Marion, The Murder

(Shower Scene), The Toys, The Cellar, Discovery, Finale

Popular Music and Jazz

● Courtney Pine, Back in the Day: Inner state (of mind), Lady Day and

(John Coltrane), and Love and affection

● Kate Bush, Hounds of Love: Cloudbusting, And dream of sheep, and

Under ice

● Beatles, Revolver: Eleanor Rigby, Here, there and everywhere, I want

to tell you, and Tomorrow never knows

40%

Set Works

Fusions

● Debussy, Estampes: Nos. 1 and 2 (Pagodes and

La soirée dans Grenade)

● Familia Valera Miranda, Caña Quema: Alla vá

candela and Se quema la chumbambà

● Anoushka Shankar, Breathing Under Water: Burn,

Breathing Under Water and Easy

New Directions

● Cage, Three Dances for two prepared pianos: No. 1

● Kaija Saariaho, Petals for Violoncello and Live

Electronics

● Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring

40%

Appraising

The Exam

2 hours

The paper will include multiple choice, short

open and extended writing questions.

Each student will have a CD containing the

extracts of music relating to the exam, and will

be in control of listening to the extracts relating

to each question.

40%

Appraising

40%

Appraising

40%

Appraising

40%

Why take Music?

• Love of Music

• Passion and interest in exploring different musical styles

• Coursework/creative/practical elements

• A contrast to other subjects

• Well regarded by universities

• Good teacher:student ratio

• Lots of personalised support in learning

• Extra-curricular opportunities to lead ensembles and have a significant role in the musical community of the school.

• A strong tradition of good results

2016 : 100% A-C, 2015 : 100% A-B, 2014 : 75% A-B

The students’ views

Why Sir John Lawes for Music?

• A strong tradition of Music. It is a highly regarded subject

in the school.

• Music has an excellent reputation in the local community.

• Currently have 19 extra-curricular music ensembles to

cater for all abilities and musical styles.

• Regular performance opportunities in school, around the

community and abroad.

• European Tour (2018 – Switzerland, 2017 – Slovenia,

2016 – Budapest, 2015 – Prague) open to all students.

This year we have 110 students going!

The Sir John Lawes Music Faculty