Music
A Level Music (AQA board) is an exciting course that embraces a wide range of musical genres, as well as allowing students to focus their studies on areas of music that interest them, through the 6 optional areas of musical study (from which students pick two).
With 60% of the assessment based on practical coursework, and 40% on a written listening and appraising exam, this highly practical A level course is similar in structure to GCSE music. The AQA specification has a slight leaning towards the Performing component, with 35% of the marks awarded for performing and 25% of the marks awarded for students’ composition submissions.
Choosing Music A Level is an exceptional option for many students. The course will certainly prepare students for the plethora of further education courses available in music including:
- Music Conservatoires such as the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Leeds Conservatory of Music etc
- Academic undergraduate music courses at top universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Durham and Manchester etc
- Sound Engineering and Music Production courses at institutions such as Surrey University (the renowned ‘Tonmeister’ course) and Southampton University
- Musical theatre degrees at institutions such as Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Mountview Performing Arts
- Specialist music colleges such as BIMM, ACM and Point Blank studios
However, Music A level is also an excellent choice for students whose career aspirations are outside of the field of music. With its combination of creative and practical work alongside a rigorous academic written exam, Music A Level allows students to develop a wide range of both creative and academic skills that will make them stand out to potential university admissions officers and future employers. Universities are well aware of the academic standard of Music A Level, which sets it apart from many arts subjects and, as such, Music A Level is the only arts subject that appears on the LSE list of preferred subjects. Music is often chosen alongside both science-focussed A Levels and humanities courses, with many A level musicians going on to excel in fields such as medicine and law, as well as in arts-based careers.
| Exam Board | AQA Music A Level Code 7272 |
Tring School Sixth Form
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Minimum GCSE Grade Requirements (all subjects lists are required) |
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Course Content & Assessment
Components
Component 1 Appraising Music (40%)
What’s assessed:
- Section A: Listening (unfamiliar music)
- Section B: Analysis (setworks)
- Section C: Essay - Contextual Understanding (setworks, optional topics)
How is it assessed?
- Exam Paper (2 hours 30 mins) with listening and written questions using excerpts of music
- Students wear headphones and have control of the audio tracks, allowing them to listen multiple times
Areas of Study
- The Solo Baroque Concerto (compulsory)
- Classical Opera - Mozart (compulsory)
- Romantic Piano (compulsory)
- Popular Music since 1960 (optional, choose two)
- Music for Media (optional, choose two)
- Music for Theatre (optional, choose two)
- Jazz (optional, choose two)
- Contemporary traditional music (optional, choose two)
- Art Music since 1910 (optional, choose two)
Component 2 Performance (35%)
What’s assessed:
- Musical Performance
- Voice and/or instrument(s)
- Solo and/or Ensemble
- 10 minutes minimum length
How is it assessed?
- Recorded in school after 1 March (in the year of certification)
- One or more pieces are recorded to make up the required 10 minutes
- Students may rerecord multiple times
- Individual pieces can be recorded separately
- The expectation is that students perform pieces at ABRSM (or similar) Grade 7 standard (although lower/higher grades can be performed and the marks awarded are adjusted accordingly)
- This NEA is marked externally by an examiner
Component 3 Composition (25%)
What’s assessed:
- Two Compositions
- Composition 1 to a Brief (set by the exam board in Year 13 and chosen from a selection of 7 composition briefs)
- Composition 2 - Free Composition (usually completed in Year 12)
- Minimum of Four and a Half minutes (combined total of both compositions)
How is it assessed?
- Each composition music be scored and recorded - the audio recording and score is submitted to the exam board
- This NEA is marked externally by an examiner
Enrichment & ExtraCurricular
The music department runs a variety of co-curricular activities and events to help students develop as musicians.
Clubs and other opportunities
These include:
- Tring School Swing Band (for vocalists and instrumentalists) - our flagship ensemble that often performs at community events in and around Tring
- Tring Vox - our flagship vocal ensemble
- Chamber Orchestra and Show Band (for the school musical)
- Music Elective - on offer to all 6th form students (year 12 and 13) as part of the Electives Programme
- Independent Band Rehearsals and Personal Instrument Practise - the practise rooms and equipment are available for 6th form students to book in order to rehearse during free periods, breaktimes and before/after school
Events
- Termly Open Mic Nights (all musicians are warmly encouraged to perform)
- Music Showcases and annual Piano Festival
- The Bi-annual Musical Production in collaboration with the Drama Department (popular both with singers/actors and musicians who are warmly encouraged to play in the show band)
- Community performances in and around Tring
- Pride of Tring - the school awards ceremony held over two nights in July and supported with an Outdoor Stage and festival-style music performances
Student Leadership
Musicians at Tring are encouraged to take up leadership roles within the department.
These include:
- Music Leaders that run and support music clubs for younger years
- Assistant Music Technicians who support the music technician in setting up and running our many events throughout the year
Music Department
| Subject Leader | Ms S Stephens |
| Mrs J Chalmers | |
| Performing Arts Technician | Mrs C Goodman |
| Subject Documents |
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| Tring School Music Development Plan |