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A Level Music is an important step if you are hoping to pursue higher education or a career in music. This qualification not only deepens your understanding of musical concepts, but also develops the practical skills that are important in the industry. Below I will outline what A Level Music is all about.
What is A Level Music?
A Level Music is an advanced qualification that covers various aspects of music. It’s for those who have completed their GCSEs and want to continue with more advanced studies in music. Like GCSE music, it covers 3 main components: listening/appraisal, performance, and composition. Overall, it exposes students to a wide range of musical styles, genres, and historical contexts in greater depth.
Areas of Study in A Level Music
The Areas of Study (AOS) in A Level Music provide a structured framework that guides students through a variety of musical genres and styles. They are slightly different across different examination boards but usually divide into the four key areas as follows.
1. Western Classical Tradition
This area of study often focuses on music composed principally between 1650 and 1910, or the so-called common-practice period. You will study the works of great composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. Among the key elements are the following:
- Musical Form and Structure: this usually include sonata form, rondo, symphony, and concerto – all of these concepts require a good understanding of grade 5 theory at least, as it often involves the concepts of keys.
- Historical Context: The influence of social, political, and cultural features regarding the development of music in this period are also investigated. This encourages students to appreciate the interrelationship between music and its historical context.
- Stylistic Features: it goes without saying that students will learn to identify what makes a Classical work Classical, and a Romantic work Romantic. Understanding musical features distinctive to the particular period of music history or composer is essential.
2. Popular Music
This area engages student with the process of popular music development in view of rock, pop, jazz, and electronic genres. Areas of concentration include the following:
- Genre Characteristics: students observe features of certain genres of popular music: instruments used, vocalist roles, and text themes. For example, rock music saw the rise of the electric guitar, whereas the root of jazz music traces back to African music and work songs.
- Cultural Impact: analysis of popular music’s influence on society and culture, with particular attention to its role in shaping youth culture and driving social movements as expressions of cultural identity.
- Notable Artists and Movements: students listen to and analyse the role of important artists and their movements in influencing the direction of the music industry and pop culture.
3. Music in the Twentieth Century and Beyond
This category involves different trends and movements that took place from the twentieth century onwards, such as modernism, minimalism, and experimental music, amongst others. The following are usually disucussed as part of this AOS:
- Innovative Techniques: Students explore the application of new composition methods and technologies such as electronic music, graphic notation, and improvisation.
- Cross-Cultural Influences: the fusion of various traditions of music and the globalisation of music to highlight how today’s composers find inspiration from various sources; for example, Peter Maxwell Davis’s music has many influences from English and Scottish folk music.
- Socio-Political Themes: Students will also learn about music as a medium of social and political expression, and how composers and musicians serve as change agents.
4. World Music
This is the area of study that introduces students to the great diversity in musical traditions from different parts of the world. Students are able to explore various cultural contexts and characteristics from different musical styles, such as:
- Cultural Significance: how music functions in community rituals in various societies, and what roles does it have in relation to society as a whole; for example, one may argue that swing music provided an optimistic outlet for the American people during the postwar era.
- Traditional and Contemporary Forms: there is world music that remains pretty much the same across time (e.g. traditional Chinese and Japanese music), but there are also ones that continuously evolve (e.g. Latin American fusion). It is important to know about these subtle differences, as they often tell as much about the culture itself.
- Instrumentation and Performance Practices: timbre can be as important as the notes on paper – gamelan is immediately associated with Indonesian music, and the bagpipes will point you to Scottish music. It is crucial to know which instruments belong to where – this will likely be useful in your listening exam too.
A Level Music Assessment Components
The A Level Music assessment is divided into three main parts: performance, composition, and appraising. Each component contributes to measuring a student’s proficiency in music.
1. Performance
The performance component assesses students’ practical skills in playing an instrument or singing. This section typically involves:
- Solo and Ensemble Performance: Students will perform a collection of repertoire, which includes both solo and ensemble performances. This allows students to demonstrate technical skills and interpretive capabilities.
- Duration: The performance does have a specified duration that usually is a minimum of 8-12 minutes depending on the board’s regulations.
- Technical Control and Expressiveness: This includes the student’s technical control, expressiveness, sense of style, and general communication of the musical ideas themselves.
- Style: Performances need to give evidence of the candidate’s sense of musical context, genre, and style in which chosen pieces have been performed.
2. Composition
The composition component measures students’ ability to create original music and manipulate musical ideas effectively. Key elements include:
- Original Composition: Students compose pieces that may reflect their personal style or respond to specific briefs. This allows creativity and personal expression.
- Technical Skills: Compositions are assessed on the utilization of musical devices, conventions, and structures learned throughout the course.
- Portfolio Submission: Students may be required to submit a portfolio of their compositions, showcasing a variety of works and demonstrating their growth as composers.
- Stylistic Awareness: The compositions need to reflect an understanding of various genres and styles; different musical elements and techniques integrated within.
3. Appraising
The appraising component evaluates students’ critical listening skills and their ability to analyse and interpret music. This aspect typically involves:
- Written Examination: Students undertake a written examination on their knowledge regarding musical elements, contexts, and language. Students are often asked to analyse specific pieces of music from perhaps different genres and historical contexts.
- Listening Skills: Students are expected to demonstrate attentive listening and be able to articulate their understanding of the music they hear in discussions about the musical structure, instrumentation, and stylistic features.
- Contextual Analysis: Through the appraising section, student’s contextual skills about placement of music in a wider perspective as regards historical, cultural and social influences on the composition or performance of music will equally be tested.
Final Thoughts
As an experienced music tutor specialising in A Level Music tuition, I provide individual lessons specifically tailored to each student. Whether it is for AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR, WJEC, CCEA, or Cambridge International, my lessons will equip you with the skills necessary for succeeding in A Level Music.
- Personalised Lessons: Each student receives personalised lessons based on their unique strengths and interests.
- Expert Guidance: With an in-depth understanding of the A Level Music syllabus and its objectives, I ensure that students are confident and well-prepared for their exams.
- Flexible Learning Environment: I offer my tuition online, so it doesn’t matter where you live.
- Holistic Approach: My teaching philosophy emphasises the connection between performing, composing, and listening. Whilst there is much information that the student will have to learn in A Level Music, I always try my best to make it as personally relevant to them as possible – and this also helps them retain what they have learned.
A Level Music is a great option if you love music and want to extend your musical abilities. Mastering the three core components gives you a sound musical theory and practical foundation that will serve you well for life. If you’re ready to dive in, I offer one-to-one online tuition tailored to your needs. Feel free to get in touch at any time.
