Music A Level

Please make sure you have checked the entry requirements before submitting your application. Please also be aware that we use an Attainment 8 requirement for students choosing to do Science and Maths subjects. This is explained further on our website: https://www.taptonschool.co.uk/page/?title=Subjects&pid=69

We will use the message function to contact you about your application, so please keep an eye on this.

The Music course is designed to encourage students to study all styles and genres of music through developing the skills of performing, composing and appraising.

Tapton music department is a vibrant, busy and exciting place to immerse yourself in the subject and gain expert tuition, whilst mixing with like-minded people. Our lessons are taught in fun, engaging and practical ways, and we challenge our pupils to achieve at the highest level. We offer a thorough traditional grounding in music theory and compositional techniques and believe in preparing our pupils for the advanced skills required to study music in further education. We are passionate about music - come and join us!

Music is part of the fabric of the school and we have hundreds of musicians having lessons and taking part in our weekly ensembles. We have proven exam success, and we work hard to deliver a rigorous learning experience and ensure all pupils achieve their best. We run a number of trips throughout the course, we have a large number of extra-curricular ensembles you can join, and we have an extensive concert programme with a wide range of opportunities for you to be involved. Our students regularly progress to studying music at top conservatoires and universities.

Qualities Required

You are passionate about music, enthusiastic, open-minded and willing to learn new skills. You are inquisitive and enjoy listening to and playing music from all eras and genres. You enjoy working as part of a group, but can work independently. You are self-motivated, determined and will work hard to ensure you succeed. You understand the need for resilience and have high aspirations.

Links with other subjects

Music involves many transferable skills, not least problem solving, communicating complex ideas and concepts, discipline and self-motivation, teamwork, developing and realising creative audio ideas.

Follow the sound – come and be part of the rich musical heritage that is Tapton Music! If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact gthrelfall@taptonschool.co.uk

The AQA specification has three components:

• Component 1: Appraising Music (40%) An exam comprising of three sections: listening (56 marks); analysis (34 marks); essay (30 marks). At Tapton we focus on the following areas of study: Baroque Solo Concerto, Romantic Piano Music, Music for Theatre, and 20th Century Art Music.
• Component 2: Performance (35%) - Solo and/or ensemble performing on an instrument, voice or through the use of music technology. Pupils record a total of 10-12 minutes’ worth of music.
• Component 3: Composition (25%) Pupils complete 2 compositions. Composition 1 is a composition to a brief and at Tapton we explore advanced harmonic techniques through the study of Bach Chorales, and composition 2 is a free composition.

Extension and Enrichment Opportunities

Performing within one of our many high-quality ensembles, such as Senior Orchestra, Jazz Band, Brass Band, Wind Band, String Groups, Staff/Student Choir, or engaging in accompanying opportunities. There are also other enrichment opportunities, such as performing in musical productions, either as an actor, singer, or as part of the band/orchestra.

• Throughout the course students will take part in peer and self-assessment in order to familiarise themselves with the assessment objectives.
• Staff review work with students on a one-to-one basis regularly, giving support, feedback, and set targets for improvement and progression.
• All units are externally assessed at the end of the course.

• Route 1: GCSE grade 6 in Music

or

• Route 2: To have passed both Grade 5 Theory AND Grade 5 in an instrument/voice.

Tapton School's minimum entry requirements for all students: Grade 5 in English Language; Grade 4 in Mathematics and three other GCSEs at grade 4 and above.

Each year we have pupils going on to study music in higher education, many at top universities and conservatoires. Music is a language and the skills you learn through studying music are also relevant to all careers. Universities value and recognise that musical training has huge benefits for achieving success in other subjects too. Music offers many areas of employment and is continually growing and changing, from performing, sound production, teaching, musical theatre, music in advertising and composing for film, TV and game, as well as arranging.