A Level Music is an exciting, dynamic and challenging course that will develop your performance, composition and analytical skills to a new and exciting level. The course follows a relatively traditional path that you might be familiar with if you’ve studied Music at GCSE, focusing on performance, composition and analysis of works from the western classical tradition through to more contemporary twentieth century classical music.
At college, the academic music teaching is combined with an intensive musical programme of high quality and consistently demanding public performances. The department’s ensembles have been recognised at The National Festival of Music for Youth as well as maintaining a high profile within the local community.
Topics you will cover
A Level Music follows the EDUQAS specification which develops your skills in performance, harmony, composition and analysis. You study set works by Haydn, Mendelssohn, Debussy and Poulenc through to pop and rock. Through intensive study you will improve your aural, theoretical and musicianship skills.
About the department facilities
The Music Department maintains a high performance profile within college and prides itself on quality A Level Music teaching, resulting in a significantly high ‘high grade’ pass rate when compared with the national average. This is combined with an intensive musical programme of high quality and consistently demanding public performances. The department’s ensembles have been recognised at The National Festival of Music for Youth as well as maintaining a high profile within the local community. Music students are strongly encouraged to participate in the extensive musical enrichment programme, which encompasses a wide range of musical ensembles and a Grade V and Advanced (up to Grade VIII) theory class.
Trips and visits
As a music student you will have the chance to regularly attend performances in the local area as well as further afield. Recent trips have included seminars at The University of Huddersfield, performances by Opera North, The Halle Orchestra and at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival as well as international concert tours open to all music students and students on music enrichment activities to Paris and Berlin. We are in the early stages of planning for our future tour of Belgium.
Entry guidelines
You do not need to have studied GCSE Music but you must be performing at Grade V practical level or above in your instrument. If you have studied GCSE Music, you should have achieved at least a grade 4. Grade V Theory is highly desirable but not essential and can be studied during the first year of the course.
It is possible for you to study a combination of BTEC Music, A Level Music and Music Technology at A Level. We would discuss this with you at interview to make sure it is the right choice for you.
Recent student destinations
Performance / conservatoire courses
RNCM
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Guildhall School
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Leeds Conservatoire
Academic music courses
University of Cambridge (organ scholarship)
University of Durham