Stockton Riverside College :: SRC Bede Sixth Form :: Courses

Music

Introduction

Musicians are exciting people: performing and inspiring people; crafting new music, building on hundreds of years of creativity; delving into worlds of emotions and sounds; all using a global language. This course is designed to develop your performing and composing skills by studying instrumental and vocal techniques and by investigating how musicians express their ideas through sound and on paper. You will analyse how musical features make pieces what they are and compare music from different places and different times. This course is for musicians who have previously studied music either at GCSE or at a high level with an instrumental teacher.

Course Content

AS: You will gain an understanding of harmony, texture, and rhythm, how instruments and voices can be used and ways this can all be written down. There are three units: Performing; Composition and Developing Musical Understanding that run simultaneously through the year.

A2: You will learn how to identify musical features and relate these to the music's context and how it is special. You will also develop performing and composition skills and investigate different styles of writing music. The three units in Extended Performance, Composition & Technical Study and Further Musical understanding build upon those at AS and are assessed in greater depth.

Assessment

AS: Assessment is based on 6 minutes of performance in any style with a small group or as a soloist; a composition of at least 3 minutes composed to a set brief but very much your own creation; and a 2 hour exam based on music we will have already studied and in skills you will have been using all year.

A2: Assessment is based on a 12-15 minute performance in any style, with a small group or as soloist; a composition of at least 3 minutes to a set brief and/or completing a short composition in a famous style; and a 2 hour exam showing what you can hear in music and how well you understand the music that our work will be based on.

Subject Entry Guidelines

Performance and level of music theory is expected to be at least Grade 5 (or equivalent) for AS level and at Grade 6 (or equivalent) for A Level. Students will be enthusiastic to discover new musical styles and use musical features found in a wide range of styles from the Western Classical Tradition, popular music and world music and prepared to perform in public. Having a high grade at GCSE will benefit students as it is presumed they will have composed and practised listening skills.

Career Opportunities

The course is recognised by employers and institutions as giving students a broad understanding in the main disciplines of music. Our students go on to further courses in: Music Technology; Music at degree level; Popular music; Composition courses creating music for film, television and animation; advertising; teaching; media and journalism; event and music management. They go on to become computer game composers; session players; specialist instrumental teachers; leading community projects; managing orchestras; recording and editing popular music... Exciting people!

Awarding Body: Edexcel

AS: 1 year – A Level: 2 years

How to Apply?

You can apply online using our Online Application Form.
Alternatively, you can call 01642 808285 for all enquiries.

Please note that the contents published in this course guide are correct at the time of publication.
The college reserves the right to make changes or withdraw courses.