MUSIC A LEVEL & MUSIC AS LEVEL COURSES

“Excellence in private education”

A Level Music & AS Level Music Course

Music is a creative and engaging subject, which involves performance, composition and critical appreciation of a wide variety of music styles. Our students develop their understanding of key musical elements, contents and language, as well as refine their listening skills to be able to analyse and evaluate music to a high level. Westminster Tutors is well-equipped with the latest Sibelius software and a dedicated music room with a piano, where students can also have private instrumental lessons.

Course outline

Performing

Technical control – Technique
Expressive control – Style and context
Technical control – Accuracy
Expressive control – Fluency

Composing

Free choice composition
Briefs assessing technique
Creating and Developing Musical Ideas with Coherence
Creating and Developing Musical Ideas with Expressive Control
Creating and Developing Musical Ideas with Technical Control

Appraising

Vocal Music
Instrumental Music
Music for Film
Popular Music and Jazz Fusions
New Directions

Assesment

AS Level Music

Component 1

Public performance of one or more pieces

60 marks
Minimum of 6 minutes total performance time
Non-examined assessment
30% of total AS level

Component 2

Two compositions

60 marks
Minimum of 6 minutes total performance time
Non-examined assessment
30% of total AS level

Component 3

Examination

80 marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
40% of total AS level

A Level

Component 1

Public performance of one or more pieces

60 marks
Minimum of 8 minutes total performance time
Non-examined assessment
30% of total A level

Component 2

Two compositions

60 marks
Minimum of 6 minutes total time
Non-examined assessment
30% of total A level

Component 3

Examination

100 marks
2 hours written paper
40% of total A level

Set Texts

Vocal Music

J. S. Bach, Cantata, Ein feste Burg
Mozart, The Magic Flute
Vaughan Williams, On Wenlock Edge

Instrumental Music

Vivaldi, Concerto in D minor, Op. 3 No. 11
Clara Wieck-Schumann, Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17: movement 1
Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique

Music for Film

Danny Elfman, Batman Returns
Rachel Portman, The Duchess
Bernard Herrmann, Psycho

Popular Music and Jazz

Courtney Pine, Back in the Day
Kate Bush, Hounds of Love
Beatles, Revolver

Fusions

Debussy, Estampes
Familia Valera Miranda, Caña Quema
Anoushka Shankar, Breathing Under Water

New Directions

Cage, Three Dances for Two Prepared Pianos
Kaija Saariaho, Petals for Violoncello and Live Electronics
Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring

Specification

Teachers will choose the examination board for students joining in Year 12 based on their expertise and specialist knowledge. For Year 13 and retake students, teachers will continue students’ studies with AQA, Edexcel/Pearson, OCR or WJEC/Eduqas. Please note that we do not offer CIE but can more than map to one of the boards listed.

Why Choose Westminster Tutors?

Top independent sixth form college
Average grades 57% A*-A and 80% A*-B
68% placed at Russell Group unis
Superbly qualified teachers who care
Average A level retake improvement is 1.5 grades

Talk to us on today 020 7584 1288

About Us

Westminster Tutors is one of the oldest and best independent sixth form colleges in London. Established in 1934, our culture of scholastic excellence is deeply embedded and sets the standard for other colleges to follow.