Music

There are three main areas of study in the AS course:

• Performing Music: solo & ensemble. Students perform as soloists and/or as part of an ensemble choosing music from any style.
• Composing: You will compose an original piece in a style of your choice.  This could be a piece of vocal music, a piece for a small ensemble or an electronic piece. Students may also work with notation and record their work.
• Developing Musical Understanding: theory, history, score reading & analysis. Students will study these aspects of music with their tutor in order to prepare themselves for examination.

There are three main areas of study in the A level course:

• A musical performance:  You will prepare for a solo performance, choosing a piece or pieces to work on with your tutor.
• Developing musical ideas:  You will explore compositional technique and compose an original piece in a style of your choice for acoustic and/or electronic instrumentation.
• Music in context:  You will learn about the Western Classical Tradition and the four decades of Jazz and Blues from 1910-1950.

On this course, you will develop your practical skills as a solo performer or as part of an ensemble. You will learn compositional techniques and will develop your creativity through original musical compositions. You will also develop your aural perception skills, understanding of harmony, and knowledge of musical styles, contexts, and historical musical development.

Performing music: you will be assessed through recorded practical performance in college

Composing: you will produce work in controlled classroom conditions.

Developing musical understanding: you will sit a 1hr 45m listening and history examination marked externally.

A musical performance: you will be assessed through a 10-15 minute recorded practical performance in college which is externally moderated.

Developing musical ideas: you will produce work in controlled classroom conditions over 20 hours. This is then externally marked.

Music in context: you will sit a 2hr 15m listening and history examination which is marked externally.

The general requirements for direct entry to our two-year A level programmes are five GCSEs including English and maths at grade A*-C or equivalent, plus two additional GCSEs or BTECs at grade A*-C or the equivalent.

For students applying with new 1-9 grade tier GCSE qualifications in maths or English, we will consider a grade 4 as equivalent to grade C in terms of our general entry requirements. However, please be aware that specific subjects may require grade 5 or above in GCSE English or maths.

Applicants with five GCSEs at grade 9-4/A*-C including English and maths, but without the two additional 9-4/A*-C equivalent qualifications may be considered, dependent on individual circumstances, at the discretion of the Head or Deputy Head of Leeds Sixth Form College.

Students with a GCSE average score of below 5.7 (mostly C/4s at GCSE) will follow the three A level programme, whilst students with a GCSE average score of 5.7/6 (mostly B and above at GCSE) or above are encouraged to study four A level subjects. Our expert staff will help you to work out your expected average GCSE score for guidance.

In addition to our general entry criteria, some subjects have their own additional criteria.

For this A level, additional entry requirements include a grade 9-5 in GCSE Music and/or grade 5 practical and grade 3 theory (or equivalent).