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Music

Why Music?

The course actively engages you in a wide variety of genres of Music, opening up new opportunities for their enjoyment of the subject. It gives you the skills to develop as a well-rounded musician in the three disciplines of performing, composing and appraising.

The A-Level Music course encourages you to develop as an independent thinker and reflect on the processes associated with the subject. You will be able to gain an experience of performing to larger audiences and will be able to work closely with our music technician to create recordings of your performances in our own studio.

 

What do I need to know?

Exam board: We study Edexcel Music.

Entry Requirements: As well as the standard Sixth Form requirements, you must also have grade 5 or above in GCSE Music and in performing, either Grade 5 ABRSM or equivalent with another examination board. It is not a requirement to have taken the exam but you would need to be able to perform to this standard.

Key Content: The course also gives you the opportunity to work with professional musicians and ensembles which in turn may give you valuable connections to pursue when you have finished your studies

What is the work like?

As an example of the kind of work that you will cover during the A-Level course, please find to the right the pre-A-Level material that we asked Year 11 to complete before starting their Music course with us in September.

Music Pre A-Level Course

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Mr Robins will be happy to answer any questions that you might have. You are welcome to email him on paul.robins@twynhamschool.com.

To ask a Music student more about the course, please email student@twynhamsixthform.com and they will be happy to help you.

 

Curriculum Information

Music Curriculum

Additional costs

We provide:  In class access to:-

Edexcel Anthology of Music (ISBN:9781292118369)

If you want copies to work at home these will need to be purchased.

Other costs:  To be met by students

Compulsory: Edexcel Music Revision Guide (ISBN: 9781785581724) £10

Compulsory: AKG K52 Studio Headphones £26

Compulsory: Memory Stick/Portable Hard Drive (minimum 16GB) £10

We will be working with a professional accompanist during the two years of study with a voluntary contribution of approximately £15 per student

Optional: Edexcel AS and A Level Music Listening Tests (ISBN: 9781785581700) £20

Assessment

Component 1: Performing (60 marks, 30% of the A Level qualification)

This unit requires students to perform one or more pieces as part of a recital. They can play an instrument or sing a solo either as part of an ensemble or as a soloist. The performance could also include some improvisation or the realisation of music using music technology. We pay for an accompanist for this exam and give our students an opportunity to rehearse with them prior to examination. Students will also have a chance to record their performance in our studio should they wish. Grade 5 ABRSM standard or above is desirable but not essential.

Component 2: Composing (60 marks, 30% of the A level qualification)

This unit requires students to compose two compositions. One must be linked to a brief set by the exam board and this composition carries 40 marks of this component. The total time of the two compositions must be a minimum of 6 minutes.

Component 3: Appraising (Written Exam - 2 hours, 100 marks, 40% of the A level qualification)

In this unit students are examined about their knowledge and understanding of the musical elements, contexts and language. They will study six areas of study, including thirteen set works across all areas. These are:

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

They will also be required to answer questions on unheard music from these areas of study. Students will get their own copy of the CD for the exam over which they will have complete control.

You must perform a piece that is Grade 6 standard or higher.

Twynham School Music Scholarship Programme

Twynham School runs a music scholarship program which enables gifted and talented students to have free instrumental tuition on an ‘endangered’ orchestral instrument. The scheme has been running for three years and it has enabled students to perform with a variety of ensembles including the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

We would expect prospective applicants of the program to be studying music at Twynham and to be of an ABRSM Grade 6 or equivalent on the instrument for which they are applying. The scholarship means that students will receive free music tuition in school, for one year, which will be renewable annually depending on their Attitude to Learning grades and their progress with their instrument. The tuition will be ten 30 minute lessons per term.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

  • School Musical
  • Opportunities to play with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
  • Twynham Scholarship Orchestra
  • UT Funk Jazz Band
  • ABRSM Grade 5 Theory
  • Music Technology Club
  • Music Tour (to Europe)
  • A Level Recital Evening
  • Priory Carol Festival
  • Bournemouth Music Festival
  • New Milton Music Festival