Music

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Is this course for me?
If you have a keen interest in creating and listening to different styles of music, and if you wish to further your appreciation and understanding of music, then this is the course for you. There is a strong emphasis on performing and you can perform in any style, whether it's jazz, classical, folk or heavy metal.

What qualifications do I need?
College entry requirements plus GCSE English grade 5 or above. You will also need a grade 6 or above in GCSE music. However, if you have not studied GCSE Music and are interested in the course, it is essential that you contact the course tutor before signing up.

What does the course involve?
A level Music is a two-year course comprising of three components.

Component 1: Appraising (40%)
This part of the course is designed to further develop your listening and appraising skills. At the end of the second year there is an exam where you listen to familiar and unfamiliar music and answer questions relating to the extracts. You are also expected to demonstrate a contextual awareness of what you have studied. Area of Study 1 is compulsory. Two more are chosen from areas of study 2 - 7.

AOS 1: Western classical Music (1650 - 1910)
AOS 2: Pop Music
AOS 3: Music for Media and Film
AOS 4: Music for Theatre
AOS 5: Jazz
AOS 6: Contemporary Traditional Music
AOS 7: Art Music since 1910

Component 2: Performing (35%)
This component involves creating a programme of music lasting for at least 10 minutes. The performance can be on any instrument and of any style and can involve any combination of:

Solo performing
Ensemble performing
Production via music technology

For solo and ensemble performing the level of difficulty is expected to be equivalent to between grade 5 and 8.

Component 3: Composition (25%)
Students will learn how to develop musical ideas, including extending and manipulating musical ideas, including extending and manipulating musical ideas, and learn to compose music that is
musically convincing through two compositions. One must be in response to an externally set brief by the exam board (AQA) and the other a free composition which can be in any style. The combined duration of the compositions should be a minimum of four and a half minutes.

What can I do afterwards?
After completing Music A level, many students from Helston Community College have gone on to study music at conservatoires, universities and music colleges. It is also an excellent route if you are interested in a career as a musician in the armed forces.