Welcome to Music A Level By the end

Welcome to Music A Level By the end of this course you will: • Perform an 8 minute recital at approximately a grade 7 standard • Create and notate a 4 minute composition • Harmonise a Bach chorale melody in 4 parts • Write a 2 hour exam paper on 18 set works, including: pop; jazz; ‘classical’; film music; avant garde; fusion.

Music A Level: Course content You will study. . . Overview Yr 12 • Perform an 8 minute recital • Create and notate a 4 minute composition • Write a 2 hour exam paper on 9 set works: Vocal: J. S. Bach, Cantata; Mozart, The Magic Flute; Vaughan Williams, On Wenlock Edge; Instrumental: Vivaldi, Concerto in D minor; Clara Wieck. Schumann, Trio in G minor; Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique; Film: Danny Elfman, Batman Returns; Rachel Portman, The Duchess; Bernard Herrmann, Psycho. Yr 13 • Perform an 8 minute recital • Harmonise a choral melody in 4 parts • Write a 2 hour exam paper on 18 set works Pop 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.

Music A Level: Assessment Exam board: Assessment: Percentage: Examination 40% Coursework 60% Detail: One 2 hour exam at the end of year 13. One composition - 20% One chorale harmonisation - 10% An 8 minute performance recital – 30%

Music A Level Requirements Course requirements • General College entry requirements Which skills are needed? • • • The ability to play an instrument or sing to the required standard Essay writing skills Aural skills (recognising keys, cadences, chords, musical styles etc. ) The ability to read music Theory knowledge up to grade 5 ABRSM Expectations and workload • • • 3 internal formal assessments completed per academic year 2 homework assignments completed per week Regular practice on your instrument

Music A Level Further information 2015/6 Course Performance Course enrichment: • 100% of students achieved an A*-C grade by the end of Year 13 • Numerous extra curricular activities available. 2015/6 Example student destination(s) • Leeds College or University; Nottingham University Department contact details • Ms B. Prior • bprior@toothillschool. co. uk • 01949 863 072

Why GCE Music? Ben Lee Toot Hill Brass teacher and former student The most famous person I’ve been asked to play for is the Queen. Celebrities include Ant and Dec, Peter Kay, Bradley Walsh, Tony Blackburn, John Cleese, Tony Blair, Jeremy Kyle, Anton Du Beke, Eamonn Holmes and Alan Shearer. Tashaka Baumber Toot Hill Singing teacher Ready to perform in The Lion King. I have had the pleasure of touring most of the world as a backing vocalist for various pop artists, such as Westlife, Mis teeq and The Lighthouse Family to name a few.

Eddie Taylor Mike Benson Toot Hill Grandparent / Drummer Toot Hill Parent / Sound technician The mixing desk on the main stage at a ‘Florence and the Machine’ gig in Poland. I have “jammed” with Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong, and more recently Jools Holland. I once lost a cymbal to Charlie Watts; the drummer with the Rolling Stones.