Music

Course Content & Assessment

Extra-curricular Music Activities
There is a wide range of rehearsing and performing opportunities throughout the year. Students are expected to be involved in extra-curricular music as part of GCSE and post-16 music course. Students are also encouraged to take a lead in running some activities e.g. guitar club and pop vocal workshop, under the guidance of staff. There is a full programme of music activities at lunchtimes, after-school and as special workshops, geared around student interests. These rehearsals are a major part of preparation for concerts and music productions. During most months in the school calendar there are public performances, either as a whole school or smaller scale event. Some music groups are specifically for our gifted and talented students; other groups are encouraging all students to experience a big performing experience e.g. The Big Choir, the Children in Need, the Christmas concert and the whole school production. JOQE, our jazz orchestra, continues recording tracks and has participated in joint workshops with Bournemouth & Poole College.

A-Level Music is an exciting course which aims to give students a broad and indepth experience of Music through practical performance, composition and listening tasks. The course structure keeps Music as the focus, allowing pupils to explore new concepts, composers and features in an exciting range of music styles and forms. Pupils who study A-Level Music will gain a holistic understanding of Music, through analysis and investigation, which builds directly on understanding developed at GCSE level.

The course suits practical Musicians who enjoy performance, composition and exploring new music. Studying A-Level Music will help learners to develop critical and creative thinking skills, to perform, compose and appreciate different types of Music.

Students will have the opportunity to perform regularly as part of a group and as a soloist, to compose using a range of software and study given pieces of music using a practical approach to analysis; often set works are performed in some form by the pupils themselves to enhance understanding.

KS5: BTEC MUSIC; BTEC PERFORMING ARTS; A LEVEL MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
Music continues to be an important part of post-16 education at QE School. Students achieve excellent results whether studying BTEC or A-Level Music Technology. A good percentage of our students have gone on to Higher Education to study music, others have also been successful in establishing themselves as bands, recording and performing successfully both locally and beyond. We are therefore very proud of our alumni, but recognise that we are at an important point in further developing musical opportunities for our post-16 students. Links with Bournemouth & Poole College, professional musicians and music workshops will be an important part of future planning. Personalised learning lies at the heart of the way students progress through their sixth form studies.

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Entry Criteria & Progression

Route: GCSE Grade 6 in Music

The course content allows students to develop their knowledge and skills of music, enabling them to progress to undergraduate music or music related courses.