Description
Our AQA A Level Music online course aims to cultivate the next generation of musicians by equipping them with the confidence, skills, and deep understanding of music required to excel. Whether you aspire to pursue a BMus or a BA (Hons) in Music at university, this comprehensive A Level Music online programme will lay the groundwork for your academic and professional journey.
The curriculum encompasses both practical and theoretical elements, covering an array of topics such as musical analysis, harmony, composition, and performance practice. In addition to traditional approaches, our online Music A Level utilises state-of-the-art digital platforms, allowing for a more flexible and enriching learning experience.
Homework, Assessment and Reporting
In our sixth form, students enrolled in the A Level Music course online are required to complete at least one piece of homework per subject each week. To achieve success, we recommend that students revise notes and consolidate their learning after every lesson. As a guideline, for every hour of in-class instruction, an additional hour of independent study should be completed.
Homework tasks in Music are multi-faceted, ranging from performance practice to musical analysis, harmony exercises, and composition projects. These assignments are designed to deepen your understanding and hone your skills in various aspects of music.
To track your educational progress, Level 5 internal assessments are conducted in June, while Level 6 internal mock assessments are scheduled for November and March. Reports, which include grades for attainment and effort along with constructive feedback from Success Coaches and the Head Teacher, are issued at the end of the Autumn and Summer terms for Level 5, and following the Autumn and Spring term mock assessments for Level 6.
Parental Engagement
Parents are encouraged to use their family Teams account to maintain consistent communication with teachers about their child’s progress throughout the year. This proactive approach offers the unique advantage of more detailed tracking compared to a traditional annual parent consultation evening.
By opting for our A Level Music course online, you’re not just learning; you’re composing the score for your future in the world of music.
Click here to see this year’s Assessment and Reporting schedule
The course will follow the current AQA A Level specification.
The course will be based on the Rhinegold Study Guide recommended for the AQA A Level – https://www.rhinegoldeducation.co.uk/product/aqa-as-and-a-level-music-study-guide/
This specification is well-regarded among colleges and universities due to its integrated structure allowing learners to grasp the interconnection of all aspects of Music practice and appreciation, and thereby giving a firm basis from which to springboard into A Level and beyond.
Composition: 25%
Two compositions are required – one of the candidate’s own choice and another to a brief released by the exam board in September of the academic year the candidate is to take their exam. The minimum total length for the two compositions is 4 and a half minutes. Compositions need to be submitted as a recording accompanied by a score, lead sheet, or written account. This recording can be done live (carried out by the student and accompanied by other musicians if necessary, who do not need to be following the course) or electronically produced (for which there is plenty of free or cheap software available). Both compositions will be monitored as work in progress throughout the process to ensure that the work is clearly the candidate’s own: this is an exam board requirement.
Performance: 35%
Performances must total a minimum of 10 minutes which may (but does not have to) include some ensemble work. Ideally, students study these pieces with their instrumental teachers with guidance by their A level music teacher on repertoire choice. For those students without instrumental/vocal teachers, we are able and happy to provide instruction on performance throughout the course, including regular assessments. All students need to be aware that they will be responsible for finding someone else to perform alongside for the ensemble aspect of the course if they wish to choose that aspect; they will also need to find an accompanist where necessary. This should not be a major issue as instrumental teachers often have other students who could participate in a duo/ trio or the teachers themselves can perform with the candidates (the other performers in the ensemble need not be A Level candidates). Alternatively, candidates could find people to perform with through their local music centre or even through advertising online.
To ensure all the submitted exam performances are the candidates’ own announcement which will match up with the mp3 recording of the same performance. the videos will only be seen by the teacher and will not be sent to the exam board.
Appraising Music: 40%
Within classes, students will learn how to aurally analyse each of the musical elements and compositional devices listed within the specification. To help expand the number of pieces studied, students would then apply such analysis to different pieces within the same Area of Study. Allowing
for peer review, the teacher may ask students to mark each others’ work, which would also ensure they are encountering a greater number of pieces.
Teacher assessments are continuous during the live taught lessons, monitoring and marking of non-exam assessments, and summative tests. Both performance and composition are non-examined assessments. (The teacher has confirmed with AQA that it is acceptable for him to carry out these assessments and sign the authentication forms). The listening and appraising component is externally assessed at the end of the course and thus will need to take place at a centre.
- Reliable broadband connection
- Main instrument / voice at Grade 6+ standard, and ideally regular instrumental / vocal lessons – performance is 35% of the overall exam
- Means of recording performances (the recording function on smart phones / tablets should suffice
- but a microphone or recording device would be even better)
- Means of recording composition e.g. manuscript paper, music software (notation software / DAW / sequencer, etc.), audio recording accompanied by written account
The AQA A Level Music syllabus enables pupils to progress on to BA (Hons) and BMus courses at university and/or develop their skills as a performer or composer.
Assessment and Qualifications Alliance – AQA
2 x LIVE weekly 1 hour lessons, marking and feedback, exam preparation and lots of friendly advice and encouragement
It is the parents’ responsibility to arrange their child’s examinations; our teachers will provide all the support required. Most students will sit their examination papers at a school or college who accept private candidates. Some students sit their examinations at private examination centres.
If you are intending to study A Level Music, we recommend that you spend some time in the summer holidays preparing. Obviously, the best preparation is to practise your instrument, but here are some other suggested activities:
Watch:
YouTube channel – Inside the Score – to deepen your appreciation of classical and film music
YouTube channel – Listening In – a variety of fantastic video essays on music
YouTube channel – Adam Neely – a collection of video essays, lessons and vlogs
YouTube channel – David Bruce Composer – an interesting and entertaining journey through music
YouTube channel – Rick Beato – producer, composer, audio-engineer and music theorist
YouTube channel – David Bennett Piano – pianist creating interesting and entertaining educational music videos
Listen:
BBC Sounds – The Listening Service – a journey of imagination and insight, exploring how music works
What does the A Level Music online course aim to achieve?
The online Music A Level course is tailored to inspire future musicians. It equips students with the necessary confidence, skills, and understanding of music to prepare them for university studies in BMus or BA (Hons) Music.
What types of homework are expected in the Music A Level online course?
In addition to the usual one piece of homework per week per subject, Music A Level students will have ongoing assignments that may involve performance practice, musical analysis, harmony, and composition.
What is the assessment process for the Music A Level course?
The assessments for Music A Level include Level 5 internal assessments in June and Level 6 internal mock assessments in November and March. Additionally, teacher assessments are ongoing throughout the course, including marking non-exam assessments and summative tests in both performance and composition.
How can parents keep track of their child’s progress in the online Music A Level course?
Parents are urged to utilise their family Teams account to maintain regular communication with teachers throughout the academic year. This method allows for a more detailed and continuous tracking of the student’s progress compared to an annual consultation evening.
What study guide is recommended for the A Level Music online course?
The course follows the AQA A Level specification and is based on the Rhinegold Study Guide, which is highly regarded among educational institutions for its integrated structure that helps students understand all aspects of music practice and appreciation.
How it works
Students attend two weekly LIVE interactive music classes with a qualified and experienced teachers. All lessons are video-recorded and provide an invaluable resource for revision and catch up. Additionally, students receive access to their own online studio where they can work through their course. Units and assignments are listed along with supporting resources, video tutorials for skills development, step by step guides etc. Audio, video and Word files of students’ completed work are uploaded to their college e portfolio for assessment and constructive, friendly written feedback on how to progress. Additionally students are invited to attend optional LIVE interactive online lessons at timetabled times. If students can’t make the lessons they can watch them in their own time so they won’t miss any of the course content. The fully qualified and experienced school music teachers are available for feedback via email and the online learning portal. Students are invited to discuss their progress and receive face to face verbal feedback, encouragement and support. Students may also benefit from relationships with their fellow online students as they can view profiles and comment on each others’ work if they wish.
Note
It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to arrange their examinations. It is possible to sit Music examinations at various exam centres across the UK (including Northern Ireland) and perhaps at your local school or college.
A Level Music is not available for private candidates outside of the UK. If you are an international student at an international school, you will probably need to travel to the UK to sit the written paper in the June of the exam year.
The Teachers
Music at Cambridge Home School Online is taught by Mr Gazard and Miss Werry. Click on the names below to find out more about our Music teachers.