AS/A2 Music

Why should I study a Music Course at Cardinal Newman?We have one of the largest Music departments in the north west which is based in our new St Cecilia building and it fully equipped with state of the art facilities including, rehearsal rooms, recording studios and performance studio. Our students perform in public, both in Britain and abroad, every year.

The Music department runs a choir, chamber choir, big band, string orchestra and several small ensembles which are open to all members of the College community. There are numerous musical events throughout the year including recitals (to which parents and friends are invited), carol service and passiontide service at St Wilfrid's Church and master classes by professional musicians. The choir have recently undertaken foreign tours, performing in concert halls in Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Prague and Austria. Perhaps the fact that our tour of Italy culminated in a performance in St Mark's in Venice will give you some idea of the venues in which we perform. The College encourages all students wishing to form their own band whatever the style of music.

Results are spectacular and within the top 5% of colleges and schools in the country.

What exactly will I study?
Much of what you will do will already be familiar to you, although at A Level you will study it in greater depth and to a higher level. The course demands performing, composing, listening and analytical skills in almost equal measure. You will listen to a wide variety of music and develop a more informed appreciation of how and why it was written. In the first year you will study three units culminating in a modular exam, these are:

· Unit 1: Performing Assessed examination by a visiting examiner.
Section A: Solo recital of 7-12 minutes.
Section B: one of: performing on a second instrument, performing in a duet or ensemble or as an accompanist or performing own composition

· Unit 2: Composing Assessed by your tutor.
Section A: Introduction to basic harmony.
Section B: Free composition.

· Unit 3: Introduction to Historical Study Timed examination paper.
Section A: Aural extracts using 'skeleton' scores.
Section B: Prescribed works.
Section C: Contextual study

A further three units will be taken in the second year culminating in a modular examination. These are:

· Unit 4: Performing Interpretation Assessed examination by a visiting examiner.
Section A: Recital (solo/ensemble/accompanying:12-15 minutes).
Section B: Performance Investigation: comparative study of recorded interpretations (a type of mini project)

· Unit 5: Composing Assessed folio by an external examiner.
Section A: Commissioned assignment.
Section B: Either stylistic techniques or composition assignment (e.g. film storyboard)

· Unit 6: Historical and Analytical Studies Timed examination paper.
Section A: Aural extracts.
Section B: Prescribed Topic (one from four).
Section C: Essay
Progression
Music and Music Technology A Levels carry the same weight as other individual A Levels. The courses can lead to specialism at a college of music or at a university. They have special value for those intending to become primary school teachers (some colleges for teacher education require Grade 5 piano on entry to courses for infant and primary school teaching). Both A Level courses can also be relevant for work in sound, radio, engineering, television and the theatre. These courses are an excellent foundation for entry into higher education for a variety of subjects.