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A-Level Music

at Cleeve School, Cheltenham · school or sixth form

Level 3A levelsGCE A level22 monthsFull timeFree

What the college says

The Music A Level course is an exciting and challenging balance of theory and practice, allowing individual students to develop all aspects of musicianship through Appraising, Performing and Composing. The Appraising is taught through three Areas of Study. The first Area of Study is The Western Classical Tradition and includes one set work (Symphony No.104 in D major, 'London' by Haydn).The second Area of Study will be decided by staff at the beginning of the course and will be from a Rock and Pop, Musical Theatre or Jazz genre. The third Area of Study will be based on Twentieth or Twenty-First Century music and will include two set works. Appraising is assessed though a written examination that will include set work analysis with a score, comparison questions, questions on unprepared extracts of music with and without the score and extended response questions. There are two routes through the Composition and Performance Components: Option A Performing: perform a minimum of three pieces with a total duration of between ten and twelve minutes. At least one piece must be a solo performance. The other pieces may be solo and/or ensemble performances and Option A Composing: create two compositions with a total duration of between four and six minutes. One composition is in response to a brief set by the exam board and associated with the Western Classical Tradition. The second composition is a free composition. Or Option B Performing: perform a minimum of two pieces with a total d

What you need to get on

Students should have achieved a grade 5 in Music GCSE and should be of approximately grade 5/6 standard on at least one instrument or voice (although actual exams need not have been taken).

How you are assessed

Academic subjects, mostly exams, three or four at once. The traditional route to university.

What this level means

The A-level-equivalent step, and what universities and employers ask for.

Is it open to 16 to 18 year olds?

Approved for 16 to 18 study on the government's Section 96 list.

Where it runs

  • Cleeve School

    Two Hedges Road Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, GL52 8AE

    DaytimeClassroom based
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Start dates

  • 3 September 2026 · Cheltenham

Who else teaches this exact qualification

Same qualification, different college. Entry requirements and how it is taught can differ a lot between them, which is the whole reason to compare.

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