Message from Jo Cosgrove, Head of Performing Arts
Are you creative? Do you enjoy performing and or recording music? Do you enjoy composing your own music, devising your own theatrical performances and using sequencing software? Then we have the courses for you. We offer A-Levels in Music, Theatre Studies and Music Technology. Opting for one of our courses can open the door to a career in performing, composing, acting, directing, recording, teaching, lighting design, set and prop design, journalism, film and gaming music, session musicianship, musical directorship.
It might be that you simply enjoy music; we have lots of students who take our subjects to show that they are well-rounded individuals and universities view our courses fondly.
Students in the recent past have gone on to study Music at Cambridge, LIPA, Sheffield and Manchester. We have strong links with The University of Huddersfield and the majority of our Music Technology applicants choose to study there. Many of our students are now professional musicians, including a musical director at the Royal Exchange, Manchester.
Students have various enrichment opportunities with regular trips to concerts and the theatre and we regularly work in partnership with Liverpool Empire Theatre. Our Headteacher is an advocate of the arts, and should you wish to learn an instrument in college, the cost of these lessons is generously subsidised. If you are opting for A-Level Music you need to be having music lessons to be accepted onto the course, you can take these through the college or privately.
A-Level Music
Exam Board
AQA
Entry Requirements:
A minimum of 3 grade 5s including English Language and Music and 2 grade 4s at GCSE.
What will I study?
3 components - 1: Appraising Music 2: Performance & 3: Composition
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed at the end of the course. Component 1 will be assessed by an exam covering listening, analysis, and an essay. Component 2 involves a 10-minute performance of solo/ensemble/ sequencing/multitrack recording. Component 3 involves two compositions, one free and one to brief.
What will it lead to?
You may go on to study Music at undergraduate level and future careers may include musician; music therapist; private music teacher; sound technician; broadcast engineer; community arts worker; or radio producer.
A-Level Music Technology
Exam Board
AQA
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 3 grade 5s including English Language and Music or Music Technology and 2 grade 4s at GCSE.
What will I study?
4 components - 1: Technology Based Composition 2: Recording 3: Listening and Analysing and 4: Producing and Analysing
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed on all four components at the end of the course. For component 1 you will plan and carry out your own multi-track; for component 2 you will use a range of production techniques to create your own original composition; for component 3 you will sit a written examination and component 4 will involve a practical and a written examination.
What will it lead to?
You may go on to study Music Technology at undergraduate level and future careers may include director of audio/visual events; audio and lighting technician; music centre owner and entrepreneur; audio engineer of audio-visual specialist.
A-Level Theatre Studies
Exam Board
Eduqas
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 3 grade 5s and 2 grade 4s at GCSE including English Language plus a grade 5 in Drama (if studied)
What will I study?
Component 1 students participate in the creation, development, and performance of a piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an extract from a text in the style of an influential theatre practitioner or company.
Component 2 includes a visit from an external examiner who will be presented with two practical pieces; a devised piece using the techniques and working methods of either an influential theatre practitioner or company and secondly students perform an extract from a text in a different style chosen by the student themselves.
Component 3 Text in Performance is a written exam in which students respond to 3 significant theatre texts that will have been explored practically throughout the course.
How will I be assessed?
Component 1: Theatre Workshop is internally assessed and externally moderated in year one. Component 2: Text in Action is assessed in year two by a visiting examiner and Component 3: Text in Performance is a written exam at the end of year two.
What will it lead to?
You may go on to study Drama at undergraduate level. Future careers may include actor; presenter; choreographer; musician; dancer; sound engineer; lighting engineer; theatre director; community arts worker; casting manager; broadcaster; writer; producer; Make-up Artist or costume designer.