Music A level - any experiences *title edited by MNHQ*

[Revengeofthepangolins]

DS year 11 is strongly considering doing music A level. They have to do four, so doing one that is a bit different makes sense to me, but I wanted to check if it is one of these subjects, like Art, that people in know rear back from in dismay as being a time sink.
He plays as grade 8 on his first instrument, so I am hoping that the performance bit wouldn't be too much of a problem, but am I underestimating the standard needed there?
I also wonder if it is a trickier option if you don't have keyboard skills - his instruments are all single line.
Any observations or colour gratefully received.

My DD did A-level music, alongside Maths, History, and RS. She was doing G8 on one instrument and G6 on voice, but she had also done G6 theory and G5 piano (much earlier). It wasn't nearly such a time sink as Art, say, but there is still a lot, though no more than History or RS. There's a lot of essay writing, and you have to be able to compose. It's a pretty academic A-level, in fact! A high level of Theory was really useful, she said.

You might find it useful to ask on the "Spring 2022 Music Thread" in Extra-Curricular Activities - my DD is two years into uni now so that thread might have really current info.

One DS did uni music without having done A level. Another did AS very half heartedly, 100% in performance, having found the music under his bed the weekend before, 100% for composition, which took an afternoon and an E for the listening paper (this was the old style, perhaps 10 years ago). I'd say it's an easy option if you're a good performer (as in G8) as you have a third of the course done already. Always handy to have keyboard skills but plenty don't. So few are doing music at the moment, it might make him stand out, even if he's pursuing another subject at uni.

I did music A-level (caveat: 20+ years ago). I think it’s worth finding out what is in the syllabus of the course his school/college is offering. Ours had no composition, and I’d imagine that would be a real time commitment if his course included composition.

I think about 40% of the marks for our syllabus were on performance, which is in theory great if you’re a strong performer, but in addition to an externally marked recital, we had to submit 7-10 graded public performances, being a mixture of solo and ensemble. This was actually a big commitment over the two years, as you had to find sufficient opportunities for performing, and make sure you have sufficiently difficult pieces, and have your teacher/assessor present at all of them. Some you’d want to discard before picking your final portfolio. I moved schools to make sure I was in a larger group, and I’d say that the local setup is vital. You need peers to perform with, and a good school/regional/county culture of performance opportunities.

The harmony and history elements of our course were straightforward in terms of time commitment.

I did have grade 5 piano but had largely given up by the time I did A-level music, and it didn’t matter. I didn’t struggle with the Bach chorale stuff (I don't know if that's even included in music A-level nowadays!). If he has grade 5 theory and I’d be surprised if his lack of keyboard skills were an issue – but I would check the syllabus just in case.

Things have moved on a lot in 20 years! They have also moved on since my daughter took A level music in 2015.

All A level students have to compose and the performance element is limited to between 6-10 minutes.

Grade 8 standard will be absolutely fine and lack of keyboard skills shouldn't be an issue. You don't have to perform both as a soloist and as part of an ensemble (though you can if you like).

I'd check with the school/college what exam board they use and look at the spec. As an example here (I hope) is a link to the AQA spec.

Thanks all. I will ask at parents' evening of course, but as we only get 4 mins per subject, some pre-priming is essential!
That old performance requirement sounds brutal. DS2's school does Edexcel so 30% performance which is an 8 mins minimum recital and 30% composition, which does indeed still include faking Bach chorales, although the world being what it is, one can now instead inflict a remix on an audio sample, god help us.

DD had Grade 8 and did A level music. Her playing was her strongest element to it! She decided at the last minute to study another subject when it came to uni, but her music A level didn't stop her getting five offers (even though it was totally unrelated to her chosen uni course).