Basically I'm fed up with computing and can't face doing it for another year and don't want to do general studies etc, so that leaves me needing to take up a new AS next year. Music is the subject i would choose as it's the one i think i would find most interesting and enjoyable and it would balance out my rather maths/sciency subjects. Only problem is that I didn't do GCSE. I think I should still be allowed to do it (will (well, should) have grades 8 and 6 in instruments and have done grade 5 theory plus a bit extra by the autumn), but that doesn't necessarily mean it would be sensible to do it.

What do you think?

Thanks
Sarah

Super idea!!

GCSE music does not really "prepare" you for AS music, in my opinion, and having Grade 5 is a great help. Practically, your standard of playing the instrument/s is high enough, and you may enjoy the performing side of the AS work. I don't know what exam board you will be following, but most has some sort of Composition or Compositional technique (Bach Chorales, Two parts counterpoint etc). Do you think you would enjoy this component? Having reached quite high level on your instrument, you should have fair knowledge of musical history already, and this should also be a help when analysing / listening to selected music throughout the music history.

So, I would say, GO FOR IT!
With Best Wishes for whatever you decide to do...
hero

I've also been told that grade 5 theory is much better preparation for A level than GCSE, which apparently is more music appreciation than music. With your instruments you only need to be grade 6 for AS and grade 7 for A2 to be in the highest band of marks so you're fine there.

With the composition, I've been told that for my board (not sure which it is, sorry) one part of it is composing in the style of Bach or Handel, and the other part is more free e.g. doing a film score or theme and variations.

I'm planning on doing AS next year and I've downloaded the free non-saving version of Sibelius to help me get my head around it, as the main difference between me and the people who've done GCSE will be that they know how to use Sibelius.

Good luck!
Rosie.

The board that my college uses at the moment is edexcel (but with the new courses starting next year, i guess that might change). I think it's 30% performing, 30% composing and 40% other stuff.

You obviously have a really good musical grounding so far which ,I think, more than qualifies you to take As Music. Go for it with confidence!

Do make sure your school Music department is good, Sarah, before you commit to this. Composition is not easy to do well in, and I think that's the part of GCSE which is the most useful at AS. If you've often composed a lot of your own stuff anyway, this may be OK, but it really helps to have some supportive teachers.

I'm sure the performing side will be absolutely fine, but most people find the listening paper tricky, so again good teaching is very useful.

If you think you'll enjoy Music AS then Ithink you should go for it, but make sure you ask the current year 12s what they think of the teaching support to aid your decision.

I've spoken to a couple of people doing music. They seem to think that I'd be able to do it, but that, like you say, the composing bit is where i'd be most behind.

In terms of the quality of teaching, i've been looking through the prospectus and 21 out of 33 people got As last year, so it must be pretty good.

Wow it sounds like the teaching is good - I'm amazed at the amount of people taking music at AS...in my school there's currently only about 6 people doing AS and only about 3 doing A2! And the teachers in my music department are good!

I think you should go for it. My A-level prospectus says that GCSE music isn't necessary to take the a-level music course, and that a high level of performing is needed, with an interest of different styles of music. It sounds like you are at a high performance standard, and are really interested in music, so should be able to do well.

Do the music teachers in your school know about your musical abilities? If so, perhaps it might be useful for you to ask them their opinions on how you'd get along with the course.

As people have said, the composing side of things may be slightly lacking if you didn't use Sibelius software for GCSE, but it isn't too hard to use, and your teacher/other students in your class will be able to help with where to find all the symbols and everything. Your grade 5 theory will be extremely beneficial, as others have said, as you will already know about cadences and composing melodies etc...

Good luck with whatever decision you choose!

Laura

Wow, your school sounds enormous! How many Music departments can boast 33 AS candidates? It certainly sounds as if the results are good, so as long as you're prepared to work at the composing you should be fine.

Good luck whatever you decide.

There's about 1000 people in each year, so 33 people is a relatively small subject (eg 345 people doing maths)


not yet. There didn't seem to be many opportunities for a not-amazing pianist not doing music (recorder is new since then) , so i didn't sign up for anything at the beginning of the year. At some point next week I will try and find a music teacher to talk to though.

Oh right I suppose that makes sense if there's 1000 people in a year group! I think there's about 250 in each year group at my school

Does your school have a choir? The only reason I ask is because a few people in my school doing music for GCSE and A-level were reccommended to join the choir to help with aural practise which'll help for the listening side of the exam...

There is at least one choir. Singing's not really my thing, but as far as i know all music students have to join it, so it looks as though i probably will be next year (assuming i can do music).

I would go for it! I don't know what the instrumental groups and other music clubs are like at your massive school (other than choir, which you've mentioned) but I would suggest even though you play the piano and recorder, trying to find at least one club you could go to, like a folk group that needs a pianist or something, so you get a good relationship with the teacher and they can see how good and dedicated you are ect. Also, generally in our clubs theres quite a few GCSE musicians so the teacher will often say things like "at this point in the piece theres a question and answer phrase and xxx should know what the other word for this is" So it might help you that way, learning different musical words which aren't performance directions and don't come up in music exams! (sorry for rambling on)