Are you able to sit Alevel music as an external candidate? I am unfortunatly in a position where I cant take a level music. I was hoping to take (and pass ) grade 8 theory to get me into a position where I can apply for music colleges. But is it possible to do it from home?? How would I go about doing this? I'm also sitting alevel physics as an external candidate - and 3 courses in college. Do you think that it would be too much work? I think so. But so would grade 8 theory!

Yes you can I think as long as you have a school to enter you

tooty_flute, as well as a piano teacher, I was a part-time head of music in a 6th form college for 10 years. I have experience of entering and preparing external candidates for 'A' level music.

Tell me why you are considering external 'A' level music and\or grade 8 theory and I will try to advise you further.

Steve

Unfortunatly the college I am going to does not offer music A level. I am hoping to apply for music college (aswell as applying for a UCAS placement) but looking around and speaking to people from these music colleges their entry requirements are generally either music alevel or grade 8 practical and theory. I personally think this isnt such a good idea - because at the end of the day its all down to your audition, and if they want you, they'l have you. Anyway I dont want to jepordise my chances of getting to music college - just because I am unable to take music Alevel. Ug its so complicated!

Isobel, why on earth are you going to a sixth form college that doesn't do A level music, if Music is what you want to study?

Since you're 16 i assume you haven't actually started sixth form yet. My strong advice is to look around, quick, and get yourself into a college that does offer Music!

Liz

Ther are some areas where there is no 6th form offering A level music... and even if you are lucky enough to have one that is then, come September, it might be dropped if there are not enough takers.
It's like that where I live.

Or you could end up in a class of electric guitar players who have to be taught how to read music before they can start on anylising scores and working on harmony...... I know that to have happened too.

I am applying to study optometry. Its not as if my future depends on getting into music college. However I would like to apply and see what happens. The school I just left did music - however for me my only option now is college. It a long story that I can tell you if you PM me, but I find full time school very difficult and its not worth staying on at school and feeling misrable just for the sake on an entry requirement.

I'm going to apply anyway - music alevel or not. If they want me, they'l give me a place - but if not I have a career as an optician waiting for me!

Hi Isobel

You are correct in saying that music colleges will take a performer they want regardless of qualifications. Bear in mind, though, that music college students are absolutely brilliant players of their instruments well before audition. The average age at which music college piano students took grade 8, if indeed they bothered at all, is about 14. The age for fluatists is probably younger still - there are few places for them. Grade 8 practical and theory takes care of most of the entry qualifications.

You can sit 'A' level music as in external candidate at any school\college prepared to host your exam. The logical place to approach is one that offers an 'A' level music course, but your own college may be prepared to host your exam even though they do not offer a course.

External candidates are catered for by exam boards. They provide replacements for coursework elements marked by internal course tutors. For example, as an 'A' level teacher, I had to mark 'coursework performance' on behalf of my students. They had to give a set number of performances during the course; I had to award them a (moderated) mark. External candidates replaced this element with performances at the externally marked practical exam.

The biggest problem external candidates face is finding someone with sufficient experience, understanding and expertise to help them. Is there a college\school close by that offers 'A' level music? If so, the music staff there might help.

Let me know if you need more help. I will do my best.

Steve

I know that some players who find the standard of A level music at their present sixth form college/school unacceptable go to junior music college departments on a saturday instead. If you did that you could also do the music groups on your instrument and get lessons from a music college teacher.