A LEVEL
Music
Music is about creativity, expression, and connection. It’s a subject where you can develop your skills as a performer, composer, and listener, while deepening your understanding of how music communicates emotion and meaning.
Perform, compose, and explore a wide range of styles, from classical to contemporary, learning how musical ideas take shape and how your own creativity can grow through practice and reflection.
You arrive as you are, and you’re celebrated for it. You leave ready to take on the world.
— Sixth Form student
Why Choose Music at St Paul’s?
In Music at St Paul’s, we work closely with you to build confidence in performing, composing and understanding music in depth.
- Smaller class sizes allow for personalised guidance, helping you refine your performance, composition, and technical skills.
- Dedicated teachers bring expertise and enthusiasm, inspiring you to explore different styles, instruments, and genres.
- A collaborative environment where students perform, compose, and create together, learning from each other’s strengths.
- Music opens doors to a range of future paths including performance, production, education, sound design, and media.
- A place to discover your voice, grow in confidence, and take pride in the music you create and share.
Where Music Can Take You
A number of our Music students continue their studies at top universities and conservatoires, developing their talents in performance, composition, production, or sound design. Others use their musical skills to forge exciting careers across the creative industries.
I thought about leaving, but I realised no one else would care about me the way St Paul’s does. Here, I’m not starting over, I’m moving forward.
— Student Name
What You’ll Study
You’ll develop your technical skills and creative voice, learning to think critically, experiment boldly and communicate ideas through visual expression, examples of skills that universities, art schools and employers value.
These skills will include:
- Appraising – tests listening, analysis, and essay skills across three areas of study:
The Development of the Symphony
Music Theatre
Into the Twentieth Century
- Performing – Students perform at least two contrasting pieces, equivalent to Grade 6 standard. Major performance students present a 10–12 minute recital assessed by a visiting examiner, while minor performance students present 6–8 minutes.
- Composing – Students create original compositions demonstrating both technical skill and creativity. Major composition students complete three works (including one linked to the Western Classical tradition), while minor composition students complete two.
Full details of the course can be found in the exam board’s official Eduqas specification.
Throughout the course, you’ll strengthen your ability to listen critically, perform with confidence, and compose with imagination. The skills you develop will prepare you for further study and a variety of careers in the music and creative sectors.
You arrive as you are, and you’re celebrated for it. You leave ready to take on the world.
— Sixth Form student
Sounds of St Paul's
Our students bring music to life through performance, composition, and collaboration. These videos showcase their talent and creativity, offering a glimpse into the vibrant musical culture that thrives within St Paul’s.
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Music Exam Results
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PASS RATE
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achieved
A* to C
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achieved
A* to B
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achieved
A* to A
Entry Requirements
In addition to our standard entry requirements, a number of our courses have specific entry requirements to ensure you are ready to thrive in the subject. For Music, you’ll need:
- Grade 6+ in Music
- Grade 5+ in Music Theory
- Grade 5+ (or equivalent) in an instrument
These requirements are in place to help set you up for success and make sure you have the right foundation to enjoy the challenge of Sixth Form study.
I thought about leaving, but I realised no one else would care about me the way St Paul’s does. Here, I’m not starting over, I’m moving forward.
— Student Name
Hear From Our Students
Music pushed me to develop my theory & technical knowledge while applying them to my compositional skills and instrumental performance
Mr G Stewart
SUBJECT LEADER FOR MUSIC
Thank you for your interest in Music at St Paul’s. Our team of dedicated specialists are here to support and guide you as you develop your skills and confidence as a musician.
If you’d like to know more about studying Music at A Level or about future pathways, please do get in touch, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Send me a message
We’d love to hear from you, whether you want to talk about subject choices, entry requirements, or your future career ideas.
Are you ready to develop your musical talent, explore new ideas, and share your creativity through performance and composition?
Start your Music journey at St Paul’s.
Whatever course you choose, you’ll be joining a community where every student is known and loved. Our mission is not just to help you succeed academically, but to help you grow as a person, supported and celebrated every step of the way.
MusicCourse Content
This course offers students the choice to major or minor performing and composing. The units will build and develop on the study you have already started in Year 12.
| PAPERAppraising | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEIGHT |
40% |
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LENGTH |
2 Hours & 15 Minutes |
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This paper will incorporate listening, analysis, and essay questions on the following areas of study:
- The Development of the Symphony
- Music Theatre
- Into the Twentieth Century
Â
| COMPONENT 1Performing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MINOR |
MAJOR |
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WEIGHT |
25% |
35% |
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LENGTH |
6-8 Minutes |
10-12 Minutes |
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FORMAT |
Two Pieces |
Two Pieces |
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If you choose to major in performance you will perform for 10-12 minutes, and will be assessed by a visiting examiner. If you choose to minor performing you will perform for 6-8 minutes. You will need to perform at least two contrasting pieces that are equivalent to Grade 6 standard.
| COMPONENT 2Composing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MINOR |
MAJOR |
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WEIGHT |
25% |
35% |
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LENGTH |
4-6 Minutes |
8-10 Minutes |
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FORMAT |
Two Compositions |
Three Compositions |
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If you choose to major in composing, you will complete three compositions, that have a total duration of 8-10 minutes. One composition must link to the Western Classic tradition and will be based on a set brief, one to another area of study, and one will be a free composition. If you choose to minor in composing, you will complete two compositions, that have a total duration of 4-6 minutes. One composition must link to the Western Classic tradition and will be based on a set brief, one to another area of study, and one will be a free composition.
