Music
Welcome to Music in the Sixth Form at CHS
Music in the Sixth Form at CHS.movWelcome to Music
I'd like to introduce myself; my name is Andrew Pettitt and I am Director of Music at CHS and I wish you a warm welcome to the Music Department here at CHS.
Our home is in the A Block where you will find three classrooms, ten practice rooms and the main Music Hall where many of our internal performances take place.
We follow the Edexcel A Level Music syllabus.
Start by watching the videos to the right to learn more about why I think you will love studying A level Music at CHS and/or getting involved by having instrumental lessons and joining a co-curricular ensemble or choir.
Life as a Sixth Form Musician
There's a whole host of musical opportunities to take part in at CHS. Whether you enjoy rock and pop or more traditional styles of music there is something for instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers alike.
To discover all the many activities available as part of the Music Department at CHS watch the short film to the right >>
Don't just take our word for it...
<< Hear from one of our past Sixth Form pupils.
High Performance Programme
An offer of a place on the High Performance Programme in Music is subject to the pupil being offered a place in Sixth Form and showing exceptional promise or achieving a high level of performance on one or more instruments/voice. Typically applicants would be working towards Grade 7 (Distinction) at Year 11.
Full details on the programme can be found here.
Beyond the curriculum
As well as traditional and classical music concerts, there are also a number of rock and pop opportunities; each March all musicians are invited to take part in G!G, CHS's own student-run event with opportunities both on stage and behind the scenes.
Lower Sixth
Students will cover a number of the set works and develop their aural skills required for the written paper which makes makes up 40% of the qualification.
Students will work with both academic staff and their instrumental/vocal teacher to help them prepare for the numerous performing opportunities. Performing opportunities will be both informal class assessments but also public concerts.
The free composition coursework will commence in Year 12 but this composition will not be completed until Year 13.
Students will develop their compositional and theoretical understanding to support their free composition coursework. In addition to work on their free composition students will progress through technical exercises to prepare for completing the Bach Chorale technical exercises.
Students will perform as part of academic lessons each term to monitor progress but will also have the opportunity to perform in the Year 12 concert in the summer term.
Music A level students will be expected to be part of at least one co-curricular ensemble or choir to aid their musical development.
Music A level students will be given the opportunity to attend live concerts at the Bridgewater Hall and The Lowry to, again, aid their musical development.
Upper Sixth
Students will cover further set works and develop higher level aural skills in preparation for the final written paper.
Students will decide on their final recital programme which is a minimum of 8 minutes and will be recorded in March of the year of certification.
The free composition coursework will be completed in Year 13 and further compositional technical work will be completed to ensure pupils are proficient in harmonising a melody in the style of J.S. Bach under controlled condition in April of the year of certification.
Music A level students will be expected to continue to be part of at least one co-curricular ensemble or choir to further aid their musical development. This will include performing in concerts at the Bridgewater Hall and the RNCM.
Music A level students will continue to be given the opportunity to attend live concerts at the Bridgewater Hall and The Lowry to, again, aid their musical development.
FAQ
Do I need to have a passion for performing on an instrument or voice?
Performing on an instrument doesn't necessarily need to be your main passion and reason for taking A level Music but you will need to be around a minimum of a Grade 6 standard by the time you start the course with a view to taking further grades as you progress through the course.
Are there any GCSE requirements?
Ideally pupils should have taken GCSE Music to have an understanding of analysis and composition at GCSE level however if you're a strong performer with a good understanding of theory then get in touch.
I'm concerned that the music that you need to study at A level is just classical music.
The styles of music you cover at A level range from The Beatles to Stravinsky and from Jazz to Film Music. There is something for everybody!
I have not taught a single A level pupil over the years that haven't admitted they now have a passion for a style of music they thought they didn't like!
What kind of music do I have to compose?
The main composition for the coursework is a free composition which means you can literally compose anything you like. Of course it has to have advanced techniques in it but you can compose anything from a symphony to a pop song to a big band piece.
There are also technical composition exercises that will help you improve your technical compositional skills.
What opportunities are there at CHS to help me progress as a musician outside of the classroom?
An extensive Co-curricular programme to suit all tastes!
Opportunities to see live performances of all styles and repertoire at venues such as the Bridgewater Hall and The Lowry.
The chance to have instrumental or vocal lessons with our visiting music teacher team.
The Music Team.
Andrew Pettitt - Director of Music
Adam Hall - Assistant Director of Music
Please contact music@chschool.co.uk if you have any questions about studying Music at A level.
