Personal Guide to Traditional Music Qualifications

Introduction

This web page is intending to briefly advise and inform school pupils and college students about the two common types of music courses available in the UK. Please remember that the suggestions and comments have been based from the author's personal experience. These suggestions have the intention to inform people what they should be looking for and/or to be aware of what they should be doing when applying and preparing for the outlined courses. However, this web page should only be used as an informal reference for students and pupils in the UK.

GCSE Music

Normally, most schools and colleges in the UK offer a music qualification which is available for most people, regardless of their musical talents and/or abilities. On the contrary, it is interesting to note that you do not usually need to be at least grade five on an instrument/voice and/or have a sound background in music theory. However, these qualities are usually relevant when aiming for a high grade; e.g. which is between A* and B. From personal experience, most people (regardless of their musical abilities) have normally passed to a C grade standard or above depending how strong and original the candidate's performances and/or compositions are. Nevertheless, a GCSE music qualification is usually useful for people who are intending to study for a GNVQ, BTEC or an ‘A' level in Performing or Creative Arts. If you are really unhappy and/or unsure about your decision for this area then ask for the Head of Music/Creative Arts at the school/college for more information and/or advice.

'A'-level Music

From a personal viewpoint, people who have achieved (at least) a grade five in an instrument and have studied GCSE music are more likely to study an ‘A' level in music. Again, from experience, it is recommended that students have achieved (at least) a grade five in one instrument, and achieved a pass mark from grade five theory. Having pervious experience of working in an orchestra and/or a contemporary music group is advantageous too; especially as ‘A' level music students are more likely to be under frequent pressure to perform more pieces of music to a live setting. But it is rarely noted that GCSE music does not fully assist students to solely prepare for ‘A level music. However, most colleges and schools in the UK allow the use of music auditions and a personal interview, which is conducted with one of the music lecturers/teachers, to ensure that you are suitable enough for the music course which you have applied for. On the contrary, the same practice and guidelines maybe applied for students entering/applying into other various ‘A'-level (related) courses, such as ‘A' level ‘Music Technology' and ‘Music Practice'. If you are really unhappy and/or unsure about your decision for this area then ask for the Head of Music/Creative Arts for more information and/or advice.