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Music Pre-U

The Cambridge Pre-U course in Music is an exceptionally well-devised syllabus that has a number of educational advantages above the courses offered by A-level boards. The core areas of historical understanding, performance and composition are thoroughly covered through an unbroken five-and-a-half term course. This means that students’ skills will be able to develop without the interruption of the AS exam term in the first year of study. This is a particular feature of the Pre-U which has been met with great enthusiasm by the influential Russell group of universities, as the education students receive will better prepare them for higher education.

There is scope for great breadth and depth of study in the Pre-U course, and the components are inter-linked in a logical and educationally productive way. The topics available to students are fresh and exciting, and the entire syllabus is devised with ‘the music itself’ firmly in mind. Students will gain a broad understanding of the shifting cultural contexts within which a variety of music has come into being and in this way the course is truly cross-curricular and enriching.

Candidates are expected to submit coursework submissions in performance and directed composition/stylistic techniques, as well as a personal study project that can take the form of a dissertation, advanced recital, free composition or music technology project. Candidates sit a 2 hour stylistic techniques examination in addition to the work they complete during the course.

Topics of historical study are contained within three broad areas, as follows:
1) The Concerto in the Late Baroque and Classical periods (including issues in performance practice and interpretative analysis of recordings);
2) Vocal Music in the Romantic Period;
3) Modernism in France – prescribed work Stravinsky Rite of Spring.
Candidates’ knowledge and understanding of these topics will be assessed in a final written examination, lasting 3 hours.

It is expected that students opting to follow the Pre-U Music course at Leweston will take an active role, wherever possible, in the extra-curricular musical life of the school, and they must dedicate themselves to developing their instrumental/vocal skills throughout the Sixth Form.

Music Pre-U

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