A Level AQA Area of Study Guide: Music for Theatre

Whichever areas of study your students choose to answer on in the exam, make sure they are ready with our comprehensive guides to the optional areas of study 2–7! Contextual information on the period and composers are covered, before delving into skills and knowledge on the area of study, plus activities and exam practice are included to allow students to apply their knowledge.

Annotated score extracts accompany the analysis throughout to illustrate key points, while key term definitions reinforce essential knowledge.

Exploration...

  • Contextual information on styles and composers and an introduction to the musical elements provide a firm basis for study
  • Analysis covers all of AQA’s named composers, supported by annotated score excerpts
  • Key term definitions throughout and a full glossary reinforce essential information

… and exam preparation!

  • Challenging activities throughout help students practise and apply their knowledge
  • Concise revision summaries outline each area for easy revision
  • Extension information and tips and practice exam-style questions are provided for Section A short-answer questions and Section C essays to ensure students can apply their knowledge in both formats and be ready for the exam!

Area of Study 4: Music for Theatre

A Study Guide ‘full of detail and depth’ designed to explore the show-stopping works of AQA’s chosen artists for Music for Theatre.

Using the musical elements defined by AQA, this guides analyses each work ‘thoroughly’, with preparation for the exam at centre stage.

What do teachers say about this resource? (11220)

Some great stuff... The music analysis is strong and cross referenced across the resource... It’s AQA and exam focused.

P Tamblyn, Customer & Head of Music

Comprehensive and clearly laid out resources. Very useful indeed... It is linked so clearly to the specification. Resources are easy to use... Helpful for both teacher and students... Clear resources which will enhance your schemes of work.

R Williams, Customer & Music Teacher

The quality of writing is excellent.

The explanations are full of detail and depth.

The analysis is thorough, detailed and will be significant for students in understanding the musical language of each composer.

The author has substantial expertise in terms of subject knowledge and understands the specification clearly. The information provided is totally useful for A Level students and stretches their musical comprehension and their ability to read academic literature/information/analyses of music.

Excellent key word definitions along with use of diagrams to aid understanding.

Exam questions are considerate of the past and specimen papers and enable students to become familiar with the nature of questions.

L Williams, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Good. Covers all the named composers in the specification in detail... It uses musical examples that are different to the ones commonly found in other publications and analysis, giving more scope for teaching... A wide range of contrasting examples to draw on. Pieces analysed in detail... Could be used within lessons or as self-study for students at home.

N Squires, Subject Manager for Music & Peer Reviewer