Welcome to Music A-Level & BTEC

The A level Music course (Eduqas) has 3 components: performing, composing and appraising. Students perform a 10-12 minute recital to a visiting examiner, compose two pieces and study the development of the symphony from 1750-1900, Twentieth century music and jazz.

The BTEC Foundation Diploma in Music offers students the key knowledge and practical skills required for their potential chosen career as a freelance musician either as a performer or as a songwriter/composer or within one of the many varied roles in the music industry.

Over the 2 years you will perform as a soloist and member of an ensemble, put on your own music event at an external venue, develop composing, record production and sequencing skills and learn about the music industry and all its component parts.

Record Production portfolio course – over this 1 year portfolio course students will gain an overview of the history of record production form the 1950’s through to present day. Students learn how to capture audio in a variety of set-ups from ambient recording to close-miking and how to then process this audio in the mixing process to create a master recording. While on the course the students visit local studios to gain greater insight into the professional side of the industry.

Music Theory portfolio course is an excellent choice of study alongside your A level or BTEC Music course and we offer tuition and the opportunity to take exams in both classical and popular theory. A level music students who have not yet taken Grade 5 ABRSM Theory will study this course in their first year alongside A level Music.  BTEC Musicians will study Rock School Popular Music Theory within their BTEC Foundation Diploma course.

Several of our students have successfully auditioned for junior departments of top conservatoires including the Royal Academy and Guildhall, attending weekly lessons there. Students go on to study at a wide range of music conservatoires and universities. In recent years students have gone on to study Music at Cambridge, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester universities, Trinity College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, BIMM and Waterbear College of Music.   

The music department offers a range of weekly enrichment activities including session orchestra, big band, chamber orchestra, percussion ensemble and choir as well as song-writing club. We also host and support pop/rock band rehearsals, jazz ensembles and chamber groups. Our practice rooms are used by both music and non-music students for individual and group practice. The department has a 32 channel recording studio which is accessible to students to work on their own projects. 

Our visiting instrumental teachers include expert professional tutors in a wide range of orchestral instruments, piano, guitar, drums and vocals.

 

Over the past few years BHASVIC music students have been involved in a wide variety of projects including:

• A string quartet composition workshop with Ensemble Reza in which our students’ compositions were performed by professional musicians.  Future composition workshops with this outstanding Sussex-based group are planned for this academic year.
• Our outstanding piano trio were invited to perform in several concerts outside of Bhasvic, including a paid professional performance at the TUC 2019 National Congress
• Vocal workshop with Waterbear College of Music tutor and professional singer Amba Tremain at Retreat Recording Studios
• Students performed original material at a songwriting showcase at Waterbear College of Music
• BTEC Music and Record Production students enjoyed a backstage visit to Florence and the Machine gig  at the Brighton Centre
• Visits from Music Industry professionals including: Universal Music, Virgin, Polydor Records, Melting Vinyl Promotions, Lift Music
• Performances by BHASVIC musicians at several concerts for outstanding Sussex musicians
•  A series of workshops with professional bouzouki player and cellist Pavlos Carvahlo, culminating in a concert in collaboration with other professional musicians and Oathall Community students as part of the Rebetiko Carnival, a celebration of Greek music. 
• A composition workshop in collaboration with the Orchestra of Sound and Light and the University of Sussex Music department culminating in performance at the Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts as part of the Brighton Festival.
• A series of opera workshops with professional singer Becca Leggett, culminating in a performance at the Cafe Culture summer concert 
• Choir, session orchestra and soloists performing at the Music for Youth Regional Festival, held at BHASVIC for the first time this year, 2 of whom were recommended to perform at the National Festival in Birmingham
• Bhasvic students performed at the NEU National conference at the Brighton Centre as a result of their performance at the Music for Youth regional festival.
• BTEC student band gigs at external music venues The Latest Music Bar and The Rialto
• Christmas concert and Cafe Culture summer concert
• BTEC students performed a fund-raising concert for the BSUH – Royal Alexandra Children’s hospital including performing at the hospital for the patients.
• Performances by session orchestra and choir at Open Evenings 
• Solo and band performances at BHASVICTORS, a celebration of student success in Media and Performing Arts
• BTEC students on the judging panel for Sounds in the City, organised by Brighton and Hove Music and Arts