Saint Augustine’s

Catholic High School

And 6th Form

A Level

Music

A Level Music taster sessionThe music course consists of:

A Level Music taster task

Listen to the music from Batman Returns (link below), a

film released in the 1990s. The music by the composer

Danny Elfman who also wrote the music for many other

films.

You Tube music score:

Batman Returns – Birth of a Penguin part 1

Music from

Batman Returns

Listen to the music from

Batman Returns (link

below), a film released in

the 1990s. This set work is

from the Film Music area

of study.

The music is by the

composer Danny Elfman

who also wrote the music

for many other films.

You Tube music

score:

Batman Returns – Birth

of a Penguin part 1

A Level Music taster task

Like in GCSE, music is analysed through a knowledge of

the musical elements.

Listen again to Birth of a Penguin. Write down anything

you hear under these headings:

• Context

• Structure

• Performing forces

• Melody

• Texture

• Harmony and Tonality

• Rhythm, Metre and Tempo

A Level Music taster

task

Watch the you tube below. The music

appears during the opening credits

and the introduction to the film

which depicts the birth and

abandonment of a child who will later

become the supervillain Penguin.

How does the composer create the

correct atmosphere for the film. Write

down 4 ways in which the musical

elements are used to emphasis the

mood of opening scene.

Batman Returns (1992): Birth

Of The Penguin/Official Main

Titles - [REMASTERED] - [HD]

- YouTube

Saint Augustine’s

Catholic High School

And 6th Form

ENRICHMENT

Music and

Performing Arts

enrichment is a

big part of Saint

Augustine’s and

directly feeds

into A level

coursework.

Saint Augustine’s

Catholic High School

And 6th Form

Involvement in

groups such as

the Choir teach

you about 4 part

harmony, texture

and melodic

structure, as well

as other styles of

music.

Saint Augustine’s

Catholic High School

And 6th Form

There are many

shows each year

all with a

different focus,

giving you the

opportunity to

develop your

performance

skills.

Saint Augustine’s

Catholic High School

And 6th Form

Each year

students have the

opportunity to go

on tour to a

European

country.

The school

band perform

Soul and

Motown music

and perform

throughout the

year.

Musicians

support the

Performing

Arts students

in school

productions.

The department

has a reputation

for innovative

and high quality

performance

opportunities

Why Study A Level MusicA highly respected qualification that develops

several key areas. Analytical skills, research skills,

Creative skills, Interpretive skills…

Job RolesMusician

Sound engineer

Music Therapist

Teacher

Composer (video games, adverts, film, TV)

Other roles in the media