Music
Music at The Perse Sixth Form combines academic study, creative work and practical performance within a single, highly rewarding qualification. Students develop as performers, composers and informed listeners while exploring music from a wide range of traditions, periods and cultures. Alongside preparing for A level Music, they gain the creative, analytical and collaborative skills that provide excellent preparation for university and a wide range of future careers.
Developing musicianship and musical understanding
A level Music combines creativity with academic rigour, encouraging students to engage with sophisticated musical concepts including harmony, form, orchestration and musical context. Through performance, composition and critical listening, students develop a deeper understanding of how music reflects the societies and cultures in which it was created.
Students benefit from expert specialist teaching and a curriculum that balances technical knowledge with creative exploration, enabling them to grow as both musicians and independent thinkers.
Learning beyond the classroom
Music at The Perse Sixth Form extends far beyond the curriculum. Students can perform in around 70 ensembles, including orchestras, choirs, jazz groups, chamber ensembles, wind bands and specialist instrumental groups, providing opportunities for musicians of all interests and specialisms.
The School’s vibrant programme of concerts, recitals and competitions gives students regular opportunities to perform both within the Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre and at prestigious external venues such as Saffron Hall and Ely Cathedral.
The department also organises concert visits that enrich students’ musical understanding. Recent trips have included performances by the Aurora Orchestra at The Apex and the Academy of Ancient Music at West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge. Students can also take part in the biennial cultural visit to Vienna, alongside A level Art and German students, exploring one of Europe’s most influential musical and cultural centres.
University preparation and future pathways
Music develops creativity, analytical thinking, discipline, resilience, communication, teamwork and leadership. Through performance, composition and musical analysis, students learn to combine artistic expression with intellectual rigour, making Music excellent preparation for a wide range of university courses.
While many Perse musicians go on to study Music at leading universities including Cambridge, Oxford, Durham and Birmingham, others successfully pursue degrees in subjects such as Medicine, Economics and the sciences, demonstrating the breadth of transferable skills developed through musical study.
Recent highlights
Music is one of The Perse’s flagship curricular strengths. In 2025, every GCSE and A level Music student achieved the highest possible grade, with Grade 9 at GCSE and A* at A level.
In 2026, the annual Perse Musician of the Year competition attracted 332 entries, culminating in a grand final featuring 22 outstanding performers. Senior ensembles also performed at Saffron Hall in Gloria! The Perse School in Concert, presenting a programme including works by Vaughan Williams, Dvořák, Poulenc, Herbie Hancock and Rossano Galante—a fitting reflection of the breadth, ambition and excellence that characterise Music at The Perse Sixth Form.
Assessment details
The two non-examined components (performance and composition) together are worth 60% and are completed during the year of examination. The examined component is worth 40% and takes place at the end of the Upper Sixth.
The examining board is OCR.