Schools have invested in the necessary studio equipment

Edexcel is the only board that does the music technology course. Schools have been investing thousands of pounds in studio equipment in order to teach it.

The board had said the courses were too complex to be sustainable. But it is now in talks about continuing them.

The band Arctic Monkeys are among those who took the music technology A-level.

In a letter, Edexcel had said it was not going to renew its accreditation because "the complexity of the current assessment model and constraints of the new subject criteria have made it impossible to produce a sustainable specification which will be attractive to schools and colleges".

It would focus instead on its BTec qualification in music and music technology "which has proved popular in our centres".

'Stunned'

But people posting in the online forums of the Times Educational Supplement are critical of what appears to them to be a commercial move by Edexcel's owner, the company Pearson.

Congratulations to the indie band Arctic Monkeys. The ex-Barnsley students went straight into the studio having completed Edexcel's music technology A-levels Edexcel press release

They say GCEs (A-levels) and BTecs are very different types of qualification, not simple alternatives.

Teacher and writer Andy Collyer was one of the authors of Edexcel's music technology syllabus and principal examiner for some years.

"I was stunned and appalled when I heard the news of the demise of these two subjects," he said.

Having taught both A-levels and BTecs in further education colleges, he said some students required the discipline of an A-level and some enjoyed the relative freedom and course structure of a BTec National Diploma or Certificate.

"Many centres, students and parents still see the GCE as the 'gold standard' and I cannot see schools moving over to BTec," he said.

"Pearson must not be allowed to perpetrate this cost-cutting, ill-conceived nonsense."

Another contributor is an examiner for AS-level arranging in music technology.

"My school has spent a lot of money on a new studio and music ICT rooms on the basis of this A-level being introduced.

"Given the school's academic sixth form, the subject being available at BTec only is not going to go down well with the school. I feel quite betrayed."

'Support'

Edexcel's chief executive, Jerry Jarvis, has agreed to meet senior examiners to look for a compromise.

In a statement, the board said: "Students starting courses in 2006 and 2007 would be unaffected by any changes, with exams continuing to January 2010.

"However, in view of the enormous support being shown for our existing qualifications, and the encouragement that we have received, we have resumed the process of discussion with all parties to seek a solution that meets the needs of our centres and their students."

A spokeswoman for the exams regulator, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), said it recognised there were concerns.

"Edexcel has approached us and we are happy to discuss a way forward with them as soon as possible."

A spokesperson for the Department for Education and Skills said: "We are aware that Edexcel and the QCA are in discussion and we will be following developments closely."

Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Sarah Teather said the Edexcel website still boasted that members of the Arctic Monkeys studied music technology at A-level.

"Edexcel should reflect on the success of that band and reconsider their proposal to close the door on future rock stars, technicians and composers," she said.

"I hope the glare of publicity will make them consult on the issue more widely and come to a less abrupt decision."