Music

OPTIONS - TWO

Music is a central part of life; all of us hear music and are impacted by music on a daily basis.

Music is an academic subject of tremendous value in later life. It is a practical subject – a specific skill – which enables young adults to stand out from the crowd. As well as developing the confidence to perform in public, the ability to work independently on ideas is encouraged and developed. Such traits are central to success at university. An open mind, a desire to work independently and a willingness to engage with wholeschool musical activities are essential traits for success in this qualification. If you have studied Music in Year 9 you are very well placed to take the GCSE course. However, there is no requirement to have studied Music in Year 9 to take GCSE Music. Playing an instrument to approximately Grade 5 standard is useful for the 30% performance component. WHAT COULD I DO NEXT WITH MUSIC?

THE COURSE IS DIVIDED INTO 3 UNITS:

GCSE COURSE OUTLINE

Component 1: Performing Music This is a coursework unit and accounts for 30% of the total GCSE. Students perform a solo performance and an ensemble performance of around ABRSM Grade 5 standard. The pieces can be recorded at any point in the 2nd year of study and can be re-recorded, if required. Component 2: Composing Music This is a coursework unit and accounts for 30% of the total GCSE. Students must compose two compositions – one from a brief set by the exam board and one free choice composition. The pieces must total at least 3 minutes and may be written in any musical style. Component 3: Appraising Music This unit makes up the remaining 40% of the qualification and is a 105 minute written exam at the end of the course. The examination paper is in two sections: Section A is based on 8 set works (from 4 Areas of Study), Aural Dictation and one unfamiliar piece of music. Section B is a response in the form of an extended answer to one familiar and one unfamiliar piece of music, creating a comparison essay. The set works for the qualification are listed below.

Music is a specific skill that few people have truly mastered. As such, it adds diversity to your subject list. Further, it is a skill which requires independent learning on open-ended tasks; these are essential skills that universities want to see. Musical study allows for a greater appreciation of historical events and the arts in general. Lastly, listening to music is an absolute joy; so is studying it!

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?

Please talk to Mr Ford or Dr Parsons if you have any further questions.

AOS 1 AOS 2 AOS 3 AOS 4

Instrumental music Vocal Music 1700 - 1820 and Screen Music for Stage Fusions

J S Bach H Purcell Schwartz Afro Celt Sound System

3rd Movement from Music for a while Defying Gravity Release Brandenburg Concerto 5

L van Beethoven Queen J Williams Esperanza Spalding

1st Movement Killer Queen Main title (from Star Wars Samba Em Preludio from Piano Episode IV: A New Hope) Sonata no. 8 in C minor