Music
Aims of the subject:
We hope to engage pupils actively in the process of music study, develop performing skills individually and in groups, develop composing skills to organise musical ideas, broaden musical experience and interests, develop imagination and foster creativity, develop knowledge, understanding and skills needed to communicate effectively as musicians, develop awareness of music technologies and their use in the creation and presentation of music, develop as effective and independent learners with enquiring minds, engage with and appreciate the diverse heritage of music, in order to promote personal, social, intellectual and cultural development.
GCSE Examination Board: Eduqas
Assessment Overview:
The course is divided in to 3 Components:
- Component 1: Performance 30% of the marks (2 performances, 1 solo, 1 in a group)
- Component 2: Composing: 30% of the marks (2 compositions)
- Component 3: Listening and Appraisal exam 40% of the marks (based on 2 set works)
| Year | What will I learn? | Assessment |
| 10 | Performance
Students will work on solo and group performances, developing performance skills Composition Students will explore the skills needed to compose music for different instrumental and/or vocal forces. Students will be introduced to the technical and creative skills required by a composer. Students will be encouraged to explore a range of compositional starting points and investigate a range of elements, techniques and resources for developing and manipulating ideas – and turning them into completed pieces of music. This will include composing melodies with accompaniment, song writing, instrumentation and other composing activities. Free Composition will be completed in Y10 Students will produce one composition that is free, i.e. their own choice. They should use their imagination and skills to compose a piece of music. They can draw inspiration or starting points from the set works and suggested wider listening, as well as their own interests and the world around them. They should consider the role of the audience and/or occasion in their composition. The piece composed by the students may be for any instrument or voice, or combination of instruments and/or voices, and in any style. Listening and Appraisal Students will begin by learning about the elements of music and looking at different types of notation. Students will then begin to learn about 2 areas of study. Musical forms and devices and Ensemble music. As part of Musical forms and devices they will be learning about a set work: · Orchestral Suite No.2 Badinerie by JS Bach They will also be learning about music from: · Baroque · Classical · Romantic · Blues · Jazz · Musical Theatre
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Assessed alongside GCSE assessment Grids
Small exercises are assessed in terms of GCSE grades. Marked out of 36 and must be completed by the end of Y10. Students must produce a score and recording of their composition and complete a progress log, writing their own brief.
Y10 exam at the end of the year. |
| 11 | Performance
Students must give 2 performances. One as a soloist with accompaniment and 1 as part of a group
Composing Composition skills are developed further. Students will be set a composition task by the exam board. There are 4 options to choose from based on the areas of study. They must choose 1.
Listening and Appraisal Students will be learning about music from the final 2 areas of study. Music for Film and Pop Music. As part of Pop music students will be learning about a set work: · Africa by Toto They will also spend time learning about exam technique, answering the long question and dictation.
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Marked out of 72 and usually occurs in March/April of the Y11 year. Students must be recorded and produce a musical score of their performances. This counts for 30% of the final marks.
Marked out of 36 and must be completed by end of March of the Y11 year. Students must produce a score and recording of their composition and progress log.
Mock exam in January Final exam in June |
Extra-curricular opportunities
There are a variety of options open to students. All activities will greatly enhance the musicianship of the students and will certainly improve their chance of getting a higher GCSE grade.
- Deanery Choir
- Deanery Orchestra
- The School Production
- Chamber ensembles
- Rock Bands
- Revision classes at lunch time
- Individual coaching offered on composition
- Individual coaching offered for performance
How you can support your child’s progress
- It is vital that your son/daughter has private instrumental lessons. These are provided either at school or can be organised privately.
- Please encourage wider listening of a variety of music
- Complete and sign practice diaries
- GCSE revision websites
- Check deadlines are met
- Encourage them to attend revision sessions
