Music
Advanced Higher
Course Overview
The purpose of the course is to provide a broad practical experience of performing and creating music and to develop knowledge and a greater understanding of music. Course activities allow learners to work independently or in collaboration with others, and can help learners to plan and organise, to make decisions and to take responsibility for their own learning.
The skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed in Advanced Higher Music Course are:
performing musically and technically demanding music in solo and/or group programmes
using problem solving, planning and evaluation skills when developing and refining performing skills
experimenting with and using a variety of compositional techniques in creating a composition
analysis of composers’ use of concepts and factors influencing the development of their music
in-depth knowledge of a range of music concepts, musical literacy and music styles
preparing and performing a programme of music of an appropriate level
demonstrating aural perception and discrimination
Faculty Principal Teacher
Mrs T MacKay
Units
Music: Composing Candidates at this level will have the opportunity to build competence in handling a wide range of compositional techniques which they will use to produce a composition lasting between 1 minute and 4 minutes 30. This area of the course presents candidates with a unique opportunity to explore musical ideas, to solve problems and to make personal decisions about style, the selection and deployment of performance forces, and the use of compositional devices. When composing or creating their own original music, learners will be required to investigate the different ways composers develop ideas and music, before beginning to explore and experiment and develop their own ideas and music. By engaging in this process they will both develop their creativity and express their individuality.
Music: Understanding/Analysing Music The course provides scope to listen to a variety of music and to develop discriminatory awareness of an increasing range of musical and stylistic concepts. In this, as in other units of the course, candidates have the opportunity to develop musical literacy, demonstrating their ability to relate music heard to notated scores.
Music: Performing Option As at previous levels candidates will have the opportunity to develop their performance skills in one of the following combinations:
Two instruments, at Grade 5 standard (or above)
One instrument and voice, at Grade 5 standard (or above)
Performances will be of longer duration than at previous levels and will include works which make increased technical and musical demands. Learners will, through regular practice and critical reflection and evaluation, develop their technical and musical performing skills.
Music: Portfolio Option Learners can opt to do the Portfolio option in which candidates would compose 2 pieces of music which last at least 6 minutes in total, in exchange for performing on a second instrument.
Assessment
The course is assessed in 4 areas:
Exam - Question Paper (40 marks) - 1 hour
Assignment (20 marks)
Performance in 2 instruments (60 marks)*
Portfolio (30 marks)
*Performances will be of longer duration than at previous levels and will include works which make increased technical and musical demands. Learners will, through regular practice and critical reflection and evaluation, develop their technical and musical performing skills.
Entry Requirements
This course is restricted to students who have already passed Higher Music, usually at grade A or B.
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