Music
Higher
Course Overview
The purpose of the course is to provide a broad practical experience of performing and creating music and to develop related 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 course has an integrated approach to learning and includes a mixture of practical learning, and related understanding of music. Each of the component units of the course are designed to provide progression to the corresponding units at Advanced Higher.
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 one composition lasting between 1 minute and 3 minute 30. Their broad experience of music as performers and listeners will help inform their use of compositional techniques. 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. By engaging in this process they will both develop their creativity and express their individuality.
Music: Understanding 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. They will identify and distinguish the key features of specific music styles and recognise level-specific music concepts in excerpts of music.
Music: Performing As at previous levels candidates will have the opportunity to develop solo and/or group performance skills in one of the following combinations:
Two instruments, at ABRSM Grade 4 standard (or above)
One instrument and voice, at ABRSM Grade 4 standard (or above)
Faculty Principal Teacher
Mrs T MacKay
Assessment Methods
The course is assessed in 3 areas:
Exam - Question Paper (40 marks) - 1 hour
Assignment (30 marks)
Performance in 2 instruments (60 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
While entry is at the discretion of the music department staff, students would normally be expected to have attained:
National 5 Music or be at a performing level on both instruments that is required for Higher music (see requirements below)
Recommended Next Steps in S6
Advanced Higher Music (A/B only)
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