Music

Course Overview

Higher Music provides a broad practical experience of performing and creating music and develops related knowledge and understanding.

Performing:

Learners will develop performing skills in solo and/or group settings on two selected instruments or one instrument and voice. The minimum standard of piece to be performed is ABRSM Grade 4 (or equivalent).

Composing:

Learners will create original music using compositional methods and music concepts.

Understanding Music:

Learners will broaden their knowledge and undertanding of music and musical literacy by listening to music and identifying music signs, symbols and concepts.

Homework

You will receive a small amount of listening and literacy based homework and will be expected to rehearse your instruments regularly between classes either at home or within the department after school or at lunch times. You will be expected to prepare accordingly for end of unit assessments and complete composition work between lessons.

Assessment Approaches

Course assessment at Higher:

• Composing Assignment – 30 marks (15%)

• Course Assessment: Performance – 60 marks (50%)

• Question Paper: 40 marks (35%)

The performance component will be assessed by a visiting examiner in late February/early March and learners must prepare a 12 minute performance on their two instruments or one instrument and voice. The performance time on either of the two selected instruments, or instrument and voice, must be a minimum of four minutes within the overall twelve minute programme. Learners must play a minimum of two contrasting pieces on each instrument. For the question paper learners must sit an exam which demonstrates an ability to recognise and understand musical concepts, signs and symbols. The question paper will be conducted in centres under SQA external examination conditions. It is set and marked by the SQA. For the composing assignment learners will have to create their own piece of original music, outline the process they went through and evaluate it.