Music

MUSIC GCSE

Introduction

GCSE is a popular option choice at BCCS and students who choose the subject come from a range of musical backgrounds. There is a large coursework element and students must be prepared to be organised and work on coursework outside of the lesson where appropriate. It is highly recommended that students either have instrumental lessons or can play or sing a piece of music confidently all the way through. While it is not essential that students read music at the start of the course, an element of reading music is involved in the exam so students have to be willing to learn. 

Click pictures below to watch a video to find out more about Music and to to read more about careers linked with this option.

MUSIC GCSE

Aim

• Enable students to engage actively in the study of music, both theoretical and practical

• Develop and challenge musical skills and interests, including the ability to make music individually and in groups

• Enable and inspire students to be able to develop a more advanced and personal compositional style 

• Enable students to understand and appreciate a range of different kinds of music

• Develop broader life skills and attributes, including critical and creative thinking, aesthetic sensitivity, emotional awareness, cultural understanding, self-discipline, self-confidence and self-motivation

Course Details

UNIT 1  Performing

Weighting (%) 30% of the GCSE (coursework)

Details Recorded throughout the course with a final recital concert in the spring term of year 11 

Students perform a solo and an ensemble performance on any instrument and in any style. The pieces must be different and must total four minutes in length.

It is assessed on technique, expression and interpretation, accuracy and fluency.

Marks are scaled upon the difficulty of the piece chosen for assessment.

UNIT 2 Composition

Weighting (%) 30% of the GCSE (coursework)

Compositions are completed during the course and are submitted in the spring term of year 11

Details Students follow a course in ‘how to compose’ at the start of year 10. MuseScore and SoundTrap software are used to support this coursework.

Composition One: a free composition

Composition Two: a composition to a brief set by the exam board (linked to the area of study)

UNIT 3  Appraising

Weighting (%) 40% Written exam (1 hour 45 minutes) 

Details An examination in two sections. 

Section A

Six questions on 12 set works studied during the course. These are a collection of music pieces from different styles, genres and cultures.

One dictation exercise (writing out music by ear)

One question on an unfamiliar piece (a skeleton score is given)

Section B

An essay comparing two pieces of music; one set work and one unknown. Scores are given and extracts are played.

The set works can be found in the specification on the Edexcel website

Commitment

Most resources will be supplied by the class teacher and kept in a ring binder which students will need to bring to the start of the course. Books will be provided for notes and classwork. Students are encouraged to provide their own anthology of music and details are given at the start of the course. We will use some specific textbooks written for the course and a number of key websites. Homework is set weekly to support the written aspect of the course.

While having instrumental/vocal lessons is not essential to this course, students will be expected to rehearse an instrument or voice regularly for their performing coursework. In order to be successful students should be able to play or sing a one-minute piece of music fluently and being roughly grade 2 / grade 3 standard is usually a good starting point at the beginning of year 10. 

While there are practical components to the course, there are essay based questions in the listening part of the exam. Good organisation is key in this aspect of the course as is a willingness to listen and respond to a wide range of musical styles.

It is expected that all GCSE candidates are active members of at least one school ensemble and it is strongly suggested that all will sing in at least one of the school choirs.

Exam Board: Edexcel

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/music-2016.html 

Contact details 

Mrs Gleed