Subject Overview:

The CCS Music course provides students with the opportunity to continue to develop their musical skills in the areas of performance, composition and musical analysis/ listening and appraising. The course enables students to consolidate existing, and gain new musical skills, knowledge and understanding, combining theory and practical musical sessions in an integrated approach.

Students will develop a perceptive and critical understanding of the main historical periods and styles of Western music. They will also learn to recognise the musical features of a range of non-Western musical traditions and through this develop and understanding of both cultural and musical similarities and differences.

The CCS music course is ideal for students who wish to continue their musical studies further, providing an excellent pathway to the IBDP Music Course.

Students wishing to take this course should have prior experience on a musical instrument and / or voice, and a basic understanding of traditional music notation. If students are unsure whether or not they have an appropriate musical foundation to do well in the course, please consult with our music teacher.

It is strongly recommended that students following the CCS Music course also receive individual instrumental or vocal tuition.

Students following the CCS Music course are required to adhere to a regular vocal / instrumental practice schedule. It will not be possible to do well in the course without committing to focused individual practice sessions three times a week, 45 minutes per session.

Ongoing Assessment:

Students’ progress is monitored on an ongoing basis through various methods in class, including written listening assessments, performances and composition tasks.

In-School Assessment

1. Listening (40%) Students sit a written exam, commenting on recordings of musical extracts at the end of Year 11, approximately 1hr 15mins in length.

2. Performing (30%) Students are required to submit recordings of two performances – one ensemble and one solo. Final recordings are made and submitted to the exam board in Term 3 of Year 11. 3. Composing (30%) Students are required to submit two contrasting musical compositions.