Music
Music
GCSE Music is a very exciting and creative course which will help you develop skills in performance, composition, listening and appraising. You will learn about a wide variety of musical cultures, genres and traditions by investigating, analysing and evaluating music and its features and conduct in-depth studies into different musical styles and genres, and put them in a wider context. Students will broaden their musical horizons and understanding with areas of study that inspire and challenge and to take a more holistic view of their knowledge through using practical methods in performance and composition.
Music theory - Refining musical vocabulary and knowledge of:
Musical elements
Time and key signatures, chords and cadences
Musical structures and rhythmical devices
Composition - Developing musical ideas and composing with musical coherence, culminating in their ‘free composition’ submission through the following exercises:
Harmonising melodies
Text setting
Programmatic composition
Appraising - Developing aural skills and musical context through the analysis of the following set works:
Music for a While - Purcell
Star Wars - Williams
Sonata ‘Pathetique’ - Beethoven
Defying Gravity - Schwartz
Samba em Preludio - Spalding
Killer Queen - Queen
Music theory - Extending and deepening knowledge of the musical elements
Composition - In Year 11, students will begin to compose their second piece which is in response to a brief set by the exam board, released at the start of the academic year. The briefs are:
Instrumental Music 1700 - 1820
Vocal Music
Music for Stage and Screen
Fusions
Appraising - Continued development of aural skills and awareness of musical context through the analysis of the following set works:
Brandenburg 5 - Bach
Release - Afro-Celt Sound System
Revision of Year 10 content leading up to the mock exam in February and targeted revision and exam practice, ready for the summer exam.
The GCSE will be assessed by means of three components:
Performing: one solo and one ensemble piece, together worth 30% of the final grade.
Composition: two compositions, one free choice and one to a set brief. Worth 30% of the final grade.
Listening and appraising: 105 minute exam based on four areas of study. Worth 40% of the final grade.
The examination board is Edexcel and the specification number is 1MU0. You can see the full specification here.
This course takes place during the normal school day but pupils are expected to attend the Music Clinic on a regular basis. Music Clinic sessions are provided after school and timings are on the activities list.
Performing skills are essential to the course. Prospective candidates must be at least Grade 3, preferably Grade 4, on an instrument or voice, before the course commences. A good knowledge of music theory is required for this course, of approximately Grade 3 standard.
Students will be supported throughout the course by not only their academic teacher, but their instrumental or vocal teacher, who will work together to ensure the best possible outcome.
We will provide frequent opportunities for performance in our busy extra-curricular programme, as well as in-class performances.
Students will learn how to compose using the Noteflight music notation programme.
If you have any queries about this curriculum, please contact: Miss Kirsty Nimmo, Head of Music, on kn@farlingtonschool.com