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INTRODUCTION
Music is a subject that challenges both creatively and academically, and stretches far beyond the ability to play an instrument. When studying the Cambridge IGCSE Music syllabus, learners listen to, perform and compose music, encouraging aesthetic and emotional development, self-discipline and, importantly, creativity. As a result, learners enhance their appreciation and enjoyment of music, an achievement that forms an ideal foundation for future study and enhances lifelong musical enjoyment.
Unlike other exam boards, Cambridge IGCSE Music has only one set work taken from the Western Classical canon and this changes annually. However the course is very broad and students will develop an understanding of the changing musical styles from the late 17th century to today. Each style is placed in its historical and cultural context, and learners are encouraged to be perceptive, sensitive and critical when listening. Students also study a wide variety of world music genres, with one region being chosen each year for a more in-depth investigation. This helps to understand differing cultural attitudes to music and its meaning within a cultural context.
IGCSE Course content
Students study the IGCSE Music course administered through Cambridge International. The course is divided into three components - Listening, Performing and Composing.
Students are given the opportunity to:
listen to and learn about music from a wide range of historical periods and major world cultures;
develop their skills in performing music, both individually and in a group with other musicians;
develop their skills in composing music in a style of their own choice;
The Cambridge IGCSE Music syllabus is designed to achieve the following aims:
enable candidates to acquire and consolidate a range of basic musical skills, knowledge and understanding, through the activities listening, performing and composing;
help candidates develop a perceptive and critical response to the main historical periods and styles of Western music
help candidates to recognise and understand the music of selected non-Western traditions, and thus to form an appreciation of cultural similarities and differences;
provide a foundation for the development of an informed appreciation of music;
provide a foundation for further study in music at a higher level.
Course assessment
All candidates take three components. There is a mixture of external examinations and coursework assessment tasks for IGCSE Music. Both the performing and compositional units of coursework are internally marked and externally moderated. Candidates will be eligible for grades A* to G
Component 1
Listening (40%)
Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes
Candidates respond to questions based on extracts of music in a written examination. This paper is marked externally by Cambridge International examiners.
Section A. Unprepared Western Repertoire taken from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern eras. [16 marks]
Section B. World Music selected from African and Arab, Latin American, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Indonesian traditions. This section will also contain a more detailed question on the World Focus topic. For 2022 exams the World Focus topic will be Sub-Saharan African music and for 2023 it will be Indian music. [22 marks]
Section C Unprepared analysis of a single extract with a skeleton score. This will include a simple rhythmic and/or melodic dictation. As with section A, candidates may be required to identify the period of the music and/or suggest a likely composer.
Section D - Students will have prepared an in depth analysis of one Set Work (from a choice of two). They will be provided with a skeleton score of the listening extract(s) and will be expected to answer questions on any aspect of the music in the extract(s). There may also be questions on the music which comes before or after the extract itself.
Set works for examination in 2022
EITHER
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto no.4
OR
Haydn Symphony no. 100 Movements 1 & 2
Set Works for examination in 2023
EITHER
Haydn Symphony no. 100 Movements 3 & 4
OR
Brahms: Academic Festival Overture
Component 2
Performing (30%) Internally marked/ externally moderated coursework
Solo Performing (15%). Either sing or play one or two contrasting solo performances (which should be on the same instrument).
Ensemble Performance (15%). Either sing or play one or two contrasting ensemble performances (which should both be on the same instrument but does not need to be the same instrument as that offered for individual performing).
The total playing time should be between 4 and 10 minutes.
Component 3
Composing (30%)
Two compositions are to be submitted, written for different instruments and/or voices, which must be recorded.
Composition 1 (15%) : Must be written in a Western, tonal style and must demonstrate the basic principles of traditional harmonic language. This composition must be fully notated using staff notation and the score must be submitted with the recording.
Composition 2 (15%) : May be in any style and may be notated in any form of notation appropriate to the music. However, if staff notation is not used, the chosen notation must show the duration of intended sounds and alternate notation should not be used if the music is capable of being notated in staff notation.
Special Features
Any student who wishes to undertake IGCSE Music should ideally be already studying an instrument or voice even though this is not essential during year 9. Instrumental or vocal study is essential during years 10 and 11 to prepare fully for the performance component but it also opens the door to the full range of activities offered in school. The course suits a range of students who enjoy listening to, creating and performing music.
Additional features may include attending performances of live concerts and masterclasses, access to music technology (including recording and sound equipment) and performance opportunities in a variety of ensembles and venues.
Links to A-level
The achievement of a B grade or higher in IGCSE Music is a good indicator of success at A-level.
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