S3 & Senior Phase

What will I study?

Music: Performing Skills Unit

In this unit you will:

• develop performing skills on two selected instruments, or on one selected instrument and voice

• learn how to play music accurately while maintaining the musical flow

• reflect on your own performing skills. 

How will I be assessed?

Your work will be assessed by your teacher on an ongoing basis throughout the course. 

What will I study?

Music is a practical, hands-on subject that develops your creativity and imagination, and your musical skills. You will have the opportunity to perform a variety of music in solo and/or group settings using your voice or your chosen instrument(s).

You will also develop your skills in composing, arranging and improvising music, and learn about the social and cultural factors that influence music.

The course has three compulsory units, plus an added value unit that assess your practical skills.

Music: Performing Skills (6 SCQF credit points)

In this unit you will:

•  develop your performing skills on two selected instruments, or on one selected instrument and voice

•  learn how to perform music accurately while maintaining the musical flow

•  develop your own technical and musical performing skills.

Music: Composing Skills (6 SCQF credit points)

In this unit you will:

• experiment with and use compositional methods and music concepts in imaginative ways when creating your own music   

• reflect on your own creative choices and decisions and develop a basic understanding of how composers develop their ideas and create their music.

Note: Both of these units may be taken with a Scottish Context option, which contributes towards the Scottish Studies Award.

Understanding Music (6 SCQF credit points)

In this unit you will:

• develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of music concepts and music literacy

• learn how to identify the distinguishing features of specific music styles, and how to recognise music concepts in excerpts of music

• learn how to understand and recognise common music signs and symbols used in music notation.

Added Value Unit: Music Performance (6 SCQF credit points)

In this unit you will:

•  prepare and perform a programme of music in a solo setting and/or as part of a group.

How will I be assessed?

Your work will be assessed by your teacher on an ongoing basis throughout the course. 

You must pass all three units to gain the course qualification.

What will I study?

Music is a practical, hands-on subject that develops your creativity and imagination, and your musical skills. You will have the opportunity to perform a variety of music in solo and/or group settings using your voice or your chosen instrument(s).

You will also develop your skills in composing, arranging and improvising music, and learn about the social and cultural factors that influence music.

You will:

• experiment with and use music concepts in creative ways, within a range of compositional methods, as you compose original music and self-reflect on your creative choices.

• through listening, develop knowledge and understanding of a variety of music styles, level-specific concepts, signs and symbols used in music notation

• develop your performing skills on two selected instruments, or on one selected instrument and voice through regular practice and self-reflection.

How will I be assessed?

Course Assessment

The course assessment has four components totalling 130 marks:

• Component 1: question paper – worth 40 marks (scaled to 35 marks towards final total)

• Component 2: assignment – worth 30 marks (scaled to 15)

• Component 3: performance - instrument 1 – worth 30 marks (scaled to 25)

• Component 4: performance - instrument 2 – worth 30 marks (scaled 25).

For the performance component, you will perform a programme of music that is set by your school or college, either using two selected instruments or one selected instrument and voice. This will be assessed by a visiting SQA assessor.

For the assignment component (which has 2 parts, composing and reviewing the process) you will be asked to compose one piece of music and review the composing process.

The question paper will be set and marked externally by the SQA.

The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across all course assessment components.

The course assessment is graded A-D.

What will I study?

The course combines practical learning and understanding of music. You will draw upon your understanding of music styles and concepts when performing and creating music. You will experiment with and use music concepts in creative ways, within a range of compositional methods, as you compose original music and self-reflect on your creative choices.

Through listening, you will develop knowledge and understanding of a variety of music styles, level-specific concepts, signs and symbols used in music notation. You will also develop your performing skills on two selected instruments, or on one selected instrument and voice, through regular practice and self-reflection.

How will I be assessed?

The course assessment has four components totalling 130 marks:

• Component 1: question paper – worth 40 marks (scaled to 35 towards the overall mark total)

• Component 2: assignment – worth 30 marks (scaled to 15)

• Component 2: performance (instrument 1) – worth 30 marks (scaled to 25)

• Component 3: performance (instrument 2) – worth 30 marks (scaled to 25).

For the assignment component, you will explore and develop musical ideas to create music. It has two parts: composing once piece of music (20 marks), and reviewing the composing process (10 marks).

For the performance component you will be required to perform either solo or in a group setting, and perform a minimum of 2 contrasting pieces on each of your 2 selected 

instruments, or instrument and voice.

The performance component will be assessed by an SQA visiting assessor.

The question paper will be set and externally marked by SQA.

The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across course assessment.

The course assessment is graded A-D.

What will I study?

The course consists of three areas of study.

Performing Skills

You will:

• develop a range of advanced performing skills appropriate to your two selected instruments, or to your one selected instrument and voice

• through regular practice and reflection, you will develop and creatively refine your performing skills while exploring a variety of musically and technically challenging music.

Composing Skills

You will:

• develop a range of advanced skills in creating music

• experiment with and apply a range of compositional techniques and devices in refined and sophisticated ways when creating your own original music, drawing on your understanding of composers’ work and approaches and the creative process.  

Understanding and Analysing Music

You will:

• through listening, develop your understanding of music styles, music concepts and musical literacy

• work independently, demonstrating aural skills and an in-depth understanding of music and music concepts when investigating, analysing and commenting on sections of musical movements or works.

How will I be assessed?

Course Assessment

The course assessment has four components totalling 120 marks:

• Component 1: question paper – worth 40 marks (scaled to 35 towards overall exam total)

• Component 2: assignment – worth 20 marks (scaled to 15)

• Component 3: performance - Instrument 1 – worth 30 marks (scaled to 25)

• Component 4 option: performance - Instrument 2 (course code C850 77) – worth 30 marks (scaled to 25) OR

• Component 4 option: portfolio (course code C878 77) - worth 30 marks (scaled to 25).

Component 1 - Question Paper. You will demonstrate your conceptual knowledge and understanding of music by responding to music excerpts and an associated range of questions in sophisticated and challenging musical contexts.

Component 2 - Assignment. You will compose or arrange one piece of music, reivewing the creative process and analysing a chosen piece of music.

Component 3 - Performance Instrument 1 (instrument or voice): This is mandatory. This can be performed solo or in a group setting.

Component 4 - Option: Performance Instrument 2. You will perform on a contrasting instrument (or voice) to that of Component 3.

Component 4 - Option: Portfolio (course code C878 77). You will explore and develop musical ideas. This has two parts, where you will compose and/or arrange music, and review the creative process of your composition and/or arrangement.

The question paper will be set and externally marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

Performance components 3 and 4 will be assessed by a visiting SQA Assessor.

The portfolio component will be externally marked by the SQA.

The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across course assessment.

The course assessment is graded A-D.