GCSE Music

Subject Leader - Mr A Leach

Specification

Eduqas—GCSE Music 

Do you play an instrument, sing, rap, beatbox, DJ, or produce music? The GCSE Music course will develop your appreciation for music through active involvement in performing, composing, and listening. Gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required for further study, enjoyment, and career opportunities. Join the Showbie code for more information, including exemplary performances and compositions: 2EVBV.

You will study

Component 1: Performing

• 30% of qualification

• Total duration of performances: 4-6 minutes

• Two pieces, one of which must be an ensemble performance

• Internally marked, externally moderated

Your two performances can be on any instrument or voice, including rap, beatbox, DJing, or music production. To achieve full marks the standard must be Grade 3 or harder, but you don’t need to have or do any graded exams. You will be expected to practice regularly and prepare for each performance assessment. It is highly recommended that you seek specialist tuition in your instrument/voice if you don’t already. We understand that performing in front of others is not for everybody, so your final performances can be to just your teacher if you would prefer!

Component 2: Composing

• 30% of qualification

• Total duration of compositions: 3-6 minutes 

• Internally marked, externally moderated 

Two compositions will be submitted in the Spring of Year 11. One of which must be in response to a brief chosen from four options given by the exam board, each one linked to a different area of study. The briefs will be released during the first week of September in Year 11. The second composition is a free composition for which learners set their own brief and can be in any musical style. Candidates will mostly need to work on this alone. An ability to stay focused and get things done is, therefore, an important asset.

Component 3: Appraising

• 40% of qualification

• Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes (approximately)

• Eight questions in total, two on each area of study:

1. Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices

2. Area of study 2: Music for Ensemble

3. Area of study 3: Film Music

4. Area of study 4: Popular Music

• Music is played out loud in the exam and is mainly unfamiliar, testing your understanding of musical elements, context, and musical language. There will also be two questions about your set works: “Africa” by Toto, and “Badinerie” by Bach, which you learn about throughout the course. Questions are mainly multiple-choice and short answers, with only one longer response worth 10 marks. 

Requirements

• Be motivated to practice performing, work on your compositions, and learn about musical elements, context, and musical language. 

• Join or continue to attend at least one music club at school and perform in at least one school concert each year.

• Choose your method of performing, which could be any instrument, singing, rapping, beatboxing, DJing, or musical production.