Music
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." - Plato
Why choose Music?
GCSE Music is an exciting mix of practical, creative and academic skills. GCSE Music is about making, performing and listening to music. You will be able to make your own decisions about the kind of music you would like to perform and write. The course is excellent preparation for studying music at 'A' level but it is also ideal preparation for future jobs which involve communication, teamwork and expressive skills.
Welcome to Music
Director of Music - Mr S Clarke
Universities and employers recognise the high academic standard of GCSE Music. The skills that are taught within the subject are very useful in work, study and life.
Outside the music industry, the use of creativity and imagination is essential in marketing, creative industries, broadcast media and writing. Content writers, copywriters, journalists and jingle writers all engage in composition in their work. Technical skills are essential for highly skilled tradespeople such as electricians, carpenters and joiners, and plumbers, as well as professionals such as software engineers, architects and teachers. Finally, presentation is an essential skill. Project managers, sales reps, market researchers, consultants, academics and teachers must present progress reports, marketing materials and research to management, colleagues, customers and students.
Exam Board : Eduqas
Qualifiaction Type: GCSE
Assessment : One listening exam, coursework focused on performing and composing music
Exam Length :
Performing - 2 pieces (30%)
Composing - 2 pieces (30%)
Listening - 75 min (40%)
What would help?
Anyone can choose this course, however you may find it easier to access if you are currently achieving level 4 or above in classroom music assessments and are currently having peripatetic music lessons working towards Grade 2 in a ABRSM, Trinity or Rockschool exam
Course Content
The course covers the three main skills developed during Key Stage 3 Music.
Performing involves recording one solo and one ensemble piece to be submitted as coursework. The average standard of GCSE performance is grade 3.
Composing involves writing your own music in a variety of styles. You will also develop your ability to compose using music technology (Logic Pro X)
Listening and Appraising involves learning the elements of music and how they are used within music. You will also learn about 2 set works, Bach’s Badinerie and Toto’s Africa. Finally you will learn about a number of musical genres and become familiar with a great range of musical vocabulary.
"Fun, interactive lessons which teach us about different parts of Music GCSE. Each lesson is packed with info and material to aid with learning, as well as being packed with FUN!" - Y10 student
Methods of Study
Lessons will cover a wide range of music theory. Students will be taught how to define and hear musical terms and how to locate them on a score. Students will be taught how to use Logic Pro X to compose music in various styles using the theory they have learnt.
Students are required to play an instrument or be willing to take up instrumental lessons. The majority of rehearsals for the performance element of the course will need to take place outside of the classroom.
Students are expected to play a leading role in the life of the music department. This will involve committing to co-curricular ensembles and performances.
"GCSE Music is an informative course which allows you to delve into the world of music through the set works and Elements of Music. It is an enriching course which broadens your mind with different genres and performances of music." - Y11 student
Assessment
Eduqas Board.
30% Performing – one solo performance and one ensemble performance will be submitted as coursework. These two pieces need to total a minimum of 4 minutes and must be 1 minute minimum each in duration.
30% Composing – 2 original pieces in different styles will be submitted as coursework. One is written to a set brief and the other is a free composition. Both must total a minimum of 4 minutes.
40% Listening and Appraising – there is one exam at the end of Year 11 which requires you to listen to excerpts and answer questions on 8 pieces of music. 2 will be the set works, the rest unfamiliar pieces. You will learn how to listen to music and dictate what you hear rhythmically and melodically. The genres of music covered in the exam will span the broad areas of Western Classical Tradition Music 1600 – 1900, Music for ensembles, Blues and Jazz, Musicals, Film Music, Rock and Pop, Bhangra and Fusions.
Here are some examples of GCSE Music work produced by our students this year. Please click on the clips below to listen.
Composition 1.mp4Composition Example 1
Performance 1 Vocals.mp4Performance Example 1 - Vocal
Performance 2 Drums.mp4Performance Example 2 - Drums
Useful Links
Music Theory Youtube Videos