OCR GCSE Music

"If I were not a physicist, I would be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music."  (Albert Einstein)

Why choose music?

Music is about more than being a musician.  Music is a passion, a community a different way of seeing the world around us and a way to connect to our past and other cultures.  

GCSE music will encourage you to be creative while broadening your musical horizons and understanding.  You will develop your own instrumental skills.  Through the study of various genre, styles and eras you will explore musical contexts, musical language, and performance and composition skills.  

Those students who opt for GCSE music will also receive free instrumental tuition in an instrument of their choice. 

Who can choose Music?

All students are welcome to choose GCSE Music, but it is preferable if you already have experience whether on an instrument or as a vocalist as the course contains large amounts of performance and composition elements. 

What will I do in this GCSE? 

GCSE Music is a very practical course and it develops the skills that are taught at Key Stage 3; Performing, Composing and Listening.  There are 3 main units of the course:

• listening and Appraising 

• Performance 

• Composition 

 You will need to practice as an individual on your instrument as well as playing with others as a part of a group.  You will need to compose your own pieces of music.  You will learn a range of musical styles and music theory in music theory lessons.  There are 4 areas of study for the written exam:

• Concerto through time 

• Rhythms of the world 

• Film music 

• Conventions of pop 

How will I be assessed?

Integrated Portfolio - 30% of total GCSE

• Performance on the student's chosen instrument 

• A composition set to a brief outlined by the student

Practical Component - 30% of total GCSE

•  An ensemble performance 

• Composition set to a brief outlined by the exam board 

Listening and Appraising - 40% of total GCSE

A written exam paper.  Questions based on 4 different areas of study.  You will listen to a track and then answer questions.  The exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes in length

Is there anything else I should consider and what are the career pathways?

 You must be able to practise at home and have lessons on your chosen instrument, even if you intend to sing.  

By taking Music you can achieve a good balance of subjects in your GCSE choices.  Musicians are always looked upon favourably because of the self-discipline, motivation and creativity needed in this subject.  Career choices could include Radio, Television, Production, Engineering, Professional Musician and Teaching.

For more information on this subject please contact:- c.richards@thestreetlyacademy.co.uk