MUSIC

Specification: Edexcel Music (1MU0) 

Edexcel's GCSE Music syllabus consists of three sections: Performance, Composition and Listening and Appraising.

Candidates are expected to have some skill on a musical instrument or their voice before starting the course, and keyboard skills are useful (though not essential) for composition using various music software packages. Candidates are required to be taking individual singing or instrumental lessons, at school or externally for the duration of the course, in pursuit of the best possible performance outcomes.

Component 1: Performing

Candidates submit a piece of solo playing or singing and perform as part of an ensemble. The performances are assessed on difficulty, technical mastery and interpretation of the music.  Candidates are not required to perform in front of an audience as both performances are recorded solely in the presence of the teacher. GCSE students are, however, strongly encouraged to perform as a part of school events.

Component 2: Composing

Candidates must apply the knowledge of various musical genres studied in the Listening and Appraising part of the course, and compose two pieces which relate to two different Areas of Study.  Candidates may compose through utilising music technology software or using the more traditional score notation.

Component 3: Listening and Appraising

There are four areas of study: ‘Instrumental music 1700-1820’, ‘Vocal Music, ‘Music for Stage and Screen’ and ‘Fusions’.  Within each of these areas of study students examine various genres in terms of their identifying features and their historical and social context.  Questions are based around set works for each unit.  The types of music studied range from classic works such as Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata and Purcell’s Music for a While to the music of Queen, John Williams and songs from the musical Wicked.