Instructions for Completing GCSE Music Performing Coursework
1. When selecting your GCSE solo and ensemble performing pieces:
(a) It is STRONGLY recommended that your chosen solo and ensemble pieces are GRADE 5 difficulty level (defined as 'more difficult' by Edexcel GCSE).
(b) To guarantee this, it is STRONGLY recommended that your solo and ensemble pieces are identified as Grade 5 in one or more of the Edexcel Difficulty Level Booklets:
2. If you do not yet have the sheet music you need, purchase and/or download free sheet music from below:
Remember, YOU MUST CHECK that your solo and ensemble pieces are identified as Grade 5 in one or more of the Edexcel Difficulty Level Booklets.
3. To every performance recording**, you must bring:
(a) YOUR SHEET MUSIC: unless you are performing from memory.
(b) THE ACCOMPANIST'S SHEET MUSIC (for piano or other instrument if performing a duet) OR BACKING TRACK. The accompanist's sheet music must be in book form (not single sheets of A4). Music composed with an accompaniment MUST be performed with an accompaniment.
(c) FOR EACH PIECE YOU PERFORM YOU MUST ALSO SUBMIT A PDF OF THE EXAMINER'S SHEET MUSIC TO THE FOLDER ON THE MUSIC COURSEWORK HOMEPAGE.
All pages must be combined in a SINGLE PDF.
The pdf MUST include the sheet music for your part. The pdf may include the sheet music for other parts.
The file must be labelled as follows: Candidate Number Surname, Firstname 1Solo/2Ensemble Title e.g. 1234 Bloggs, Joe 1Solo Bach Prelude.
Please provide this each time you record a piece for the first time.
*(i) the examiner's sheet music is NOT your sheet music - it will not be returned to you for performances during or at the end of the course.
*(ii) EVERY candidate must submit sheet music to the examiner. A duet = 2 candidates = 2 separate copies of sheet music.
**(iii) You are strongly encouraged to record your performing coursework as many times as possible. This must be done in the exam centre (the school), preferably during the music coursework clinic which takes place every week on most days after school.
4. Before the performance coursework submission deadline* you must:
(a) Record your solo and ensemble performances many times, giving you many recordings from which to choose.
(b) Listen to each of your performance recordings (found on the Y10/11 coursework page) and identify your best recorded solo and ensemble performances.
(c) Complete the Performance Coursework Log (on the GCSE coursework homepage), identifying your best recorded performances for submission by their date.
*The Final GCSE Performance Coursework Submission Deadline will fall immediately after the Final GCSE Performance Recording, at the end of the Spring Term (Year 11).
Instructions for staff uploading GCSE Music Coursework to Edexcel
Edexcel Music Difficulty Levels
It is STRONGLY recommended that your chosen pieces are GRADE 5 difficulty level (defined as 'more difficult' by Edexcel GCSE)
