2022 GCSE Music Changes

GCSE Music Appraising Exam 2022 Content

Section A

Short-answer listening question on familiar music: 6 Set Works

• J S Bach: 3rd Movement from Brandenburg Concerto no.5 in D major

• L van Beethoven: 1st Movement from Piano Sonata no.8 in C minor ‘Pathétique’

• H Purcell: Music for a While

• Queen: Killer Queen (from the album ‘Sheer Heart Attack’)

• J Williams: Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner (from the soundtrack to ‘Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope’)

• Afro Celt Sound System: Release (from the album ‘Volume 2: Release’)

Musical dictation: Treble clef

Short-answer listening question on unfamiliar music: Area Of Study 4 Fusions

Section B

Long-answer question: Area of Study 3 Stage & Screen

  • S. Schwartz Defying Gravity

GCSE Music Exam 2022 Advance Information.pdf

2022 GCSE Music Changes Ofqual Document Extract

Last year, following a public consultation on the assessment arrangements for 2021, we implemented a range of changes to the way some of the GCSEs, AS and A levels that we regulate were to be assessed in the academic year 2020 to 2021. We have decided to implement all of the proposals we set out in the consultation document. In summary, these decisions mean that for summer 2022 we will regulate to put in place the changes set out below.


GCSE Music Performance assessment 2022

  • Require students to perform 1 or more pieces of music with a combined duration of at least 1.5 minutes (if all solo performance) or 2 minutes (if including performance as part of an ensemble).

  • No requirement to perform as part of an ensemble.

  • Requirement to submit complete and unedited recording of the live performance and, where available, the score or lead sheet for that performance.


GCSE Music Composition assessment 2022

  • Require students to compose 1 or more pieces of music with a combined duration of at least 2 minutes.

  • Compositions may be in response to an exam board set brief and/or be freely composed, with no requirement to do both.

  • Exam boards to provide clarification about their requirements for students who compose more than 1 piece.

  • Requirement to submit complete recording of each composition with a score, lead sheet or written account of the composition, produced by the student.

  • NB: Students do not have to perform their own compositions. The recordings may be computer generated.


GCSE Music Both NEA components 2022

  • Permit both NEA components to be marked by the teacher and moderated by the exam board or to be marked directly by the exam board. Exam boards to provide clarification about their requirements.

2021 GCSE Music Changes

Performing

'Students perform one or more pieces of music with a combined minimum duration of 1.5 minutes'.

There is 'no requirement to perform as part of an ensemble'.

  • Before reducing the length of your performance, think very carefully about whether it will continue meet the highest level of performing assessment criteria found here.

  • These criteria can be summarised as a performance which is 'outstanding' in its demonstration of technique, accuracy, fluency and interpretation.

  • To be 'outstanding', by definition your performance must 'stand out' above the performances of all other excellent, good and satisfactory candidates in its demonstration of these features.

  • Will your chosen pieces allow your recital to 'stand out' above all other excellent performances?

Composing

'Students compose one piece of music with a minimum duration of 2 minutes'.

  • Before reducing the planned length of your composition, think very carefully about whether it will continue meet the highest level of composing assessment criteria found here.

  • These criteria can be summarised as a composition which demonstrates assurance, imagination, a sense of wholeness, sophistication, maturity, confidence, a sense of audience and occasion, and idiomatic control of musical elements to the highest level (above all others).

  • Your composition must 'stand out' above the compositions submitted by candidates at these lower levels.

  • Will the ambition and complexity of your composition allow you to demonstrate these qualities more effectively than the compositions of other candidates?

Edexcel GCSE Music 2021 Requirements in Detail

For more information about changes to A level and GCSE exams in 2021, please read the following document.

Edexcel 2021 GCSE Music Changes.pdf

Ofqual Consultation Decisions in Detail

For more information about changes to A level and GCSE exams in 2021, please read the following document.

Ofqual 2021 GCSE and A level Changes.pdf