Mr N McLachlan, Head of Expressive Arts

Music at GCSE Level

The course aims to build on the skills developed throughout Key Stage 3.

Assessment:

The coursework component includes Performing and Composing and is worth 60% of the final grade.  Two performances (vocal or instrumental) must be recorded during the course -performance on a second instrument can gain extra credits as with a group performance.

The listening component is worth 25% and for the final 15% a candidate will be able to specialise in one of the areas of performing skills.

Listening:

• To recognise musical styles of the past and present
• To relate written music to sound
• To comment on the structural and expressive elements of music
• To identify music from around the world

Composing:

Candidates will be assessed on two pieces of music composed during the course.

• One must be written for the candidate’s main instrument (this includes voice)
• The second offers a candidate a choice between ‘dance music’ and ‘traditions and innovations’.

Lessons from the school’s visiting teachers will help to improve performance marks and ICT and keyboard work may help secure those extra points in composing areas.