Key Stage 4
Qualification
GSCE (Edexcel)
As music is the language that we use, you will need to be able to read and write staff notation. You will be taught this in early lessons BUT it is obviously an advantage to you if you can do this when the course starts.
Composition (30%) - This area of the course will require you to complete work both in and outside of lesson time. Students produce a portfolio of 2 original compositions, each lasting at least three minutes in total. Each piece will be based on two different areas of study that you research in the listening part of the course. One of your compositions has to be played by you and perhaps your friends as part of the performance exam .
Performance (30%) - Students have to offer playing an instrument or singing as a soloist. (One piece of music that you play or sing.) You will also need to play another two pieces, one of which you have to be part of a group. It is strongly recommended that you have regular lessons with an appropriate instrumental teacher. At the moment the school offer a small subsidy towards the cost of these lessons. Attendance at the lessons is compulsory. A final performance will take place at a given time during year eleven .
Listening and Appraising Test (40%) - . This is assessed through a formal exam consisting of recorded extracts and lasts for 1 hour 30 minutes. You will have researched music in four areas of study and you will respond to questions about them. This exam is taken in the Summer Term of Year 11. The 4 Areas of Study are included in this.
Areas of Study:
1 Repetition and contrast in music
2 Classical music from 1900
3 The Popular Song
4 Music from around the world
Curriculum
Two hours lesson time per week.
Course Delivery
You will learn about the areas of study throughout Year 10 and begin to focus on specific exam technique in Year 11.
After completing a course such as this you are ideally positioned to continue with a post 16 course in AS or A level music. The skills you have developed at GCSE are transferred directly into the A level course. Post 16 courses also consist of a composition, performance and listening examination.
