GCSE Music

Exam Board: AQA

Coursework 80%; Exam 20%

Overview
Music GCSE is an enjoyable and exciting way to consolidate and advance a thorough understanding of a wide range of musical styles and cultures. It is a predominantly creative course that is designed to suit all young musicians no matter how eclectic their taste. GCSE Music students need skills on an instrument or voice. They need to attain around Grade 5 level by the end of the GCSE course. Any instrument and style of playing is acceptable.

Listening To and Appraising Music (20%)
A listening paper of 1 hour on the following five areas of study: Rhythm and Pulse; Harmony and Tonality; Texture and Melody; Timbre and Dynamics; Structure and Form.

Composing and Appraising Music (20%) (Two sections each worth 10%)
One composition required which must be written based on two or more areas of study. It must also be linked to one of the following three Strands: The Western Classical Tradition; Popular Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries; World Music. Composition is realised in a score and recording. 20 hours of controlled time under informal supervision. A written appraisal of composition. Two hours of controlled time under formal supervision.

Performing (40%)
One solo or technology based performance and one group performance is required at any time during the course.

Composing Music (20%)
One composition required which must be written based on two or more areas of study. It can be any style or genre. 25 hours of controlled time under informal supervision.

Homework is not set in the way required by most GCSE courses, because music candidates have areas which the course demands they work at constantly: listening to music and daily practise on their instrument(s). The department liaises with the students’ instrumental teachers to ensure that the performance work is progressing satisfactorily.

Candidates are required to contribute to some of the many extra-curricular musical activities in the school. This is a direct and enjoyable way to polish musical skills and broaden musical experience, as well as being a requirement of the exam.

Assessment of work
Students are assessed verbally throughout the GCSE course when both the teacher and their peers give feedback and positive criticism of their performances or compositions. The compositions are completed in lesson time under informal controlled assessment.

The Listening and Appraising exam is the final summative assessment at the end of Year 11. Students work towards this exam by completing practice exercises that are marked together and the answers reflected upon by the group.

Students regularly perform in front of the group and are given written comments consistent with the GCSE mark scheme. Compositions are performed, annotated and recorded throughout the course to ensure each student has a record of progress made. Again students are given feedback that is taken from the Assessment Guide developed by the exam board.

Further study
Music AS level & A-level; Music Technology AS level & A-level.

Below are some tracks recorded by GCSE Music Students.