Share This Page

Music

Back

Key Stage 3

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high-quality music education should engage and inspire students to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As students’ progress, they develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.

In line with the National Curriculum the teaching of Music at Nicholas Breakspear aims to ensure that all pupils:

Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of composers and musicians.
Learn to sing and use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn and progress on a musical instrument of their choice; use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence.
Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the interrelated dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

At each assessment window the following skills are assessed in the students:

AO1: Performing with technical control, expression, and interpretation

(performance assessment 30%)

AO2: Compose and develop musical ideas with technical control and coherence.

(composition assessment 30%)

AO3: Demonstrate and apply musical knowledge.

(listening assessment 20%)

AO4: Use appraising skills to make evaluative and critical judgements about music.

(listening assessment 20%)

Key Stage 4

GCSE Music

Awarding Body: Eduqas

Subject Contact: Mr J Maundrell

Course Outline

The course is split into three components of music:

Performance (30%)
Composition (30%)
Listening and Appraising (40%)

The Performance Unit requires you to perform a minimum of 2 pieces on your instrument (1 solo and 1 ensemble). It is expected that you will be working on these independently with your instrumental teacher and practising regularly at home. Students should have instrumental experience and grade 3 is considered the ‘standard’ grade required.

The Composition Unit requires you to write two original composition pieces from different musical areas. These are accompanied by log sheets explaining the process you have gone through to produce your composition. You will be expected to work independently to compose ideas outside of the classroom and you will use composition software in lessons to notate your music.

The Listening and Appraising Unit is what we focus on most during lessons. This is the study of various types of music ranging from the western classical tradition to film music and popular music. You will study pieces in detail, analysing and evaluating the elements of music.

Throughout the course students develop their listening skills and build an extensive knowledge of music by exploring 4 main areas of study in detail. These areas of study are:

1. Musical Forms and Devices

Learners are encouraged to engage with a variety of music from the prescribed eras, through a range of performing, composing and appraising activities. They are also encouraged to make links between music they listen to, pieces they perform and their own compositions, as well as music by composers from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries who use these forms and devices.

2. Music for Ensemble

Learners will consider how music is composed for small groups of instruments and voices. Learners will also consider how texture is manipulated and they are encouraged to use small instrumental/vocal groupings in their own music. Learners are required to perform as part of an ensemble, and through this to actively engage with ensemble music, understanding the relationship between performers on the stage and the audience.

3. Film Music

Through this area of study learners are encouraged to consider how music for film is created, developed and performed, and the impact this has on the audience. Learners will have the opportunity to compose and perform film music and are encouraged to use musical technology to create mood and atmosphere through engaging with the story of the film.

4. Popular Music

Through this area of study learners are encouraged to explore the musical idioms associated with a variety of popular music, and they will have the opportunity to perform popular music as well as compose music associated with a popular music genre. Learners are also encouraged to use music technology, understanding the impact this has on the way music is developed and performed in popular music.

Assessment

60% Coursework

You will be assessed on your 2 performances recordings as well as your 2 composition pieces against a set of success criteria provided by the exam board. Your performance portfolio will also require a musical score matching exactly what you are performing on your instrument. Your composition portfolio will require a notated score as well as a written log sheet.

40% Examination

The examination is usually a 90-minute paper, sat in the Summer Exam series of Year 11. The exam covers the 4 main areas you will study throughout the course. In the exam, you will listen to 8 extracts of music and answer a series of questions on each piece. The questions will range from 1-mark multiple choice questions, to 12-mark essay questions.

Career Progression

Choosing GCSE Music offers a range of benefits, including developing creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and discipline through performance, composition, and analysis. It opens up various career pathways such as becoming a musician, music teacher, composer, sound engineer, or music therapist.

The skills gained are transferable to other fields, enhancing communication, problem-solving, and cultural awareness. Studying GCSE Music can lead to further academic opportunities like A-Level Music and university courses, or even a lifelong passion for music. Overall, it provides both personal growth and professional prospects, whether you pursue a career in music or not.

For further information regarding the specification please follow the link:

http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music/gcse/

Key Stage 5

A-Level Music

Course Content

Students can choose to either specialise in performance or composition over the 2 years.

Component 1 Performance

Option A Total duration of performances 10-12 minutes 35%

A performance consisting of a minimum of three pieces. At least one of these pieces must be as a soloist. The other pieces may be either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble or a combination of both.

Option B Total duration of performances 6-8 minutes 25%

A performance consisting of a minimum of two pieces either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble or a combination of the both. One piece must reflect the musical characteristics of an area of study. Non-Exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner in March of Year 13

Component 2 Composition

Option A Total duration of compositions 4-6 minutes 25%

Two compositions, one of which must reflect the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition. The second composition it a free composition.

Option B Total duration of compositions 8-10 minutes 35%

Three compositions, one of which must reflect the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition and be in response to a brief set by WJEC. Learners will have a choice of four set briefs, released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition must reflect the musical characteristics of one different area of study (i.e. not Western Classical Tradition) while the third composition is a free composition.Non-Exam assessment: externally assessed by WJEC exam board.

Component 3 Appraising 40%

Written examination 2 hours 15 minutes Listening examination at the end of Year 13.

There are three Areas of Study

The Western Classical Tradition (The Development of the Symphony 1750-1900)
A choice of one area of study from Rock and Pop, Musical Theatre or Jazz
A choice of one area of study from either ‘Into the Twentieth Century’ or ‘Into the Twenty-First Century’

Learning Methods and Assessment

Learning is primarily through listening and appraising music to give students the skills they need to understand the study of music in an analytical manner. Students are expected to have individual peripatetic lessons to support Unit 2. Overall the A level has a weighting in Option A of 25% coursework and 75% examination and in Option B of 35% coursework and 65% examination.

Expectations of Students

This is a demanding course that requires students to undertake background research between lessons. In addition to school lessons, students are expected to give of their own time when rehearsing for practical projects and having individual tuition on their instrument/voice.

Careers Prospects

Music can help many students gain access to Russell group universities to study subjects like History, Medicine and Maths, as well as accessing Conservatories, music academies, and law schools.

Awarding Body: Eduqas