GCSE (Year 10 and 11)
In GCSE music the course consists of 4 elements; performing, composing, listening and an integrated assignment. There are five areas of study which are Music for Film, Dance Music. Orchestral Landmarks, The Popular Song since 1960 and Music for Special Events.
Below is a list of topics studied in each year of the GCSE:
Year 10
Autumn
Basic theory/Introduction to music GCSE
Compositional techniques (Coursework Preparation)
Music for Film (Listening Exam)
Introduction of Cubase and Sibelius 4 Software
Spring
Music for special events (Coursework)
Begin Composition Coursework
Work on Solo performance/Mark schemes (Coursework)
Orchestral Landmarks (Listening Exam)
Summer
Composition or Performance coursework - 1 Weekly lesson
Music for dance (Listening Exam) - 2 Weekly lessons
Year 11
Autumn
Ensemble Performance (Coursework)
Popular music Since 1960
**Integrated Exam paper issued by the Board (NOV)**
Introduction of Integrated Coursework
Spring
Ensemble performance (Deadline 14th Feb)
Integrated assignment Exam
Realisation
Performance
Summer
Revision
Annotations
Integrated Exam Preparation
Listening work
Exam Questions
Home learning takes two forms in music. For performance coursework students are expected to practise their solo or Ensemble piece for short periods most days of the week. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss with their peripatetic teacher suitable pieces as they have an extra 20 minute lesson with them every week. Students will also be set larger pieces of home learning every couple of weeks to complete over a longer time, on occasions it may be split into shorter tasks. This could involve researching, composing, completing worksheets to practising exam style questions and listening tasks. On core pieces of class and home learning students will be marked formally and given a GCSE grade and a target for their work.
Useful Websites:
Year 10
http://neilhawes.com/sstheory/theory.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/theory/theory.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/classicalorchestral/
http://ababasoft.com/music/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/musicfordance/
Year 11
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/worldmusic/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/
http://www.projectgcse.co.uk/music/
http://www.musicatschool.co.uk/gcse.htm
Pupils work
| Mathew Davies | Megan Gadre | Natalie Holden |