GCSE Music
(AQA Music)
The teaching and assessment of the course is split into four main units:
Performing Music – 40%
One solo and one ensemble performance lasting no more than five minutes for each. Performance assessment will be conducted regularly throughout the course and the best performances will be retained for submission. Performances are internally assessed and moderated by the Examining Board.
Listening and Appraising Music – 20%
During the course, students will explore three strands: Popular Music, World Music and the Western Classical Tradition. At the end of the course, students will sit a one hour exam in which they will respond to questions based on short musical extracts from the three strands.
Composing and Appraising Music – 20%
Students will be given 20 hours of controlled time in which to compose one piece of music which relates to one of the three strands studied for the Listening and Appraising unit. The composition will be submitted as a score, recording and annotation.
Composing Music – 20%
Students will be given 25 hours of controlled time in which to compose one piece of music.
The composition will be submitted as a score, recording and annotation.
Students will need some practical experience on any instrument, including voice
and where possible, will have completed music graded examinations for any
recognised exam board at Grade 3 standard or above.
Music is a practical-based course which allows students to adapt the requirements to
suit their strengths. The course will suit any student who enjoys music - whatever the style.
Progress Routes and Careers
Career possibilities using music cover a wide area. As well as the more immediate ones such as performing and teaching, others include composition, musical instrument manufacture and repair, military musician, sound engineering, publishing and printing, work in radio, film and television, arts administration, community work, music therapy, journalism and librarianship. Students can also go on to study additional Music courses such as ensemble skills and band leadership as well as Music Sixth Form courses.
** Please note that students opting for this course will need to prepare for an audition. Students will be asked to play a piece of music on their first instrument or voice.**
(Photographs courtesy of High Wood Photography)