GCSE | Music - Leighton Park

GCSE in Music

Exam Board: (WJEC) Eduqas
Syllabus Code: 3660QS

Is this the right subject for me?

For students who enjoy performing music in their own time and are learning an instrument, having singing lessons or enjoy creating music on computers or in a recording studio, then this is a good subject to choose! For those who would like to create music of their own, then composing will give them the opportunity. Music GCSE broadens students knowledge of all types of music, including classical, popular, stage and screen, and world music, and gives them an appreciation of the diversity of musical styles that exist today. This specification encourages an integrated approach to the three distinct disciplines of performing, composing and appraising through four interrelated areas of study.

What will I learn?

Students will learn how to improve their performing skills and through their work in composing they will gain an insight into how music is constructed from initial ideas through to the finished product. Candidates will also learn how to analyse music in a variety of styles and discover the social and historical context in which music has been composed over the last 400 years or so.

What do I need to know, or be able to do, before taking this course?

Students have already gained many of the basic skills needed for this course in their music lessons over the last three years by:

creating music of their own in class. This is developed in the GCSE course as students develop works for their own composition portfolio. There is a wide choice of styles available and it can be tailored to their own personal musical interests and strengths
listening to a variety of music in class and these skills are developed further as students study two set pieces taken from Area of Study 1:Musical Forms and Devices and Area of Study 4: Popular Music
enjoying making music, either as a soloist or in a group. The GCSE course encourages students to perform music of their own choosing and in any style, as a soloist and also in a group. To take this course, students must be able to offer just one instrument/or voice

Unit 1	Performing Music (30% weighting) – students will need to perform a minimum of two pieces with a combined duration of four to six minutes. The standard of pieces selected for performance should be broadly equivalent to Grade 3 of the graded music examinations, one of which must be an ensemble performance of at least one-minute duration. The other piece(s) may be either solo and/or ensemble. There is no requirement to perform a solo piece if the student does not wish to.
Unit 2	Composing Music (30% weighting) – students will need to compose two pieces with a combined duration of three to six minutes.
Unit 3	Music Appraisal (40% weighting) – assessed through a listening examination. There are eight questions in total, two on each of the four areas of study.

Areas of Study:


1	Musical Forms and DevicesThe music of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras provides the context for a study of binary, ternary, minuet and trio, rondo, variation and strophic forms. Students are encouraged to engage with a variety of music from the prescribed eras, through a range of performing, composing and appraising activities. This area of study contains the first of two prescribed works: Badinerie by J.S.Bach for Flute and String Orchestra with Harpsichord.
2	Music for EnsembleThrough a study of diverse musical styles composed for ensemble, such as jazz and blues, musical theatre and chamber music, students will consider how music is composed for small groups of instruments and voices. Students 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 MusicThe film industry is of considerable commercial and cultural interest in both the UK and abroad. There are many areas of specialism for musicians within this industry such as composer, orchestrator, arranger, performer, music editor, producer and more. A film composer scores music to accompany a motion picture for film or television. This includes dramatic underscore and thematic music as well as popular songwriting. Through this area of study students are encouraged to consider how music for film is created, developed and performed, and the impact this has on the audience. Students 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 MusicPopular music is a wide-ranging and diverse art form encompassing several distinct genres. The popular music industry offers a wide range of opportunities for both composers and performers, including singer, song-writer, music producer, arranger and more. Through this area of study students 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. Students are also encouraged to use music technology, understanding the impact this has on the way music is developed and performed in popular music. The second prescribed work is included in this area of study: ‘Africa’ by Toto.

What can I do after I have completed the course?

For those who enjoy the GCSE Music course then A Level music or Music Technology or BTEC Level 3 Digital Film and Video Production may be considered at Sixth Form level. The creative section is currently the fastest growing of the UK economy and has been since 2008, so there has never been a better time to study music.

The transferable skills for other subjects acquired when studying music include enhancing students’ listening skills needed in language examinations, enhancing performing skills giving confidence to play to an audience – useful for students intending to pursue, for example, drama or law and studying music will help them to develop their ability to think creatively and ‘outside the box’ as well as enhancing their ability to collaborate and work effectively with others.

If you have any queries about this course, please contact Head of Department: Rosemary Scales.

GCSE | Music – Leighton Park

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