Music

Why is the subject important?

Students are equipped with a firm understanding of the value of music through performance, aural appreciation and composition across a variety of periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. Creating well rounded students, music can develop language and reasoning, a mastery of memorisation, a sense of achievement and emotional development to name just a few. A lifetime love of listening to, performing and composing music can be creative, relaxing and show future employers how a student can be focused and resilient in a range of ways.

Year 7

What will I be studying?

  • Unit 1: Graphic Score
  • Unit 2: Music Through Time
  • Unit 3: West African Music
  • Unit 4: Contemporary
  • Unit 5: Pop
  • Unit 6: Programme Music

Career Links

Careers – Linking vastly to historical understandings of the world where geographers and potential historians may gain further understanding in world influences via major historic events.

Employability skills – Music allows learners to experience and develop key attributes such as achievement, self-confidence, community bonds with and awareness of others.  Building their respect to performers, empathy toward feedback and personal reflection in work. The making of a skill and recall and embed muscle memory of situations.

How will I be assessed?

Students will take part in a practical assessment at the end of each unit. Performing in pairs or as a group the knowledge accessed through the 4 major assessment strands: singing, performing, composing and appreciating music.

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

What will I be studying?

  • Unit 7 : Gamelan
  • Unit 8 : Reggae
  • Unit 9: Protest Songs
  • Unit 10: Music Technology
  • Unit 11: Film Music
  • Unit 12: Battle of the Bands

Career Links

Careers – Linking vastly to historical understandings of the world where geographers and potential historians may gain further understand in world influences via major historic events.

Employability skills – Music allows learners to experience and develop key attributes such as achievement, self-confidence, community bonds with and awareness of others.  Building their respect to performers, empathy toward feedback and personal reflection in work. The making of a skill and recall and imbed muscle memory of situations. Exploring job roles within the music industry and how the media impacts those positions within our society and cultures.

How will I be assessed?

Students will take part in a practical assessment at the end of each unit. Performing in pairs or as a group the knowledge accessed through the 4 major assessment strands: singing, performing, composing and appreciating music.

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

What will I be studying?

  • Unit 13: Music Production
  • Unit 14: Gaming Music

Careers – Music Career Links

technology and computer skills are an essential part of todays’ employment. Looking at various careers and professional case studies.

Employability skills – The ability to work via new and complex software will ignite curiosity and independent practice in understanding and navigating new ICT endeavours.

How will I be assessed?

Students will take part in a show and tell practical assessment at the end of each unit. Performing in pairs or as a group the knowledge accessed through the 4 major assessment strands: vocal, performing, composing and appreciating music.

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

 

GCSE Music

What will I be studying?

The specification has three components based on the three skills of performing, composing and appraising. An integrated approach to the three skills is encouraged through each area of study and serves to highlight the importance of the relationship between composer, performer and audience. Knowledge and understanding of each area of study is assessed explicitly in Component 3. However, learners are also required to perform and compose music using conventions, styles or idioms linked to at least one area of study. Learners may choose the same or different areas of study for Components 1 and 2. Learners will also have the opportunity to follow their own musical interests in composition and performance.

Year 1

  • Composition and Appraising

Year 2

  • Performance and Appraising

Career Links

Year 9 Careers Links

Careers – Extracurricular opportunities relating to this unit ensure students understand how workers gain their positions and the benefits of the various job roles in the sector. Studying practitioners process a journey as inspiration for their own career choices.

Employability skills – Developing life skills as they transition from student towards a career in the arts. These include resilience, confidence, appreciation of music and cultures and its impact on the world.

Year 10 Careers Links

Careers – Career pathways in performing, composing and producing. Students experience visits from guest speakers and professional practitioners who deliver workshops. Students are offered the opportunity to see live theatre or concerts and experience a range of cultures beyond Halifax.

Employability skills – Equipping students with the knowledge to make decisions and justify choices, to be able to make mistakes and learn from them using a professional approach.

How will I be assessed?

  • Component 1: Performing – Total duration of performances: 4-6 minutes Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated (30% of qualification).
  • A minimum of two pieces, 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.
  • One of the pieces performed must link to an area of study of the learner’s choice.
  • Component 2: Composing – Total duration of compositions: 3-6 minutes Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated (30% of qualification).
  • Two compositions, one of which must be in response to a brief set by WJEC. Learners will choose one brief from a choice of four, each one linked to a different area of study. The briefs will be released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition is a free composition for which learners set their own brief.
  • Component 3: Appraising – Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes (approximately) 40% of qualification. This component is assessed via a listening examination. Eight questions in total, two on each of the four areas of study.
  • Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices
  • Area of study 2: Music for Ensemble
  • Area of study 3: Film Music
  • Area of study 4: Popular Music
  • Two of the eight questions are based on extracts set by WJEC (Africa by Toto and Badinerie by Bach).

Which examination board am I following?

Exam Board: Eduqas

Specification: WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9-1) in MUSIC

Website: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music-gcse/#tab_keydocuments

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

Trinity Scholars

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