GCSE Music Course Outline

[Tour 2003] [GCSE] [AS Music Technology] [Activities]

Paper 1: Performing
Solo performing: you will need to sing or play one piece. This will be recorded and assessed by your music teacher.

Performing during the course: you will need to play or sing two pieces. One must be one of your own compositions and at least one of them must be an ensemble performance (2 or more players). Both of these will be recorded and assessed by your music teacher.

Paper 2 : Composing
You will need to compose and record two compositions lasting 3 minutes in total. Both pieces are composed according to a brief (“task”) which may be set by your music teacher or chosen by yourself. The brief should be linked to one of the Area of Study (see below). Both compositions will be marked by your music teacher.

Paper 3: Listening and Appraising
In Year 11 you will take a written examination lasting 90 minutes. The questions are based on music in a variety of styles and traditions across the four Areas of Study (see below). The examination will be marked by the exam board.

Areas of Study

Area of Study 1
Repetition & contrast in Western Classical Music 1600-1899.

• Ground bass
• Variations
• Ternary form
• Rondo

Area of Study 2
New directions in Western Classical Music 1900 to the present day.

• Serialism
• Minimalism
• Experimental music
• Electronic music

Area of study 3
Popular song in context.

• 12 bar blues
• reggae
• club dance remix
• songs from musicals

Area of Study 4
Rhythms, scales and modes in music from around the world.

• gamelan music
• Indian raga
• African drumming
• Music which draws together at least two different cultures.