|
Home
>
Subjects
>
Music
>
GCSE
|
|
In Years 11 and 12 Music can be chosen as a GCSE option.
The Exam Board we use for GCSE Music is CCEA. Click here to go to the CCEA GCSE Music site. Click here for the GCSE Music Specification.
During its two year course, the aim of GCSE Music is to develop candidates’ overall musical skills and awareness through working at the following three complementary activities:-
(1) COMPOSING AND APPRAISING (30%)
Composing is assessed by the class teacher as a Coursework activity, before being moderated by an external examiner. Candidates must submit, by April in Year 12, two musical pieces which have been written by themselves, lasting collectively for between 3-6 minutes. Compositions may be submitted in the form of written scores and/or recorded CDs. Any style of music is considered appropriate, arranged for any combination of instruments.
At least one of the submitted compositions must be in a style relating to one of the Areas of Study from the Listening And Appraising Section.
Candidates are required to keep a “Composition Log”, detailing their work and progress in a diary form, and outlining the processes of putting the compositions together.
(2) PERFORMING AND APPRAISING (35%)
Performing is assessed by an external examiner who will visit the school and hear the candidate on a one-to-one basis.
Any musical medium is acceptable for Performance, from a recognised orchestral instrument to the voice, piano, recorder, guitar, accordion, or drums. A full range of styles is acceptable, including classical, pop, jazz and traditional folk. Candidates are required to perform one piece individually, and one as part of a group. Ideally students should have reached a minimum of Grade 2 standard by the end of Year 10; in order to be able to achieve full marks during the practical test, candidates should perform pieces of Grade 4 standard or higher.
At least one of the Performance pieces should be in a style relating to one of the Areas of Study from the Listening And Appraising Section, and this should be the same focus to which one of the compositions similarly relates.
5 of the marks available in this section are awarded for the candidate’s ability to discuss with the examiner the structure and historical background of their performance pieces.
(3) LISTENING AND APPRAISING (35%)
From 2011, the Listening And Appraising section covers four Areas of Study, of which one is compulsory, while two are chosen from the remaining three at the teacher’s discretion:-
Ø Repeated Patterns in Music (compulsory)
Ø Music Traditions in Ireland
Ø Incidental Music
Ø Vocal Music
Candidates will study a minimum of four pieces of music from each of these subject areas. This enhances the candidate’s all-round musical knowledge, and is examined by two written papers of 45 minutes each.
| 
|
|
|
|
|