GCSE Music Course Overview

1
GCSE Music Course Overview

• September 2009

2
Why study music ?

• It plays a huge part in most peoples lives.
• Most people get lots of enjoyment from music.
• Music develops the left side of the brain.
• It is proven to help overall co-ordination,
  concentration, listening, analysis, teamwork, and
  more.
• Employers look for creative skills in people.
• If you have a talent for music, why not put it to
  good use and gain a qualification in it.

3
Who can opt for GCSE music ?

• The GCSE music course is open to all students but
  is best suited to students who
• Have a real interest an enthusiasm for Music.
• Enjoy listening to and finding out about
  different styles of music.
• Have a reasonable level of skill on an instrument
  
• ( which includes singing ).
• Want to improve their musical skills and are
  prepared to practice to get better.
• Want to use their musical talents to gain a GCSE .

4
The 4 Areas of Study

• Exploiting the Resource
• Techniques of Melodic Composition
• Dance Music
• Traditions and Innovation

5
Area of Study 1Exploiting the Resource

• Totally about you and your chosen instrument.
• You choose your own topic based on your skills,
  talents and interests.
• You have to study 3 pieces within your chosen
  topic, perform a piece on your instrument,
  compose a piece for your instrument, and do 3
  write-ups.

6
Area of Study 2Techniques of Melodic Composition

• Understanding how good tunes are constructed.
• Understanding different types of music for the
  listening exam.
• Terminal task exam - being able to compose a good
  tune from a given stimulus.

7
Area of Study 3Dance Music

• Studying 3 main types of dance music
• Pavan and Galliard, Waltz and Disco.
• Understanding these styles and being able to
  answer questions on them in the listening exam.
• Maybe using one of these options for your
  Composition 2.

8
Area of Study 4Traditions and Innovations

• Studying 3 main types of dance music
• Salsa, Bhangra, Minimalism.
• Understanding these styles and being able to
  answer questions on them in the listening exam.
• Maybe using one of these options for your
  Composition 2.

9
Skills you will use

• Performing
• Composing
• Listening
• Appraising

10
Coursework / Exam

• Area of Study 1 Performance 15
• Area of Study 1 Composition 10
• Free Choice Performance 15
• Composition 2 10
• Written Briefs and Appraisals 10
• Terminal Task 15
• Listening Exam 25

11
Summary of

• Performance 30
• Composition 20
• Write-ups 10
• Terminal Task 15
• Listening exam 25

12
It is important that you involve your instrument
teacher in your study throughout the GCSE music
course they are the person best equipped to
help and guide you with choices of pieces and
practice for the performance coursework.
13
The End