MUSIC OPTION 1

1
MUSIC OPTION 1

• Music GCSE
• Edexcel Syllabus

2
What are the main areas of study and how are they
weighted for assessment?

• Performing 30
• Composing 30
• Listening 40

3
What will you spend your time doing?

• Performing
• This means playing your musical instrument or
  singing.
• Most pupils who opt for Music GCSE already play
  at least 1 instrument, some will be good singers.
  Many pupils will be taking individual lessons on
  their instrument either with a private teacher
  out of school, or with an instrumental teacher in
  school. Pupils who are having individual
  instrumental lessons are at a considerable
  advantage over other pupils.
• You only need to play 1 instrument.
• Although we do some preparation for playing
  assessments in class, you will be expected to do
  most of this work at home.
• You have to play for 3 playing assessments during
  the course, but we do other playing tasks as part
  of the course.

4
How is performing assessed?

• A solo piece (15) this will be your most
  important performing assessment
• A group piece (15) for 2 or more players, they
  may be other members of the option group, pupils
  from other year groups, your teacher, members of
  an out-of-school band.
• There are no set pieces which you have to
  play, you can choose your own with help and
  advice from your teachers.

5
What else will you spend your time doing?

• Composing
• This is your coursework.
• This takes up about half of the teaching time.
• You will be working individually on the computer
  programmes Cubasis and Sibelius.
• By Easter in Y11 you will have completed 2
  compositions for presentation (15 each).
• Although only 2 compositions are submitted for
  final assessment, you will probably work on 4 or
  more compositions during the course.
• You will be expected to spend some of your own
  time at lunch, or 3.25 working on your
  compositions in G5.

6
Cubasis
7
Sibelius
8
What about the rest of the time?

• Listening
• This is assessed by a written exam lasting about
  one and a half hours in May of Y11.
• It consists of 12 extracts of music played on CD,
  with a booklet of questions you have to answer
  whilst listening to the music.
• There will also be a Listening Test at the end of
  Y10 and a mock Listening Test in January of Y11.
• The sorts of music you have to learn about
  include Classical, Electronic music, Pop,
  Musicals, Dance music, and music from around the
  world.
• You have to know the sound of different
  instruments, how composers make their
  compositions, and about music notes.
• In class we listen to extracts of music, use text
  books and worksheets, do some written tasks, and
  sometimes use the internet.

9
Is there much homework?

• Usually there will be 1 written homework each
  week this will be about a Listening Topic, or
  music notation.
• You are expected to practice your musical
  instrument regularly and prepare your solo and
  other performances at home.
• Whilst we are working on compositions you will be
  expected to continue working on the school
  computer system in G5 during some lunch times and
  after 2.55.

10
Is Music GCSE for me?

• It is not an easy option, it is a GCSE course not
  a vocational course.
• 30 of the marks are for playing an instrument or
  singing, are you committed to playing music?
• Are you confident using Music ICT like Cubasis
  and Sibelius?
• Are you prepared to listen to and learn about
  different sorts of music, some of which you may
  not like?
• Can I take this option if I dont play an
  instrument out of school? Yes, but if
  your playing is limited to just classroom
  keyboard playing in years 7 to 9 you might find
  it rather difficult.