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KS4

Music GCSE

Year 10

Term 1

Basic music theory
Introduction to Listening work/ensemble work/composing
STUDY AREA - MUSIC FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Related listening - how to describe music
Introduction to composing. Begin first composition (coursework)
How to write the composition commentary (diary, structure etc)

Term 2

STUDY AREA - MUSIC FOR STAGE AND SCREEN
Related listening activities
Solo performance assessment
First composition completed, recorded, written about

Term 3 

STUDY AREA - MUSIC EVOLUTION
Related listening activities
Ensemble performance assessment
Begin second composition

Year 11

Term 1

STUDY AREA - MUSIC IN WALES
Related listening activities
Prepare for mock exam - listening paper
Assessment on performing solo and ensemble (mock exam)

Term 2

STUDY AREA - MUSICAL STRUCTURE
Related listening activities
Complete composition two - record, written work complete
Practise solo and ensemble pieces ready for actual exam (Feb/March)

Term 3

Revision of study areas for listening exam (May / June)
Two compositions completed by May for moderation

Please note that in the final exam one study area must be assessed in composing and either solo or ensemble performing work. You need to plan for this. See Miss Smith or Mr Cane-Hardy for advice.

Equipment

One A4 folder, card dividers, manuscript book, information sheets given from department. Students also need to purchase a revision guide and workbook and will be issued with CD’s of listening work for a nominal fee.

Particular homework requirements

1½ composition work / other homework each week.
1½ individual practise on main instrument each week

Assessments

1a) Composing (40%)
Prepare a folio of 2 compositions to be recorded onto tape and finally produced as a CD by the music department. (marked out of 40 each)
1b) Complete two written essays describing how the composition was created (marked out of 10 each)
2 Performing (30%)
Prepare one solo performance piece and one ensemble piece to be assessed by a visiting examiner.
3 Listening (30%)
4 A listening and written paper of 1½ hours. Questions are based on 5 areas of study – music in Wales, Musical Structure, Music for Special Occasions, Music for Stage and Screen, Music Evolution.

Lunchtime and after school coursework support sessions

There is lunchtime / after school when required. Students should plan to use the music computer suite and / or keyboards in their own time as well as in lesson time. These facilities are available but need to be pre-booked.

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