Course Overview
Music is a combination of sounds, silence, rhythm, pitch, tone, melody and harmony that communicate emotions and ideas. It has great power to excite and to relax us, to bring back memories and to make us feel nostalgic.
Research shows that studying music can help students develop critical thinking, spatial reasoning and cognitive skills. It also helps develop communication skills and encourages creativity and expressiveness. Students who play music as part of a group develop team-working skills, self-discipline, self-esteem and the ability to listen to others.
All pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 study Music for one hour each week with specialist staff. The course is essentially creative and gives pupils the opportunity to learn how to listen and appreciate music and to extend their own musical interests and skills.
FAQs (GCSE)
Is this the right subject for me?
If you enjoy performing music in your own time and learning an instrument, having singing lessons or enjoy creating music on computers or in a recording studio, then this is a good subject to choose! If you would like to create music of your own, then composing will give you the opportunity. If you want to broaden your knowledge of all types of music, including classical, popular and world, then this exciting course will give you an appreciation of the diversity of musical styles which exist today!
What will I learn?
You will learn how to improve your performing skills through your work in composing you will gain an insight into how music is constructed from initial ideas through to the finished product. You will also learn how to analyse music in a variety of styles and discover the social and historical context in which music has been composed over the last 400 years or so.
What examination will I take?
Edexcel GCSE in Music.
How will I be assessed?
- Performing: You will need to play one solo and one ensemble piece. 30% (using the recording studio)
- Composing: You will need to compose and record two pieces. 30% (Produce a CD/MP3 with notated scores or annotation)
- The Listening and Appraising component is assessed through a 90-minute written paper with questions on your prescribed set works 40% (E.g. ‘Name the instrument playing the solo.’ ‘Give two musical reasons why you like or dislike this piece of music. ‘What style is this piece of music written in?’)
What do I need to know, or be able to do, before taking the course?
You have already gained many of the basic skills needed for this course in your music lessons over the last three years.
- You have been introduced to creating music of your own in class and this is developed on the GCSE course as you choose two topics for composition. For example this could be a popular song and a dance track, a classical piece or some world music. There is a wide choice and it can be tailored to your own musical interests and strengths.
- You have already listened to a variety of music in class and these skills are developed as you study some set pieces taken from the classical, 20th century, popular and world music areas of study.
- You enjoy making music, either as a soloist or in a group. The GCSE course encourages you to perform music of your own choosing and in any style, as a soloist and also in a group. To take this course, you must be able to offer just one instrument/or voice.
What can I do after I’ve completed the course?
If you enjoyed the GCSE Music course then you can consider pursuing the subject at AS or A2 Level. Your listening skills will enhance the aural perception needed in language examinations. Your performing skills will give you confidence in playing to an audience – useful if you intend to pursue, for example, drama or law. In addition, you may wish to study A Level Performing Arts or Music Technology.
FAQs (BTEC)
Is this the right course for me?
If you are a budding music producer and/or performer and enjoy using computers, this is the course for you! You will get to mix, produce and engineer music on computers and in the recording studio. If you are an aspiring music technician or record producer, our up-to-date facilities will enable you to experience hardware and software that will set you up for future studio recording. This is a more vocational course and could lead onto music technology courses. This course is suitable for instrumentalists, singers, computer music specialists, DJ’s and technicians.
What will I learn?
There are three units which you need to complete:
Planning and Creating a Music Product
If you are working in the music profession either as a performer, technician or any other role, musicians work towards a final product. For a pop star it might be a tour or the release of their latest album. For a studio engineer it might be the production of an album in time for the publicised launch date. This unit involves planning, preparation and/or rehearsal of a showcase of your work in the form of a public event or an audio CD.
Exploring Computer Systems used by Musicians
The digital age has seen computers take centre stage in music production environments. You will explore the components of computer hardware and software used in music production and performance. You will be introduced to techniques involved in music creation with software like Garageband, Logic and Cubase.
Producing a Musical Recording
This gives the opportunity to use audio recording equipment to produce a music product and prepares you for working in music technology or in the music industry. You will be introduced to some of the technology and techniques involved in creating music recordings. You will learn how to prepare and set-up for a ‘realistic’ recording session.
What examination will I take?
Edexcel BTEC First Certificate in Music.
How will I be assessed?
The BTEC is all coursework based and evidence will include recordings and an activity log or diary, recording the organisation of sessions. A Learner Assignment Proposal (LAP) detailing what you want to do and what will be involved in doing so.
What do I need to know, or be able to do, before taking the course?
You should have an interest in music and in sound engineering and be organised and have the ability to co-ordinate, produce and plan for recording sessions with live musicians.
What can I do after I’ve completed the course?
This course is equivalent to 2 GCSE’s Grade A*-C. If you enjoyed the BTEC first, you could consider pursuing a BTEC National or AS or A2 Music Technology Course. Your music production skills will enhance and you may want this to lead to a career in the ever growing music industry.
The Music Staff
Mrs A Howells
Head of Music Dept.
Ms S Coffey
Music Teacher
Light Hall School 2010.
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