The department follows the two-year Edexcel GCSE course.

The course consists of three units:

 

Unit 1 - Performance - 30%

Candidates perform two pieces - one Solo, one Ensemble with equal weighting of 15%.

Solo Performing (15%) in the Autumn Term of Year 11.

Ensemble performance (15%) in the Spring Term of Year 11.

 

Unit 2 - Composition - 30%

Candidates produce Two Compositions, or Two Arrangements, or One Composition and One Arrangement based on different Areas of Study. Internally assessed weighting of 15% each.

Composition 1:

Pupils are advised to compose in the idiom of ‘Western Classical Music 1600 - 1899'.

Composition 2:

This may be based on any of the other three Areas of Study.

 

Unit 3 - Listening and Appraising - 40%

A 1 hour and 30 minute listening and appraising exam based on four Areas of Study:

1. Western Classical Music 1600-1899.

2. Music in the 20^th Century.

3. Popular music in context.

4. World Music .

Listening

The content for the unit is grouped into four Areas of Study, each of which contains three set works and uses musical elements including harmonic, melodic and rhythmic devices, structure and form and genre to aid delivery.

 

1. Western Classical Music 1600-1899

Set Works

• G.F. Handel:

Chorus: ‘And the Glory of the Lord' from Messiah

• W.A. Mozart:
• 1^st movement from Symphony No.40 in G Minor
• F.Chopin:
• Piano Prelude No.15 in D Flat Major, Op.28

 

2. Music in the 20^th Century

• Schoenberg:

‘Peripetie' from Five Orchestral Pieces, Op.16

• L.Bernstein:

‘Something's Coming' from West Side Story

• S.Reich:

3^rd movement (fast) from Electric Counterpoint

 

3. Popular Music in context:

• M.Davis:

‘All Blues' from Kind of Blue

• J.Buckley:

‘Grace' from Grace

• Moby:

‘Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?' from Play

 

4. World Music

Set Works

• Capercaillie:

‘Skye Waulking Song' from Nadurra

• Werheimer/Shankar/Tanwar:

Rag Desh

• Koko:

‘Yiri'

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