KS4 COURSE OVERVIEW

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: MRS GREENWOOD

EDEXCEL MUSIC SYLLABUS

Subject Content

The course is highly practical in nature with a strong emphasis on performance and composition. In Music courses in Years 7, 8 and 9 students will already have experienced many different ways of composing music, and these will now be developed to a higher level. Compositions can cover a wide spectrum of complexity from simple electronic keyboard pieces to larger scale instrumental or vocal pieces.

As students are expected to fulfil the performance element of the course, they must either play an instrument already or be prepared to begin learning to play one.

The course is intended to be relevant to those who simply enjoy making music at whatever level, as well as those who may wish to pursue Music to a higher level beyond Year 11. Students will experience many styles of music via four areas of study:

1. Music from the Western Classical Tradition (1600-1899)
2. Music from the Western Classical Tradition (New directions and more modern music)
3. Popular Music
4. World Music

Students will be expected to become familiar with Music Technology equipment as well as more conventional methods of music making.

Scheme of Assessment

Assessment is in FOUR parts:

• A 1hour 30 minutes LISTENING TEST at the end of the course, which involves answering questions on a paper, related to a CD of musical excerpts (40%)
• Submission at the end of the course of 2 SELECTED COMPOSITIONS (30%)
• A PERFORMANCE examination in which each candidate must play or sing individually and as part of a group. (30%)

Coursework Details

The examining board does not set any deadlines until the final months of the course, but as a department we require regular submissions of completed compositions every half-term; the performing skills of students will also be regularly assessed by the department during the course.

In addition, GCSE Music students have available at PHGS a wide range of extra-curricular ensembles, via which they can become better performers.

Music is widely regarded as providing many of the skills necessary for a rounded, creative personality. A practical course in Music develops many skills for which employers are looking, including adaptability, physical co-ordination, confidence, co-operation, and the ability to marshal relevant information to make decisions and the ability to be inventive. As well as these important life skills, the study of music enhances understanding and enjoyment of music, whatever one’s personal musical tastes or involvement.