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Contact DetailsKS4 Music
Curriculum Content
The Music course covers three main areas of activity: Performing, Composing
and Listening.
Performance involves both solo performance and performance as part of a group. The course is arranged to cater for a wide range of performing ability.
Composing gives pupils a chance to write their own music in their own style. Pupil compositions will vary from simple melodies or keyboard pieces to quite complex works for several instruments or voices. In the past many such pieces have been good enough to be performed in school concerts.
In Listening, candidates acquire a general background knowledge of music which enables them to show their musical perception when answering questions about the music they hear in the examination, which covers classical, ethnic and popular styles.
There are five areas of study for the course: Music for Film, Music for Dance, Music for Special Events, Orchestral Landmarks and The Popular Song since 1960.
Teaching Methods
A mixture of styles is used including teacher discourse, practical performance, individual study, listening and discussion.Resources
At this level instrumentalists will already have instruments of their own or supplied by the school, and both instrumentalists and singers will receive specialist tuition from the school peripatetic staff or outside teachers.In class lessons, candidates will use pianos and keyboards (for composing), record player and musical scores (for listening) and tape recorder (for recording performances and compositions).
Skills and Knowledge
All these activities should lead to a deeper understanding of sense and meaning in music. In particular candidates aim to be skilled performers, resourceful composers, and perceptive listeners.Pupils who are interested in music and who can play an instrument or sing should find that the course is able to cater to wide range of tastes and interests, whilst enabling them to develop their existing musical skills.
Assessment
Pupils are entered for the AQA examination.Composing is assessed on two compositions, at least one of which is based on the Music for Special Events section of the curriculum. These two compositions together comprise 25% of the marks.
Candidates must also submit a further composition which must be accompanied by a recording of performance of the work based one of the remaining four areas of study. This assignment is set by the board in the Spring term of Year 11 and comprises 25% of the marks.
Performing is assessed on one solo and one ensemble performance, can be assessed at any stage of the course and comprises 25% of the marks.
Listening is assessed by means of a written paper of 1 hour 15 minutes. This is the only written paper. All five areas of study will be included in the test. This section also comprises 25% of the marks.
Pupils who may be interested in following this course should see Mr Brown directly, as soon as possible.