Music department - GCSE

| back to Music | For more detailed information on the course please refer to the course handbook. (168KB pdf)

Course outline

Year 10	Year 11
Autumn Term -Music In Wales • Song – Pop, Art Song, Cerdd Dant, Folk • Harp Music • Orchestral Music • 2 main compositions • 2 Performing Assessments	Autumn Term – Music for Stage & Screen • Musicals e.g. Les Miserables • Film Music e.g. Jaws • 2 main compositions • 2 Performing Assessments
Spring Term - Musical Structure • Western Traditional Forms • Jazz & Rock • Fusion of Classical and Jazz/Rock • 2 main compositions • 2 Performing Assessments	Spring Term – Music for Special Occasions • Ceremonial Music • Funeral Music • Anthems • Submit Composing Portfolio (coursework) • 1 Performing Assessment • GCSE Externally Moderated Performing Exam
Summer Term – Music Evolution • Serial Music • Aleatoric Music • Minimalistic Music • Electronic Music • 2 main compositions • 2 Performing Assessments • End of Year Exam	Summer Term – Revision • Re-visit all 5 Areas of Study • GCSE Listening Exam

Homework

Frequency

Year 10	Year 11
• Pupils should practice their instrument on a nightly basis • Every 2 weeks – revision for listening test. This should not take more than half and hour. • Every 2/3 weeks – lunch hour	• Pupils should practice their instrument on a nightly basis • Every 2 weeks – revision for listening test. This should not take more than half and hour. • Every 2/3 weeks – lunch hour

Likely forms that homework will take

Year 10	Year 11
• Instrumental Practice • Vocab / Key words revision associated with each unit of work • Thorough preparation for performing assessment • Work on Composing during lunch hour using computer software	• Instrumental Practice • Vocab / Key words revision associated with each unit of work • Thorough preparation for performing assessment • Work on Composing during lunch hour using computer software

Student Grouping

Year 10	Year 11
Pupils choose music as one of their options. Pupils are taught in a mixed ability group.	Pupils choose music as one of their options. Pupils are taught in a mixed ability group.

Assessment Pattern

Year 10

Year 11

• Pupils are assessed on a regular basis on their listening skills and vocab associated with the specific units of work. • Pupils are assessed once every half term on their performing skills. Pupils always peer assess on this activity. • Pupils have a listening past paper during their end of year exam (June).

• Pupils are assessed on a regular basis on their listening skills and vocab associated with the specific units of work. • Pupils are assessed once every half term on their performing skills. Pupils always peer assess on this activity. • Pupils have a listening past paper during their Mock exam (December). • Feb / March- Externally Moderated Practical Exam • March / April – Submission of Composing Coursework • May – Listening Exam

Marking and Grading of Work

Year 10	Year 11
• Pupils are assessed using the WJEC marking schemes wherever possible. • Pupils peer assess their performances by using the WJEC Performing assessment criteria • Pupils are made aware of the WJEC Composing assessment criteria and are reminded to consider this during the reviews of their compositions. • All assessment criteria are included in the pupil handbook.	• Pupils are assessed using the WJEC marking schemes wherever possible. • Pupils peer assess their performances by using the WJEC Performing assessment criteria • Pupils are made aware of the WJEC Composing assessment criteria and are reminded to consider this during the reviews of their compositions. • All assessment criteria are included in the pupil handbook.

Recommended wider reading (and viewing)

Year 10	Year 11
• Reading over the handbooks associated with each area of study • Music GCSE Bitesize (general listening) • Listening to music specifically connected to the Areas of Study and the Indicative Listening list (see pupil handbook) • Going to see live performances both classical and popular • We encourage pupils to participate in ECA e.g. choir, orchestra and activities outside of school - SPYM	• Reading over the handbooks associated with each area of study • Music GCSE Bitesize (general listening) • Listening to music specifically connected to the Areas of Study and the Indicative Listening list (see pupil handbook) • Going to see live performances both classical and popular • We encourage pupils to participate in ECA e.g. choir, orchestra and activities outside of school - SPYM

How can you help your child?

Year 10	Year 11
• Take them to see live performances • Encourage them to practice nightly • Test them on their vocab	• Take them to see live performances • Encourage them to practice nightly • Test them on their vocab

For more detailed information on the course please refer to the course handbook. (168KB pdf)

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