Key Stage 4

Why girls choose to study Music

Girls choose to study music if they:

• Like listening to all types of music and enjoy trying to understand them
• Enjoy making up their own pieces of music
• Are prepared to work hard to develop skills on their instrument

(As a guide they should be at Grade 4 standard in their final year of the course)

What will students study?

Core Ares of Study

• The theory and history of music
• Composition skills
• The distinctive features of musical styles and genres found in the “Special Areas of Study” as listed below

Special Areas of Study

• Orchestral Landmarks (The development of the orchestra and related music)
• Music for Film
• Music for Dance
• The Popular Song since 1960
• Music for Special Occasions

Course structure

Students will be required to:

• Study the development of the orchestra, dance music and the main genres of classical music over the past 300 years, as well as music for film and popular music since 1960
• Listen to extracts of music and answer questions using appropriate terms
• Compose your own music relating to the “Special Areas of Study” (see above)
• Perform as a soloist and in a group

Homework

• Theory and composition assignments
• Research tasks on topics covered in class using the internet and the AQA Student’s Guide.

Students taking this course will also be expected to practice their instruments on a daily basis in order to reach the required standard for their solo and ensemble performances

Assessment

• 25% - one composition for a special occasion
• 25% - one solo performance and one ensemble performance
• 25% - a second composition set by the exam board in the Autumn term of Year 11 consisting of 3 elements:

1. composing a piece of music to a set brief
2. performing and recording the composition
3. evaluating the process in exam conditions

• 25% - a written examination designed to test your knowledge and understanding of all theareas of study covered

Support Information

Useful website

• www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music

Essential text book

• “Student’s Guide to GCSE Music” (AQA)

Recommended equipment

• A good quality keyboard at home

For further information please see Mrs Sanger.