Page 38 - Seaford GCSE Options 2024

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GCSE Music
You can live a long and productive life without music. You can also live a long
and productive life without ever going outside, going to the cinema, painting a
picture or falling in love.
If you choose to study music, you’re choosing to explore one of life’s most
profound forms of expression. How can it be that 12 simple notes can be put
together in ways that can make your heart beat faster, or reduce you to tears,
from your earliest childhood to your last day alive?
Incredibly, as humankind developed, the language of music also developed
patterns and rules that can be studied and mastered. Through listening,
practising and making music together, you can learn why a certain song
cuts right to your heart, while another leaves you unmoved. You will develop
problem-solving, analytical and communication skills that will last your whole life,
wherever it may lead.
Course Outline:
This course consists of
3 components as listed
below:
1. Performance (30%
of the course,
internally marked and
externally moderated
coursework)
• Students record a solo
performance which
must be of at least one
minute in duration,
and may comprise one
or more pieces
• Students record an
ensemble performance
which must be of at
least one minute in
duration, and may
comprise one or more
pieces
2. Composition (30%
of the course,
internally marked and
externally moderated
coursework)
• Students compose two
pieces, of at least three
minutes’ combined
duration.
• One composition is
to a brief set by the
examination board
and the other is a free
composition set by the
student
3. Appraising (40% of
the course, 1 hour
45 minutes written
examination)
• Students study 8 set
works, dictation and
musical analysis during
the course. The written
examination involves
listening questions
based on the set works
and one essay style
question comparing
a set work and an
unfamiliar piece
Examination Board:
Edexcel
Head of Department:
Mrs J Hawkins
“Music GCSE has been very interesting. I’ve loved learning more about different
composers and the ways in which they construct their pieces. I’ve learnt more
interesting ways of composing myself, and this has pushed me to explore how to
make pieces more interesting and exciting. Music GCSE is great fun and intriguing.
All the teachers are supportive and want you to do your best.”
Izzy Black