Page 38 - Seaford GCSE Options 2025

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:
duration, and may
comprise one or more
pieces
45 minutes written
examination)
This course consists of
3 components as listed
• Students study 8 set
below:
2. Composition (30%
works, dictation and
of the course,
musical analysis during
1. Performance (30%
internally marked and
the course. The written
of the course,
externally moderated
examination involves
internally marked and
coursework)
listening questions
externally moderated
based on the set works
• Students compose two
coursework)
and one essay style
pieces, of at least three
question comparing
• Students record a solo
minutes’ combined
a set work and an
performance which
duration.
unfamiliar piece
must be of at least one
• One composition is
minute in duration,
to a brief set by the
and may comprise one
Examination Board:
examination board
or more pieces
and the other is a free
Edexcel
• Students record an
composition set by the
ensemble performance
student
Head of Department:
which must be of at
least one minute in
3. Appraising (40% of
the course, 1 hour
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.”
Hadley Holden
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