An introduction to

GCSE Music from

2009 onwards

By the end of this lesson you will be able to.....

Learn how the course is structured and

assessed.
Explore the different elements of the
course in particular what is required for
coursework.
Understand what the course deadlines
are and what will be studied in year 10.

Overview of the specification

Unit

Unit title

Method of
First
Weighting
Assessment Assessment

Structure of
Assessment

Performing
music

Internally
assessed/
externally
moderated

Summer
2011

30%

Two performances

Composing
music

Internally
assessed/
externally
moderated

Summer
2011

30%

Two compositions

Music Listening &

appraising

External

Summer
2011

40%

Written Paper with CD

Areas of Study
Western Classical music
1600 1899
Music in the twentieth century
Popular music in context
World music

Performing music Coursework

1 solo and 1 ensemble performance
Your performances MUST be on the
instrument you have lessons on at School
Free choice of performance pieces any style of
music (as agreed between you and your teacher)

Unit 1 Solo performing

A solo performance is considered to be a piece in
which the students part is undoubled and plays a
significant or leading role.
Unit 1 Ensemble performing
An ensemble performance is considered a
performance with one or more people where each
part is different (not for example someone singing
with piano accompaniment).

Unit 1 Performing Music requirements

For each performance (solo &

ensemble) you must provide:
A score of the music you are
performing
A recording of the piece done with a
music teacher present.

Unit 1 Performance Deadlines

You must submit a solo performance by:
February half term.
If you have been having instrumental lessons for some time,
you may have something already prepared. If this is the
case, you will have an opportunity to record in the week
before Christmas.
You must submit an ensemble performance towards the
end of year 10/beginning of year 11.
Before rehearsing your performances, check with Mr Swift
that what you are doing will match the requirements set by
Edexcel.

Unit 2 Overview
Composing music - Coursework
2 compositions sequenced on Cubasis
Each composition is linked to a different AoS
No requirement to write about compositions

The total duration of the Unit 2 submission should

be 2 4 mins (i.e. the combined length of both
compositions)

Unit 2 Links to Areas of Study

All compositions must relate to an Area of Study

AoS 1: Compositions may be in a form closely

associated with baroque, classical or romantic music.
They do not have to be in the style of these eras. It is
acceptable to produce a pop song in rondo form and
relate it to AoS 1.
AoS 2: Compositions may be in any of the styles
associated with 20th or 21st Century art music.
AoS 3: Any style of popular music from blues, jazz and
ragtime through to styles of the present day are
acceptable for this AoS.
AoS 4: Any world music style is acceptable for this AoS.
Any fusion of music from different cultures will also relate
to AoS 4.

Controlled Assessment
Unit 1
Performing
Music
Unit 2
Composing
Music

All recordings must be made in the presence of the

teacher. Each recording must be completed within
10 hours of supervised time.
All recordings and scores must be made in the
presence of the teacher. The score and final
recording for each composition must be
completed within 10 hours of supervised time.

Composition Coursework Deadlines

Composition 1

This composition will be based on works we have

studied/listened to in class and is due in by Easter in
Year 10.

Composition 2
This composition will also be based on works we
have studied in class but must be from a different
AOS. This will be due in by Christmas in Year 11.

Remember, you must hand in a score

of your composition along with a
recording of it. You are only allowed
10 hours of supervised time to
complete each piece.

Unit 3 Music Listening & Appraising

This unit is based on the four Areas of Study:
AOS 1:Western Classical music 1600 1899
AOS 2:Music in the twentieth century
AOS 3: Popular music in context
AOS 4: World music
Each AOS has three set works.
You are assessed on your understanding
through the listening exam in year 11 lasting
90 mins

Area of Study 1: Set Works

And The Glory of

the Lord
by G. F. Handel

1st Movement
from Symphony
no. 40 by
Mozart

Prelude no. 15 in
Db by Chopin

Area of Study 2: Set Works

Peripetie from
3rd Five Orchestral
Pieces by
Schoenberg

Somethings
Coming from
West Side Story
by Leonard
Bernstein

3rd Movement from

Electric Counterpoint
by Steve Reich

Area of Study 3: Set Works

All Blues by
Miles Davis

Grace by
Jeff Buckley

Why does my
heart feel so
bad?
By Moby

Area of Study 4: Set Works

Skye Waulking
Song by
Capercaille

Rag Desh by
3 different
artists

Yiri by
Koko

Unit 3 What are set works?

A set work is a piece of music that we will study
in class using the original score. We do this as
this forms your listening exam in year 11. All the
questions relate directly to the set works.
There are 3 works from each Area of Study
(totally 12 altogether).
It would be useful to get copies of each work to
listen to. See Mr Swift for further details.

Is unit 3 just listening then?

NO!

Unit three forms the basis of the course. Your

performances may be influenced in someway with the set
works you have listened to.

You may also be influenced by a particular composer we

have studied to compose in a particular style.

It wont just be listening every lesson. Within this, there will

be performances we do as a class as well as composition
activities.

Course layout Year 10

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Back to basics
looking at Music
theory
Begin study of set
works from AOS1
Begin preparation
for Solo performance
with instrumental
teacher
Begin work on
Composition 1

Continue study of
set works within
AOS2
Record solo
performance by
February Half Term
Continue with
Composition 1
ready to submit by
Easter

Continue with set

works in AOS3
Begin working on
Ensemble
performance with
instrumental teacher
Begin Composition 2

We may change the order of how we study the set works

Any questions?

By the end of this lesson you will be able to.....

Learn how the course is structured and

assessed.
Explore the different elements of the
course in particular what is required for
coursework.
Understand what the course deadlines
are and what will be studied in year 10.