Leaving Cert Subject Choices

 3 main parts of the course

 Listening, Composing and Performing.

 You will also do a review of basic music

theory (start of 5th year), instruments,
history, Irish music and form and structure
(Junior Cert)
 4 Set Works (Set A)

 Change every 2 years (incoming 5th years, Set B)

 Bach – cantata BWV 78

 Tchaikovsky- Romeo and Juliet Overture

 Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody

 Barry- Piano Quartet No.1

 Aural Skills (general analysis question from j.cert)

 Irish music
 Melody Writing

 16 bar melody

 Major and minor keys

 Up to 4 sharps and flats

 Chord indications and bass notes

 Continuation from Junior Cert Backing

Chords question.

 Root position and first inversion chords

 Major and minor keys

 Up to 4 sharps and flats

 50% of Leaving cert exam depending on
option you choose

 Different options:
 Most popular choices are:

 8 pieces on two different instruments

 4 pieces on one instrument and music technology

 Instruments
 Composers
 Dance Types
 Song Tradition
 Influences on Irish Music
 Changes in Irish Music
 Position in society today
 Inputting a score to the computer

 Using ‘finale’ or ‘sibelius’ software

 Adding musical edits to the music

 Paper 1 (Listening) 100m
 Q.1. Set Work- Serious
Detail required
 Q.2. Set Work
 Q.3. Set Work
 Q.4. Set Work
 Q.5. Irish Music
 Q.6.Aural Skills (general
analysis)
 Paper 2 (Composing) 100m
 Melody Writing
 Harmony/Backing Chords
 Practical 200m
 Two weeks either side of
Easter (Core Practical
100m)
 Elective, done with
practical
 Leaving Cert syllabus has 3 main areas
 1. Performing - 25 % or 50 %
 2. Composing – 25 %
 3. Listening – 25 %

 At higher level an additional elective is taken

– 25 %
or
The performance can take 50 % of the mark.
 Yes

 Ability to read music - important

 A good standard of performance (Grade 5)

 Good knowledge of Music theory, key

signatures, major and minor scales an
advantage.
 General Information
• Equal to other subjects for points

• Must have an ear for music

• Must study if thinking of studying music

in college

• Music in 3rd level may require an

entrance/ performing exam. Different
colleges have their own requirements so
please check.
 Music is a universal language that is spoken by
billions of people on a daily basis.
 Music is mathematical, how composers write
songs is based on timing and rhythm and the
music that you hear before you is the finished
product.
 Music is history, it tells stories of the past, the
future and the present. Many of the great
historic achievements have been celebrated
through music.
 Music is used in every aspect of life, physical
activity, radio, television and is a unique way of
expressing emotion and creativity.
 Music Teacher
 Sound Production / Mixing (Studio)
 Composer
 Performer (Singing)
 Instrumental Performer
 Radio / T.V. work
 Music Critic
 Sales (Music Industry)
Percentage

H1
H2
H3
H4
H5
H6
Percentage

O1
O2
O3
O4
O5
O6