Music
GCSE Music (Pearson Ed-Excel) Course Overview (Video)
GCSE Music (Pearson Ed-Excel) Course Overview (PDF)
Ed-Excel GCSE Music Documentation - click the link for more detailed course information
Live GCSE Music Class Resources on Firefly
GCSE Music Assessment at a Glance
Music is part of our everyday lives and makes a significant contribution to society. Through studying GCSE Music, students will gain an understanding of what musicians do, preparing them for the future with both transferable and musical skills.
The UK Creative Industry Council says:
Before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the UK music industry contributed £5.8bn to the UK economy in 2019, according to the Music By Numbers study published by UK Music...Employment in the UK music industry was a record 197,168 at the end of 2019.
GCSE Music is excellent preparation for anyone considering a future in the varied fields of the music industry.
This course aims to:
- engage actively in the process of music study
- develop performing skills individually and in groups to communicate musically with fluency and control of the resources used
- develop composing skills to organise musical ideas and make use of appropriate resources
- recognise links between the integrated activities of performing, composing and appraising and how this informs the development of music
- broaden musical experience and interests, develop imagination and foster creativity
- develop knowledge, understanding and skills needed to communicate effectively as musicians
- develop awareness of a variety of instruments, styles and approaches to performing and composing
- develop awareness of music technologies and their use in the creation and presentation of music
- recognise contrasting genres, styles and traditions of music, and develop some awareness of musical chronology
- develop as effective and independent learners with enquiring minds
- reflect on and evaluate their own and others’ music
- engage with and appreciate the diverse heritage of music, in order to promote personal, social, intellectual and cultural development.
Course Outline
| Year | Michaelmas Term | Lent Term | Trinity Term |
|---|---|---|---|
9 | Solo & Ensemble Performance
Set Work 1 - Afro-Celt (Fusion)
Set Work 2 - Queen (Vocal) | Solo Performance Recital
Set Work 3 - Samba (Fusion)
Composition 1A | Set Work 4 - Star Wars (Film)
Set Work 5 - Wicked (Musicals)
|
10 | Area of Study 4: World Music Fusions Set Works
Area of Study 3: Music for Stage and Screen Set Works
Solo Performance | Wider Listening
Area of Study 2: Instrumental Music
Composition Refinement | Area of Study 1: Vocal Music
Agency Project
Ensemble Performance
|
11 | Composition to Set Brief
Area of Study 4: World Music Fusions
Area of Study 3: Music for Stage and Screen
| Composition refinement
Performance submissions
Comparative Listening
Exam Preparation
| Revision and final exam preparation |
Set Works
Area of Study | Set Works |
Instrumental Music 1700–1820 | J.S. Bach: 3rd Movement from Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in D major L. van Beethoven: 1st Movement from Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor ‘Pathétique’ |
Vocal Music | H. Purcell: Music for a While |
Music for Stage and Screen | S. Schwartz: Defying Gravity (from the album of the cast recording of Wicked) J. Williams: Main title/rebel blockade runner (from the soundtrack to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) |
Fusions | Afro Celt Sound System: Release (from the album ‘Volume 2: Release’) Esperanza Spalding: Samba Em Preludio (from the album ‘Esperanza’) |
GCSE MUSIC GUIDE