28th January 2021D Leighton

Course Details:

Qualification: GCSE Music
Exam Board: WJEC Eduqas
Specification: C660QS

Qualification: Level 2 Certificate in Performance for Music Practitioners
Exam Board: RSL (Rock School Limited)
Specification: 600/6655/6

Subject Leader: Mr C. Smith

What are the Music Courses?

Learners will study either GCSE Music or Level 2 Certificate in Performance for Music Practitioners. Mr Smith will advise individual learners on the most appropriate qualification.

The aim of both courses is to give learners the opportunity to:

  • Develop their understanding and appreciation of a range of different kinds of music
  • Extend their own musical interests and develop their chosen instrument skills
  • Develop a range of life-skills and personal attributes including critical thinking, team working and independent learning skills

Course Overview

In the video below, Mr Smith, Subject Leader for Music, explains the different topics you will study on the two Music courses:

 

The aim of both courses is to give learners the opportunity to:

  • Develop their understanding and appreciation of a range of different kinds of music
  • Extend their own musical interests and develop their chosen instrument skills
  • Develop a range of life-skills and personal attributes including critical thinking, team working and independent learning skills

Each qualification is divided into three sections as follows:

GCSE Music Level 2 Certificate in Performance 
Performance Learners will perform one solo piece and one ensemble (group) piece during the course and can perform on any chosen instrument or voice. This unit is worth 30% of the overall marks. Learners complete a full live performance project, including planning, rehearsing, performing and evaluating its success.
This unit is worth 40% of the overall marks.
Creating Digital Graphics Learners will compose two pieces of music – one will be a response to a brief set by WJEC, the other will be free. These pieces can be in any style, but must each relate to a different area of study. This unit is worth 30% of the overall marks. Learners will create and evaluate their own song or instrumental piece demonstrating their understanding of a chosen musical style. This unit is worth 40% of the overall marks.
Listening, Appraising and Musical Knowledge This unit is assessed via a listening exam with eight questions in total covering: Musical Forms and Devices, Music for Ensemble, Film Music & Popular Music. Two of the questions are based on extracts set by WJEC – Africa by Toto and Badinerie by J.S. Bach. This unit is worth 40% of the overall marks. Evidence for this unit can take the form of written work, video presentation, blog, vlog or podcast. Learners will be able to identify and describe features of two musical styles, and recognise and discuss musical elements. This unit is worth 20% of the overall marks.

All music learners will receive an additional 30 minutes of instrumental/vocal tuition per week

Suitability and Progression

GCSE Music Level 2 Certificate in Performance 
Suitability This course is suitable for students who already receive instrumental/vocal tuition and who are currently performing at a standard equivalent to grade 2. Any learners interested in expanding their understanding of music theory should consider GCSE Music. The RSL course is designed for learners with an interest in any style of popular music and a desire to improve their performing skills. There is no minimum standard. Any learners with an interest in practical music should consider this Level 2 qualification.
Progression GCSE Music is usually a pre-requisite for A-Level Music courses and careers that require an understanding of music theory. Level 3 performing arts courses, practical music industry jobs and other performance qualifications.

The courses will be taught either in separate cohorts, or concurrently as a single group. The teaching and learning methods for the courses are a mixture of teacher directed, independent learning and instrumental self-study.

Learners can attend after school support sessions, instrumental lessons and a wide range of musical activities to enhance their performance skills.  There are opportunities to take on a variety of roles in school concerts and productions throughout the year, performances in which can contribute to the qualifications.

Career Opportunities in Music

Learners may progress into a range of careers both inside and outside of music.
Music students are extremely attractive to employers and can follow a career in almost any field thanks to the transferable skills they acquire during the course.
Examples of available careers include publishing, the media, education, arts administration, music therapy, banking, law, public services and the charity sector.

Got A Question?

If you have a question about Year 9 Music courses you can use the form below to contact Mr Smith, Subject Leader for Music.