GCSE MusicThe details

GCSE Music is split into 4 Areas Of Study (AOS).

AOS 1 – My Music (Focus on your instrument, or voice)

• You will be required to focus your study on the following details:

– Its range, characteristic timbre and technical strengths and limitations.

– It’s use in different genres, its impact on ensembles and natural techniques, including the use of ICT.

– The contextual influences on the way it is used, including the cultural environment.

AOS 2 – Shared Music (relationships between instruments, and their roles)

• You will study how musicians work together in different styles and cultural contexts, by exploring how a solo part is supported and enhanced by an accompaniment in:

Voice with single instrumental accompaniment.

Lead voice/instrument with ensemble. (e.g. orchestra)

AOS 3 – Dance Music

• Candidates should study the characteristic features and rhythmic patterns of three types of social dance drawn from contrasting social/historical/geographical contexts:

– Paired dance: – Waltz, Latin Dance (Tango, Salsa)

– Group/folk/synchronised dance: Line Dance (American, Irish Jig and Reel) and Bhangra.

– Improvised dance: Disco, Club Dance.

AOS 4 – Descriptive Music

• Candidates will study descriptive music from the 1800’s to the present day. Music is a highly expressive medium and candidates should explore how composers have used music to convey stories, paint pictures and set scenes through:

• Programme Music (Symphonic music from 1820 onwards)

• Film Music.

Breakdown of tasks:

Controlled Assessment (coursework)

Part A – Integrated Tasks 30% total

This covers AoS1, My Music. – You choose a piece of music to perform (15%); assess your performance, and include a composition brief (5%); and then complete a composition based on the piece (10%).

Part B – Practical Portfolio 30% total

You perform another piece - this time in a group. It’s linked to AoS 2 (15%); You compose another piece linked to AoS 2,3 or 4 (10%): and keep a logof your progress and add an evaluation at the end (5%)

Breakdown of tasks:

Exams – Both in Year 11

1. CREATIVE TASK

You have to compose a piece of music based on a stimulus set by the examiners which links to AoS 1,2 and 4. (15%)

2. LISTENING TEST

You listen to music from AoS 2,3 and 4 and answer questions on it. (25%)

Expectations Making music is part of your course, therefore you must:

1.Be having regular instrumental lessons.2.Attend choir3.If an instrumentalist, attend at least one instrumental group

Film Music - AoS 4

What purposes does music fulfil in a film?

Film Music - AoS 4Homework

Bring in a clip from a film that you particularly like the music to. YouTube is probably the easiest way to do this.Prepare a short talk for the class about:How music is used in the clip…The instrumentation, and why it is appropriate…A brief history of the composer…