Music at Key Stage 4 is an increasingly popular option choice at St George’s School. Students have the opportunity to choose to study the Edexcel GCSE Music or Rock School Level 2 Music Technology. Students who study GCSE Music or Music Technology are provided with free instrumental lessons.
Edexcel GCSE Music
The GCSE course focuses on three components, performing (30%), composing (30%) and listening and appraising (40%).
The performing and composing components of the course take place under controlled conditions and students must be attending regular instrumental/voice lesson in order to achieve well.
The listening and appraising component is a 1 hour 45-minute written examination, taken at the end of Year 11. The examination will test the students’ ability to respond to extracts of music, studied during the course.
In addition to instrumental/voice lessons, we also advise students to ensure that they belong to at least one musical ensemble e.g. choir, orchestra or rock school. The skills developed in these activities will benefit students in all areas of the GCSE Music Course.
Rock School Level 2 Certificate in Music Technology for Music Practitioners
The Rock School Music Practitioners qualifications are for Learners who want to develop their skills in the core elements of the Music Industry. These fully accredited qualifications are a real alternative for Learners who prefer a 'hands-on' approach to learning.
The qualifications are developed with Access to Music and industry professionals so that they are relevant to the current dynamics of the Music Industry. Music Practitioners qualifications are uniquely designed to have one core unit and an expansive choice of optional units in order to build a practical qualification that is specifically tailored to the Learner's strengths.
Homework
Homework is set in every Key Stage 4 Music lesson. It is designed to extend and consolidate learning. It will frequently involve learning facts about the set works and developing key skills in preparation for the externally assessed components of each course.
Useful links and Revision Guides
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/
The textbooks we use are produced by Pearson.
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Music Student Book
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Anthology of Music
Edexcel GCSE Music Revision Guide