Music

Exam Board: OCR

Music Curriculum Summary
Year 7 This section will be updated shortly.
Year 8
Year 9
GCSE General Information
GCSE Music is an academic GCSE. This subject is appealing to universities because it shows you can persevere in your chosen instrument and learn a wide variety of skills:It includes analysing music, the study of the history and context of a wide variety of musical styles, writing an essay, aural skills (identifying musical notes from listening), composing 2 pieces of music and performing on your chosen instrument. 

It is difficult to do well in music if you do not play an instrument and have weekly lessons. You will need to consider this if you wish to pursue GCSE music or go down the vocational route of Rock School Level 2.


What will I need to succeed?

  • To enjoy listening to and learning about many different styles of music.
  • To enjoy performing (singing or playing) in any style – it is crucial that you have instrumental lessons already or are willing to start them.
  • To enjoy creating and recording their own music.
  • To enjoy using music technology.
  • To enjoy working on your own and with others.

Expected Subject Content

The GCSE course follows WJEC (Welsh Board) Eduqas and focuses on the three main areas of listening, performing and composing.

The assessment for this course is weighted as follows:

Component 1: Performing – 30% of the final grade. Non-examined assessment (ie coursework marked internally)

  • Perform a minimum of two pieces on your instrument or voice. One of these must be as an ensemble (group). 
  • The total duration of the performance is 4-6 minutes.

Component 2:  Composing– 30% of the final grade. Non-examined assessment (ie coursework marked internally)

  • Compose 2 pieces of music, one of which must be to a brief.
  • The total duration must be 3-6 minutes.

Component 3: Appraising– 40%

A listening and writing examination at the end of Year 11 based upon specific pieces of music taken from a wide range of styles and musical concepts & skills gained during the course.

Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices 

Area of study 2: Music for Ensemble

Area of study 3: Film Music 

Area of study 4: Popular Music

What it can lead to after leaving Swanmore College?

You could go on to study A Level music, music technology or switch over to a vocational course such as Rock School Level 3 or BTEC music technology, sound production or performance.

GCSE music has lots of transferable skills including analysis, creativity, essay writing and group work. It is highly regarded in my career paths.

You can study music at University; anything from an academic degree at Oxford or Cambridge, a performing degree at a music college, such as The Royal College of Music in London or Trinity College London, to more vocational courses in performing, sound production or music technology.

Rock School Level 2

General Information
Rock School Level 2 is a new vocational course run by Rock School. A Rock School Level 2 is equivalent to a GCSE, but is not a GCSE. It is graded by pass, merit or distinction. A pass is the equivalent of a GCSE grade 4, a merit a 5, and a distinction is the equivalent of a GCSE grade 6.

If you play your instrument to a high level then you might be best doing GCSE, but if you are just starting out on your instrument or have not yet started playing one, then RSL Level 2 would suit you.

Do 6th Form Colleges accept it?

Most 6th Form Colleges accept 6 GCSEs 4+ and RSL Level 2 does not count towards that. It doesn’t mean you can’t do it though! Many vocational courses at Fareham College, Havant & South Downs College accept Rock School Level 2 if you were interested in doing sound production or sound engineering, performing on any rock/pop instruments or voice at college.

If you wanted to study A Level Music or Music Technology at either Peter Symonds or Barton Peveril, then you would need to have GCSE music or grade 5 in your chosen instrument and theory.


What will I need to succeed?

  • To enjoy listening to and learning about many different styles of music.
  • To enjoy performing (singing or playing) in any style – it is not crucial that you have instrumental lessons already
  • To enjoy creating and recording their own music.
  • To enjoy using music technology.
  • To enjoy working on your own and with others.

Expected Subject Content
Rock School Level 2 has 2 core, and 1 optional component:

Core:

Musical knowledge 

Live Musical Performance

Optional:

One of either:

  • Instrumental Study (learn an instrument in lessons)
  • Composing music (compose some music)
  • Sound recording (set up a recording and capture it)
  • Using a DAW (learn how to use a DAW)

 
Musical knowledge

Students study 2 contrasting musical styles and write about how they were born, who were the key musical contributors and then write about it, or record a vlog.

Students then analyse a chosen song of any genre and write about it, or record a vlog.

Live Musical Performance

Students plan their own performance either in groups or as individuals or as a combination of both. RSL gives us a brief, and we decide on what songs to perform. Students write their own practice plan and evidence their planning through a written task or a vlog. They also need to consider health and safety aspects of a performance. Students then perform something that is no more than 15 minutes to a live audience.

What it can lead to after leaving Swanmore College?

You could go on to study another vocational course such as Rock School Level 3 or BTEC music technology, sound production or performance.

 

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