Music at Key Stage 5
Music at Key Stage 5 consists of:
Unit 1: Performing Music 30%
This unit gives students opportunities to perform as soloists and/or as part of an ensemble. Teachers and students can choose music in any style. Any instrument(s) and/or voice(s) are acceptable as part of a 8 minute assessed performance. Level: Grade 7 Standard. Assessment is an eight minute assessed performance (approximately 2 – 3 pieces).
Unit 2: Composing 30%
This unit encourages students to develop their composition skills leading to the creation of ONE piece in response to a chosen brief/free composition and ONE Arrangement. Assessment: 1 compositions (4½ minutes minimum composition time). Arrange 1 piece of music to a stimulus (Arrangement task set in April of exam year)
Unit 3: APPRAISING MUSIC (Listening & analysis) 40%
This unit focuses on listening to familiar music and understanding how it works. 6 Areas of study with 2 set works in each covering Classical Vocal and Instrumental Music, Music for Film, Popular Music and Jazz, Fusions and New Directions. Set works provide the focus for the two sections, through listening and studying scores. Students learn how to identify important musical features and social and historical context.
Assessment is through a 2 hour examination paper.
Section A: Listening (3 Questions on individual set works similar to GCSE and 1 on a dictation exercise).
Section B: Analysis (2 essay questions. One on an unfamiliar piece of music and one relating to the set works).
Skills developed over the course:
- Communication
- Presentation
- Creativity
- Analysis, evaluation, discussion and comparison
- Critical listening
- Research
- Team work
- Time management
- Working under pressure
- Independent learning
- Self motivation
