Year 11 Music
GCSE Music
SUMMARY OF SUBJECT CONTENT:
There are four Areas of Study with two set works across course; this enables students to have a clear focus point for their study and supports the research into the various features and characteristics of each genre. Below is a grid showing the four Areas of Study with an overview of what is learnt in each one.
Area of Study 1 |
Area of Study 2 |
Area of Study 3 |
Area of Study 4 |
|
Musical Forms and Devices |
Music for Ensemble |
Film Music |
Popular Music
|
|
Set Work and overview of learning |
Overview of learning |
Overview of learning |
Set Work and overview of learning |
|
Set work: Bach’s Badinerie
Development of Western Classical Music
Structure and Form
Musical Devices |
Sonority, texture and Timbre
Chamber Music
Musical Theatre
Jazz and Blues |
How elements are used to create different moods and effects
Minimalism
How film music is created |
Set work: Toto’s Africa
Structure and harmony of popular music
Fusion
Pop melodies |
Specification at a glance
Exam Board: EDUQAS
Specification Code: C66QS
Units |
Weighting |
Completion Time |
When |
Notes |
|
Unit 1 Performing Music |
30% (15% solo) (15% ensemble) |
N/A |
During Year 11 |
Performing Skills – Internally assessed and externally moderated |
|
Unit 2 Composing Music |
30%
|
Minimum of five hours under Controlled Assessment |
During Year 11 |
Composing Skills – Internally assessed and externally moderated |
|
Unit 3 Listening and Appraising Music |
40% |
1 hour 15 minute written paper |
June of Year 11 |
Listening Skills |
What did my child study during Year 10?
|
|
Performing |
Composing |
Appraising |
|
Autumn |
Solo performance prep |
Song writing Extending and altering chord progressions |
Elements of music Analysis of set works
|
|
Spring |
Solo performance prep and assessment |
Melody writing Harmony Compose using minimalist techniques |
AoS 3: Music for Film |
|
Summer |
Solo performance and assessment |
Arranging Developing ideas How to structure a composition Free composition begins |
AoS4: Popular Music Set work study AoS 1: Musical Forms and Devices Set work study |
Key skills and concepts learnt in each area of the course:
Performing |
Appraising |
|
Rhythm and pitch reading Instrumental technique Expression when performing Tone production Reading cues (key sig, time sig, dynamics, tempo markings etc.)
|
Learning how to identify describe and evaluate musical features in pieces from the AoS outlined above: Melody: shape, intervals, phrase structure Instrumentation and Sonority: Identification and understanding instrumental techniques Rhythm, tempo and metre: Identifying time signatures and tempo Harmony and Tonality: Learning how to identify key signatures. Hearing chord progression and tonality
Identifying Texture, Dynamics Articulation and Structure Being able to place music in time and occasion. Understanding why composers and artists have used certain techniques and devices
Analysis of set works |
Composing |
|
|
How to generate and develop musical ideas Creating a chord progression Extending and developing harmony How parts work together Idiomatic writing Writing for Drum Kit
|
What will my child study during Year 11?
|
|
Performing |
Composing |
Appraising |
|
Autumn |
Solo performance assessment and ensemble work |
Recap Year 10 skills Developing Textures Writing Cadences Work on free composition |
Re-cap elements of Music AoS 1: Musical Forms and Devices Set Work AoS 2: Music for ensemble Revision |
|
Spring |
Solo performance Assessment completed |
Counter melody and arranging Composition completed |
Recap of each AoS and set work |
|
Summer |
N/A |
N/A |
Revision |
Performing |
Appraising |
|
Rhythm and pitch reading Instrumental technique Expression when performing Tone production Reading cues (key sig, time sig, dynamics, tempo markings etc.) |
Advancing students skills of how to identify describe and evaluate musical features in pieces from the AoS outlined above:
Melody: shape, intervals, phrase structure Instrumentation and Sonority: Identification and understanding instrumental techniques Rhythm, tempo and metre: Identifying time signatures and tempo Harmony and Tonality: Learning how to identify key signatures. Hearing chord progression and tonality Texture, Dynamics, Articulation and Structure
Detailed comparisons of the elements within pieces and with contrasting pieces Being able to place music in time and occasion. Understanding why composers and artists have used certain techniques and devices
Deeper analysis of the set works |
Composing |
|
|
How to add in cadences and develop harmony How to develop texture Idiomatic writing Arranging skills How to develop and polish ideas |
How will my child be assessed and how will I know how well they are doing in Music in Year 11?
The following areas will be assessed to show us a working grade for each student in year 11:
- Performance Assessment: Students will be asked to record their performance piece regularly. They will be marked using the GCSE assessment criteria and given their mark and teacher comments as feedback. Students are encouraged to practise regularly (3/4times a week as a minimum) to prepare for the assessment. They are also encouraged to show their progress regularly by sharing their work in lesson time.
- Composing Assessment: Composing work will be monitored weekly and students will receive feedback each composition lesson. Their skills will be matched against GCSE assessment criteria. Marks will be given at the end of the Autumn term as if their free composition were finished. Time will be given to improve work in the Spring Term
- Appraising: Listening skills will be assessed regularly through listening activities done in class. They will have a full mock exam in the Spring term.
What homework will my child be expected to do in Year 11 in Music?
Students are encouraged to practise their instrument or voice at least 3 to 4 times a week.
They will also be asked to complete listening tasks and revision tasks at home. Homework will be given once every four lessons and will often be activities from focus on sound: http://portal.focusonsound.com This website can be accessed through their school log in and password.
How can I support my child to do well in Dance during Year 11?
Encourage your child to practise their instrument or voice regularly - this is vital to ensure good grades. Practising takes great discipline so incentives or the option to practise instead of doing a household chore might work for your child.
Listen to a wide variety of music. Talk together about the different elements. Can they hear the chords changing? Can they identify the time signature or if it is in a major or minor key? What instruments are being used? Can they tell you when the piece was written and what for? Can they name a possible composer or artist?
Time set aside for revision, particularly of music theory and the set works. Can you test them on key knowledge and concepts?
My child is struggling during the course, what additional help is available to help them keep up?
Come along to catch up sessions, join an ensemble/extra-curricular group and catch up on theory by using websites suggested throughout the course.
Updated July 2023
