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A-level Music

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GCSE Music AQA – Revision Content

Browse Study Rocket's GCSE Music AQA free revision notes.

GCSE Music AQA – Topics

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Exam Board and Specification Code: AQA (8271)

The Course The College has chosen the AQA Music GCSE programme: a comprehensive syllabus, giving the student a broad knowledge of the rudimentaries of Music. The various components develop pupils’ musical strengths and introduce them to new aspects of musical styles and techniques.

The course is academic as well as creative,  leading smoothly into the AQA Music A Level and preparing the student for the Edexcel Music Technology A Level. 

The Music courses demonstrate the creative and academic capabilities of the student, something that is held in great esteem by top Colleges and Universities.

Students will be required to submit two compositions. The first must respond to an externally set brief; the piece is a free composition of the pupils’ choosing.

What skills do I need? This course is accessible to anyone with an instrument, including voice, and a basic understanding of Music.

How is the course assessed? Component 1: Understanding music (40%)

Students will study and investigate a wide variety of music, including Western classical between 1650-1910; Pop Music; Traditional and World Music and Western music since 1910. Pupils will take a listening paper at the end of the course in which they have to respond to questions of extracts played on a CD. There will also be questions on a variety of set works by composers such as Haydn and Mozart; extracts from Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Little Shop of Horrors; studying pieces by Santana and Paul Simon; listening to music incl: African/Caribean/Latin/Blues.

Component 2: Performing music (30%)

Students will be required to perform a solo piece and an ensemble piece (minimum of two players). This can be singing, accompanied by piano, drums, violin, guitar, etc. These are assessed internally at any time during the course. The piece must be 4 minutes long, of which at least 1 minute must be the ensemble piece. Students may repeat a piece for assessment should they wish to do so. The performances are marked internally and moderated by AQA.

Component 3: Composing music (30%)

Students will be required to submit two compositions. The second piece is a free composition of the pupils’ choosing. Compositions can be in variety of styles using either notation (Sibelius) or sequencing (LogicPro) software. The compositions are marked internally and moderated by AQA.

The GCSE course will be condensed into 1 year but follow the 2 year programme.

On this course, you will benefit from:

· Receive 1-1 or small group tuition to work on performance and composition

· Be given opportunities to perform in and around the College

· Learn critical analysis, evaluation skills and essay writing

· Attend concerts/gigs throughout the academic year

Reading AQA GCSE Music Study Guide: Andrew S Coxon (Rhinegold Education: ISBN 978-1785581526)

AQA GCSE Anthology of Music: ed. Chris Fish (https://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-Anthology-Music-Chris-Fish/dp/0571541135)

AQA GCSE Music Revision Guide Paperback: David Ventura (https://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-GCSE-Music-Revision-Guide/dp/1785581546)

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Course Choices Video

What is our curriculum intent?

The AQA GCSE music course is a predominantly practical subject that explores a wide range of musical genres and styles. Students will develop new techniques within performance, composition and listening skills.

How do we implement our curriculum?

The programme of study is designed to encourage students to engage critically and creatively with a wide range of music and musical contexts. Lessons are predominantly practical, involving performance and composition, alongside aural analysis of a variety of music and the development of listening techniques.

Who is this course for?

The music course is aimed at students with experience in playing an instrument and who can confidently read music. Much of the teaching will require students to understand traditional notation. Students who have learnt to play a musical instrument and taken examinations on their instrument / voice will be ideally suited to this course as they will have experience already in the performance aspect of the course (which makes up 30% of the overall assessment). Students who have achieved higher associated board grades should give this course serious consideration as it will develop their all-round musicianship skills in areas such as composing and listening.

Students who have a real interest in using music technology for recording and producing music may opt to be assessed on their performance ability on a chosen instrument alongside the use of technology in delivering a performance.

What skills will you learn?

The skill of aurally analysing music is a key focus of the course; students will learn how to analyse music through an understanding and application of key musical elements and terminology.

Students develop composition skills through initial short tasks focussing on particular aspects of composition, thereafter being supported in the application of these techniques as they work creatively and independently on their individual composition briefs.

The skills developed in the process of performing music are highly valuable and transferable: learning a piece of music, rehearsing, refining, performing and then critically reflecting upon it is a process that develops character and perseverance, alongside students making significant progress on their chosen instrument/voice. The experience of performing to an audience and working collaboratively with others in ensemble performances increases students’ confidence as performers and general musicianship.

Whether music is pursued beyond KS4 or not, the skills developed through GCSE music are highly valuable and transferable.

How do we measure the impact of the course?

GCSE music is assessed both practically and theoretically with students delivering performances and submitting compositions as well as completing a listening examination at the end of Year 11. The course is delivered in 3 components:

Component 1: Understanding Music

What’s assessed: Listening and contextual understanding.

How it’s assessed: Exam paper (1 hr 30) at the end of Year 11 comprising of listening exercises responding to previously unheard excerpts of music followed by longer written responses to questions on study pieces from two Areas of Study.

The study piece for Area of Study 1 (Western classical tradition 1650-1910 is Mozart’s clarinet concerto in A minor, 3 rd movement, rondo.

The study pieces for Area of Study 2 (Popular Music) are 3 tracks from the musical Little Shop of Horrors or 3 songs by the popular musician Paul Simon.

This component is worth 40% of GCSE marks.

Component 2: Performing Music

What’s assessed: Performances as an instrumentalist / vocalist or via technology

How it’s assessed: Students perform for a minimum of 4 minutes as a soloist and as part of an ensemble (at least 1 minute of ensemble performance). Performances are internally marked and externally moderated.

This component is worth 30% of GCSE marks.

Component 3: Composing Music

What’s assessed: Composition

How it’s assessed:  Two compositions internally marked and externally moderated – one must be in response to an externally set brief (Composition 1), the other a free composition (Composition 2)

Controlled assessment

Compositions must be completed under supervised conditions in school to ensure that the work submitted can be confidently authenticated as their own. Similarly, assessments of performances must be undertaken with the class teacher present.

What we teach when

How can students be supported through learning at home?

Although coursework must be carried out under supervision, preparation for the coursework elements of the course can be carried out at any time. Students will therefore be expected to practise for their performances at home, with the support of their instrumental / vocal teacher where appropriate. Lesson resources to support homework tasks and revision will be made available on Firefly for students to revisit and utilise.

What extra opportunities to learn are available?

In order to develop all round musicianship skills, students are encouraged to take part in the extra-curricular activities available to them. For more information on the options available please contact a member of the music team or see the ‘Music X-tra’ noticeboard in the department.

There is also a music GCSE support drop in session on Wednesdays after school for students to continue working on coursework or for extra teacher support.

How are students grouped?

Students are grouped in mixed ability classes.

What websites do we recommend?

The new examination board specification can be found at:

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/music/gcse/music-8271

Students looking to consolidate, enrich or extend their knowledge and understanding might start at:

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zpf3cdm

Contact: 

Miss L Laird - [email protected]

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For copyright reasons the audio for past papers is only available for centre staff to download from the secure website.

The composing briefs are available to download from the secure website. Updated logs sheets and forms for both Composing and Performing are now available to download from this page.

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The Eduqas GCSE in Music offers a broad and coherent course of study which encourages learners to:

• Engage actively in the process of music study
• Develop performing skills individually and in groups to communicate musically with fluency and control of the resources used
• Develop composing skills to organise musical ideas and make use of appropriate resources
• Recognise links between the integrated activities of performing, composing and appraising and how this informs the development of music
• Broaden musical experience and interests, develop imagination and foster creativity
• Develop knowledge, understanding and skills needed to communicate effectively as musicians
• Develop awareness of a variety of instruments, styles and approaches to performing and composing
• develop awareness of music technologies and their use in the creation and presentation of music
• Recognise contrasting genres, styles and traditions of music, and develop some awareness of musical chronology
• Develop as effective and independent learners with enquiring minds
• Reflect upon and evaluate their own and others’ music
• Engage with and appreciate the diverse heritage of music, in order to promote personal, social, intellectual and cultural development.

The Eduqas music GCSE course encourages an integrated approach to the three distinct disciplines of performing, composing and appraising through four interrelated areas of study. The four areas of study are designed to develop knowledge and understanding of music through the study of a variety of genres and styles in a wider context. The Western Classical Tradition forms the basis of Musical Forms and Devices (area of study 1), and learners should take the opportunity to explore these forms and devices further in the other three areas of study. Music for Ensemble (area of study 2) allows learners to look more closely at texture and sonority. Film Music (area of study 3) and Popular Music (area of study 4) provide an opportunity to look at contrasting styles and genres of music.

There are no previous learning requirements for this specification. Any requirements set for entry to a course based on this specification are at the school/college’s discretion. This specification builds on subject content which is typically taught at key stage 3 and provides a suitable foundation for the study A level music .

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