Grade Descriptors

TERM 1.1

Content

Back to Basics

Students are introduced to all areas of the course and will undertake tasks based on all three areas of performance, composition and listening and appraising.

Performance – Solo performance pieces selected and worked on both in and out of lessons. Some ensemble worked looked with students selecting music in conjunction with the teacher.

Composition – Students will revisit how to write a good melody and fit it with correct harmonic ideas. This can be a song or more traditional piece.

Listening and Appraising – music reading basics, time signatures, common chord sequences, vocabulary for tempo, instruments, dynamics, texture, harmony, melody.

Skills

Performance and Composition – individual targets and feedback set for improvements depending on skill level of students work and genres chosen.
Listening and appraising – how to identify key features of music through listening.

 

TERM 1.2

Content

Performance – Solo performance pieces selected and worked on both in and out of lessons. Some ensemble worked looked with students selecting music in conjunction with the teacher.

Listening and Appraising

Baroque Music

Students will learn the context of their set work by Back. Musical elements linked to the first term’s work will be identified within the music. Additionally, The Baroque Era / Features of Baroque style, Concerto Grosso

Bach and Patronage, Time signatures i.e. 6/8 Baroque Dances, Fugues.

Skills

Performance individual targets and feedback set for improvements depending on skill level of students work and genres chosen.
Listening and Appraising – students will learn how to identify common features of Baroque music in familiar and unfamiliar music. Learning how to analyse a score and evaluate effectiveness of each composer using own analysis.

 

TERM 2.1

Content

GCSE Composition (Free Composition)

Students will compose a piece of music of their choice as part of controlled assessment. This will be 15% of their overall GCSE.

Skills

Performance and Composition – individual targets and feedback set for improvements depending on skill level of students work and genres chosen.

 

TERM 2.2

Content

GCSE Composition (Free Composition) (3 Weeks)

Students will compose a piece of music of their choice as part of controlled assessment. This will be 15% of their overall GCSE.

Music for Stage and Screen (3 weeks)

Students will learn how composers prepare music in detail for films. They will learn how their set works are composed and the context behind the music.

Skills

Performance and Composition – individual targets and feedback set for improvements depending on skill level of students work and genres chosen.
Listening and Appraising – students will learn how to identify common features of music in familiar and unfamiliar film music. Learning how to analyse a score and evaluate effectiveness of each composer using own analysis.

 

TERM 3.1

Content

Music for Stage and Screen

Students will learn how composers prepare music in detail for films. They will learn how their set works are composed and the context behind the music.

Skills

Performance and Composition – individual targets and feedback set for improvements depending on skill level of students work and genres chosen.
Listening and Appraising – students will learn how to identify common features of music in familiar and unfamiliar film music. Learning how to analyse a score and evaluate effectiveness of each composer using own analysis.

 

TERM 3.2

Content

Vocal Music

Students will learn how songs are written and set to music. They will learn how their set works are composed and the context behind the music.

Skills

Performance and Composition – individual targets and feedback set for improvements depending on skill level of students work and genres chosen.
Listening and Appraising – students will learn how to identify common features of music in familiar and unfamiliar vocal music. Learning how to analyse a score and evaluate effectiveness of each composer using own analysis.