Years 10 and 11 Music Curriculum Plan
Overview
Unit 1. Listening to and appraising music 42701 [20% of total marks]
Assessment is through a terminal examination marked by AQA examiners. Candidates respond to questions based on short musical excerpts drawing on music from all five Areas of Study. Candidates explore these AoS through three Strands of Learning:
Areas of Study
AoS1 Rhythm & Metre
AoS2 Harmony & Tonality
AoS3 Texture & Melody
AoS4 Timbre & Dynamics
AoS5 Structure & Form
Strands of Learning
a) The Western Classical Tradition
b) Popular Music of the 20th & 21st centuries
c) World Music
The following link contains a comprehensive site full of useful musical terms. The BBC GCSE Bitesize revision site is also very useful.
Accessing musical examples - FREE via the Internet
Pupils should become familiar with music from many periods and genres. It is recommended that pupils listen to a wide range of music. By downloading the programme here pupils will be able to listen to a whole range of music freely on their home PCs. Friends and parents may also be interested in this useful resource!
Unit 2. Composing* and appraising music 42702 [20% of total marks]
Up to 20 hours Supervised Time for the composition and 2 hours Controlled Time for the appraisal (40 marks) Externally assessed.
A. Candidates compose one piece of music which explores two or more of the 5
Areas of Study, and links to one of the 3 strands announced annually by AQA (10%),
B. Candidates appraise the process and outcome (10%)
Unit 3. Performing music 42703 [40% of total marks]
Controlled Assessment (60 marks). Internally assessed and externally moderated
Candidates offer one individual performance (acoustic or technology-based) and
one group performance. The recordings can be made at any time during the
course.
Unit 4. Composing* music [20% of total marks]
25 hours Controlled Assessment (30 marks). Internally assessed and externally moderated. Candidates compose one piece of music which explores two or more of the 5 Areas of Study in any style or genre of the candidate's choosing.
* The department uses Sibelius 4 software for all its composing requirements.
The Composing units are taught in lesson time under controlled conditions. It is assumed that pupils will, in addition, be having some form of instrumental or vocal tuition in order to develop their performance skills outside the classroom. However, the Director of Music will monitor pupils' progress in this area.
Composition (Units 2 & 4)
During the first term in Year 10, pupils study rudimentary theory. This includes:
• Basic notation (treble and bass clef and rhythm).
• Key signatures.
• Time signatures.
• Chords (inc. inversions).
• Musical devices: drones/pedal notes/ostinato.
• Expression.
• Structure (binary and ternary form).
In the second term pupils begin to construct melodic phrases with the addition of simple harmony working towards a short composition.
During the third term, work begins on the first piece of compositional coursework.
Performing
It is required that each pupil performs to the Director of Music formally or informally at least once each term. In Year 11, pupils are also expected to perform in a small ensemble. Performances may be recorded and internally assessed at any time during the two years. A well-played Grade IV (ABRSM) performance can secure marks in the higher tier band. It is expected that pupils will join at least one of the many ensembles/choirs in order to help develop performance skills.
The Director of Music can be contacted at any time by email.
