Music - KS4

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Students at SJB study music to have a lifelong appreciation for music of different cultures and genres. Fun and enjoyment are at the heart of our curriculum and students will develop confidence, analytical skills and to collaborate through performance and composition work.

 

Exam Board: Eduqas

Eduqas Music GCSE Specification

Curriculum Map

 

Course overview:

Music GCSE is an adademic subject with many opportunities for creativity. Students study a range of different types of music and learn many transferrable and desirable skills through the subject, such as communication, patience and determination.

The Eduqas GCSE Music course offers a balanced mix of performing, composing, and listening skills. Students study a variety of musical styles, including classical, popular, traditional, and world music, gaining a broad understanding of music’s diversity. The course includes practical performances and composition tasks, alongside developing analytical skills through listening and appraising set pieces. This combination helps students build creativity, technical ability, and musical knowledge, preparing them for further study or enjoyment of music.

Component 1 - Performance: 30% of final grade

  • At least 2 performances totalling a minimum of 4 minutes 

  • At least 1 solo and 1 ensemble performance 

  • Ensemble playing for at least 1 minute 

Component 2 - Composition: 30% of final grade

  • 2 compositions 4-6 minutes combined 

  • 1 free composition – students choose their own brief 

  • 1 brief composition– students choose from a selection of 4 set by Eduqas 

Component 3 - Appraising: 40% of final grade

  • Written paper lasting 1 hour 15 minutes (approximately) 

  • 8 questions – 2 on each Area of Study 

  • AoS 1 – Musical Forms and Devices 

  • Aos 2 – Music for Ensemble 

  • AoS 3 – Film Music 

  • AoS 4 – Popular Music 

  • Set works in AoS 1 (Badinerie – J.S. Bach) and AoS 4 (Africa – Toto) 

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