Music

GCSE Music is an exciting and engaging way for students to continue their studies after KS3. At Hendon, we follow the Eduqas GCSE specification. The course is open to all, but it is important for students to consider that, by the time they reach Year 11, they need to be able to play an instrument/sing to Grade 3 standard or above.

The course is divided into three main areas: performing, composing and listening.

Performing (30% NEA)
For the performance element, students need to play or sing two pieces. They may play one solo and one ensemble or two ensemble pieces. One of their pieces must link to an area of study (see information on appraising. Their two pieces should last for a combined length of 4 minutes, minimum. They will be marked on their accuracy, fluence, technique, tone, projection and expression.

Composing (30% NEA)
Students need to submit two compositions: one free composition and one that has been written as a response to a given brief. The compositions must have a combined length of 3 minutes, minimum. They should show creativity, development of ideas, technical control and coherence.

Listening (40% 1hr 15mins Exam)
Students will answer questions on music from four areas of study: (1) musical forms and devices, (2) music for ensemble, (3) film music, (4) popular music. Students will study two set works, one of which is linked to area of study one and the other to area of study 4.

An overview of the KS4 curriculum is shown below

		Listening	Composing	Performing
Year 10	Autumn 1	Review musical elements (and related terminology) and aspects of staff notation from KS3	Introduction to composing software Simple composing tasks (e.g. constructing simple chord progressions, writing simple melodies)	Establish requirements for GCSE performing Begin selecting pieces to perform Class performance of Rolling in the Deep
	Autumn 2	Introduction to area of study 1: Forms and Devices	Composing task in binary and ternary form. Composing task in variation form	Class performance of AoS1 set work
	Spring 1	Introduction to area of study 4: Popular Music	Blues composing task Vocal music composing task	Class performance of AoS 2 Set work Choose ensemble groups and begin working on pieces
	Spring 2	Introduction to area of study 2: Music for Ensemble	Minimalism composing task	Continue working on ensemble performances
	Summer 1	Introduction to area of study 3: Film Music.	Film music composing task Start free composition	Continue working on ensemble performances.
	Summer 2	Revisit all topics from year 10 using different pieces as listening and performing examples	Continue free composition	Y10 ensemble performance assessment.
Year 11	Autumn 1	Revisit area of study 1: Forms and Devices (with more advanced topics and practical content)	Continue free composition End of term: Introduce composition to a brief	Select solo/ensemble performances
	Autumn 2	Revisit area of study 4: Popular Music. (with more advanced topic/class/practical content).	Begin working on composition to a brief	Continue working on solo/ensemble performances
	Spring 1	Revisit Music for Ensemble (with more advanced topic/class/practical content).	Continue working on composition to a brief	Continue working on solo/ensemble performances
	Spring 2	Revisit Film Music (with more advanced topic/class/practical content).	Ensure both compositions are finished and write-ups are complete.	Ensure that recordings of ensemble/solo performances are complete.
	Summer 1	Revision

It is expected that GCSE music students will have one-to-one instrumental or vocal lessons. Hendon School offers a variety of instrumental lessons to students on a one to one or group basis. The lessons are timetabled in curriculum time and rotate as not to disrupt lessons too much. Each lesson is 30 / 20 minutes long and students receive 10 per term, and the cost of tuition per term is £135 for 10x30 minutes lessons or £90 for 10x20 minutes lessons (£13.50/£9 per lesson).

Lessons are currently available for:

Guitar/Bass
Voice
Drums
Woodwind
Piano/Keyboard

It is also expected that GCSE musicians will take part in the school’s extra-curricular programme. We have a varied extra-curriculum programme, with a range of ensembles, including:

Hendon Singers
Jazz, Funk & Soul Band
Rock Band
Mixed ensembles

We host a variety of musical shows and performances throughout the year, including the Christmas Concert, GCSE/BTEC Performance Evening, Summer Concert/Festival and the Open Mic Night.

Useful links

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zpf3cdm
http://portal.focusonsound.co.uk

Contact

Mr Jack Rienecker - Teacher of Music - RieneckerJ@hendonschool.co.uk