KS4 Options Booklet 2026-2028 - Flipbook - Page 38
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Music: Open
Subject
Subject group
Exam Board
Course
Description
GCSE Music
Performing
Eduqas
The course explores a variety of genres of music through four different areas of study.
These areas include:
AOS1 3 Musical Forms and Devices - Western Classical Music
AOS2 3 Music for Ensemble - Chamber Music, Musical Theatre and Jazz and Blues
AOS3 3 Film Music
AOS4 3 Popular Music - Rock and Pop music, Fusion and Bhangra
Students will learn key features of these styles through listening to an eclectic array of
music as well as studying two set works. They will then have a listening examination
at the end of the course which will contain extracts from these set works as well as
music from unseen works (which will be similar in style to those studied). Students
will then be required to answer the related questions.
Performance and composition are also studied through these topics and all students
who enrol on the course will need to be able to perform on their instrument or voice
in class regularly as well as spending time in and out of school composing their own
music.
Students wishing to take GCSE Music might like to consider the following:
Individual instrumental or vocal lessons (in school or with a teacher outside of
school) are strongly advised for all students; students need to aim to perform at a
standard of Grade 3 or higher by the end of Year 11 to gain a good pass at GCSE.
Students do not need to be able to read music at the start of the course, but they must
be prepared to engage in this process if they are to achieve a good grade in all three
areas of the course.
Composition skills will be supported in lessons using computer software including
Garageband and Musescore.
