IGCSE
Why study the subject?
Taking Music at IGCSE will benefit anyone with a keen interest in Music.
This course will not only help you develop your musical skills but also help you in many other ways.
Developing confidence in performing in front of others.
Developing creativity through composition work.
Developing communication skills through both performance and composition and also within group work.
Organisation and self-discipline to be properly prepared for your performances.
Developing a sense of history through the study of musical eras
Developing an understanding of world cultures through studying music from different parts of the world.
Developing your brain - playing an instrument activates and connects more areas of your brain than any other known activity to date.
How is the subject taught?
As 60% of the exam is coursework, there is a large practical element where you will be working on developing your playing or singing skills. You will perform both as a soloist and as part of a group.
Composition is taught in class and you will be helped to develop these skills through numerous short exercises. This will allow both you and the teacher to see which genre of composition best suits you before embarking on your 2 final compositions.
The listening exam, not surprisingly, requires a lot of listening to a wide variety of music from around the world and from different periods of history as well as more popular modern genres. You will learn musical technical terms which help describe how music is constructed. Being able to read music certainly helps but is only required for certain questions in the exam.
It is expected that IGCSE music students will contribute to the musical life of the school through CCAs and other musical events. This helps to broaden experience and strengthen performance skills.
What topics are taught in Music?
Term 1.1
Year 10
Composition task 1
Solo performance
Introduction to Music history & general musical knowledge
Year 11
Final composition 1
Solo Performance
Term 1.2
Year 10
Composition task 2
Ensemble performance
Introduction to set works
Year 11
Final composition 1
Final composition 2
Ensemble performances
Term 2.1
Year 10
Composition task 3
Solo performance
Continue history, set works and music general knowledge
Year 11
Final composition 2
Solo & Ensemble performances
Term 2.2
Year 10
Composition task 4
Ensemble performance
Continue history, set works and music general knowledge
Year 11
Final Solo and Ensemble performances
Term 3
Year 10
Year 10 exam
Finish composition tasks
Continue history, set works and music general knowledge
Year 11
Revision and past papers
Key assessment dates:
Students will be assessed throughout the year using a range of activities and will sit for tests at multiple points through the year. Please see below for predicted assessments, however, please note, they may change throughout the year based on public holidays and other activities:
Term 1.1
Year 10
Composition task 1
Solo performance
Year 11
Recital performances
Recording Day
Term 1.2
Year 10
Composition task 2
Ensemble performance
Year 11
Completion of Composition 1
Term 2.1
Year 10
Composition task 3
Solo performance
Year 11
Mock exam
Completion of Composition 2
Term 2.2
Year 10
Composition task 4
Ensemble performance
Year 11
Recital performances
Recording Day
Term 3
Year 10
Performance at Art Exhibition evening
Year 11
Listening exam