Music S4-6

Rothesay School

Senior phase

National 5 pupils have 4 lessons in a week, Higher and Advanced Higher have 6 lessons a week. All music pupils are encouraged to take part and help lead in extra-curricular music events.

Studying music in the Senior Phase is for those pupils who thoroughly enjoy the performance and are determined to improve their skills in all areas of the course of Listening, Performing and Composing. A final performance at each SQA examination stage is compulsory and makes up 50% of the final mark.

 

National 5

Pupils study for National 4 and 5 this year and continue their performance preparation on their two chosen instruments to prepare a selection of pieces to be examined by a visiting examiner during February/March each year.

The aim of the SQA National 5 course is to provide pupils with a wide range of performing, listening and composing experiences and is composed of 3 elements:

 

Understanding Music (Listening)

Pupils will develop an understanding of a large range of concepts, including music literacy. It is related as often as possible to Performing and Composing. Pupils will also consider social and cultural influences on music. The 45 minute examination at the end of the year makes up 35% of the final mark.

 

Composing

Pupils learn how to improvise and compose original music in a variety of styles during the course. Composition coursework is completed by March of the examination year and submitted for examination. This is worth 15% of the final mark

 

Performing

Pupils will be expected to perform on two instruments (or voice plus one instrument).

The minimum performance standard for National 5 is Grade 3. An 8 minute programme must be prepared for a visiting examiner to be performed ‘live’. Both instruments must be played with a 2 minute minimum time for one of the instruments.

 

Higher

 

Pupils study for Higher by continuing to develop their performance preparation on their two chosen instruments to prepare a selection of pieces to be examined by a visiting examiner during February/March each year.

The aim of the SQA Higher course is to provide pupils with a wide range of performing, listening and composing experiences and is composed of 3 elements:

 

Understanding Music (Listening)

Pupils will develop an understanding of a large range of concepts, including music literacy. It is related as often as possible to Performing and Composing. Pupils will also consider social and cultural influences on music. The 1 hour examination at the end of the year makes up 35% of the final mark.

 

 

Composing

Pupils learn how to improvise and compose original music in a variety of styles during the course. Composition coursework is completed by March of the examination year and submitted for examination. This is worth 15% of the final mark

 

Performing

Pupils will be expected to perform on two instruments (or voice plus one instrument).

The minimum performance standard for Higher is Grade 4. A 12 minute programme must be prepared for a visiting examiner to be performed ‘live’. Both instruments must be played with a 4 minute minimum time for one of the instruments.

 

 

Advanced Higher

 

The course provides candidates with a broad practical experience of performing, creating and understanding music. It enables them to work independently or in collaboration with others, and can help them to plan and organise, to make decisions, and to take responsibility for their own learning.

The course aims to enable candidates to:

¨ broaden their knowledge and understanding of music and music literacy by listening to music, analysing and identifying music concepts, signs and symbols

¨ create original music or arrange existing music, using compositional methods

¨ perform music

 

At Advanced Higher there is more elements of choice. Pupils perform on one instrument and can then opt for

¨ a performance on a second contrasting instrument or

¨ composing a portfolio of music

 

Understanding Music (Listening)

 

Pupils will continue to develop an understanding of a large range of concepts, including music literacy. Pupils will also consider social and cultural influences on music. The 1 hour 15 minute examination at the end of the year makes up 35% of the final mark.

 

Assignment

 

The assignment is compulsory and allows pupils to explore and develop musical ideas to create music. It has three parts:

¨ composing or arranging one piece of music

¨ reviewing the creative process of their composition or arrangement

¨ analysing a chosen piece of music

 

This makes up 15% of the overall mark

 

Composing

Pupils learn how to improvise and compose original music in a variety of styles during the course. Composition coursework is completed by March of the examination year and submitted for examination. This is worth 15% of the final mark

 

Either : Performing on two instruments

Pupils will be expected to perform on two instruments (or voice plus one instrument).

The minimum performance standard for Higher is Grade 5. An 18 minute programme must be prepared for a visiting examiner to be performed ‘live’. Both instruments must be played with a 6 minute minimum time for one of the instruments.

 

OR

 

Performance and portfolio composition

 

Pupils can opt to perform on just one instrument and perform a 6-8 minute programme and then submit a portfolio of their own compositions which last 6-8 minutes.

 

The composed pieces or arrangements may be in any style or genre and must last a minimum of 6 minutes and a maximum of 8 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Useful websites

https://mymusiconline.co.uk/

https://www.ataea.co.uk/index.php/A-Z_of_Music_concepts

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z9xhfg8