Wells Music Specialist Certificate

This course is designed for students who have taken their GCSE Music before beginning Year 10 and who have a strong theoretical musical understanding (Grade V or above).

The course integrates the performance, theoretical, compositional, technological and entrepreneurial skills we feel are important for a musician entering the music profession. You will develop your skills in improvisation, harmony, recording, arranging and concert organisation. You will also develop your ability to research, analyse, write about and present the music that you perform and learn how to lead educational demonstrations and workshops.

Coursework is produced and assessed throughout the course according to a schedule shared with pupils. The course is designed so that there is no assessment in the summer (Whitsun or Trinity terms) in Year 11, allowing pupils to focus on their other GCSE subjects and music-making.

The course is excellent preparation for the A level Music course and its independent nature prepares students for study in the Sixth Form in general. The focus on recording and computer-based composition is also a great basis on which to begin Music Technology A level. The extended writing and project organisation parts of the course also prepare students for possible EPQ work in the Sixth Form

The course is separated into 14 modules completed steadily throughout the 2-year course, Each module is assessed by the department and awarded a pass, merit or distinction, the final certificate grade being the grade that is in the majority. Each module will be assessed in different ways: there will video-recorded performances, course essays, compositions, arrangements, class tests and teacher observations.

The course is currently in its first year of running.