Updated GCSE Music comparison charts

GCSE Music comparison charts for first teaching in September 2016 The following pages provide an overview of the new and accredited GCSE Music qualifications1. We have produced an overview to help you choose which awarding organisation’s new specification for GCSE Music will best suit your students and setting. We will be updating this overview again once AQA is accredited (currently Edexcel Pearson, OCR and WJEC Eduqas are accredited).

The GCSE is a 2-year course of study, with an examination at the end. There are no specific entry requirements; it leads on from Key Stage 3 Music, which is good news for inclusion. This is specifically stated in the criteria from each awarding organisation. It is open to young musicians from all backgrounds and, to a point, offers opportunities for them to explore their own musical interests.

In essence the marks awarded come from three ‘activities’: This is very similar in structure to the current GCSE Music qualifications.

The current grading of A*–G is changing to numerical grading of 9–1: Grade 9 will be equivalent to A**, Grade 4 will be approximately equivalent to a Grade C Grade 1 will be equivalent to a Grade G.

Component

Performing music (ensemble is compulsory) Composing music (one piece to a brief set by awarding body, one piece to a brief chosen by the candidate) ‘Testing’ pupils’ knowledge and understanding of music and their ability to listen to of appraise music through a written examination

Weighting (% of total marks) * 30% 30%

40%

Assessment

Internally assessed, externally moderated Internally assessed, externally moderated Externally marked

*These weightings have been fixed by Ofqual

Areas of study In line with Ofqual requirements, each awarding body has selected four areas of study, all of which are examined. An additional Ofqual requirement is that at least one of these relates to the Western Classical tradition from 1650 to 1910.

The areas of study are used in a variety of ways by the awarding bodies. The commonality is that all ‘examine’ the areas of study through the written / listening examination, taken at the end of the course. Some of the awarding organisations specify ‘set works’; others suggest a list of recommended listening / study or a combination of both.

1 Note that AQA are still awaiting Ofqual accreditation (26.1.16). We will update this document for the final time when this is accredited.

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Areas of Study and set works Western Classical Tradition 16501910

*Haydn: Symphony 101 in D major The Clock, movt. 2 With a Little Help from my Friends

Popular music AQA (DRAFT)

The Beatles: Sgt.Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – the following three tracks:

Within You, Without You Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

Traditional music

Smooth Santana: Supernatural – the following three tracks:

Migra, Migra Love of my Life.

Edexcel Pearson (each area of study also has four works indicated for wider listening)

Western Classical Tradition since 1910

Aaron Copland: Saturday Night Waltz and Hoedown from Rodeo

Instrumental music 17001820

J S Bach: 3rd Movement from Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in D major

L van Beethoven: 1st Movement from Piano Sonata no. 8 in C minor ‘Pathétique’

H Purcell: Music for a While

Queen: Killer Queen (from the album Sheer Heart Attack)

S Schwartz: Defying Gravity (from the album of the cast recording of Wicked)

J Williams: Main title/rebel blockade runner (from the soundtrack to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope)

Afro Celt Sound System: Release (from the album Volume 2: Release)

Esperanza Spalding: Samba Em Preludio (from the album Esperanza)

Vocal music

Music for stage and screen Fusions My instrument

OCR

also states: “teachers should feel free to look at a variety

Rhythms of the world

of composers and styles of their choice to cover the required content”.

Film music WJEC Eduqas (wider listening required for all AoS).

Suggested repertoire, no set works. A note in the specification

The Concerto through time

Conventions of pop Musical forms and devices (Western Classical Tradition 1650-1910) Music for ensemble

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Movement 3, Minuet (including the Trio): Mozart (1787) Suggested repertoire, no set works

Film music

Suggested repertoire, no set works

Popular music

Since You’ve Been Gone: Rainbow (released 1979)

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1. Performing / realising music (30% of marks)   

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This is internally marked and externally moderated.

The performances can take place any time during the final year of the course and do not have to take place on the same day.

A teacher who signs the authentication sheet must be present in order to verify the performance, but this does not have to take place in school. Audio recordings must be submitted.

All candidates are required to perform a minimum of two pieces. These do not have to be on the same instrument.

Some boards (Eduqas and Edexcel) allow performance of a candidate’s own composition to count towards the performance component. It is not clear if the others do.

One ensemble performance (minimum duration 1 minute) per candidate is compulsory.

The requirements about solo and ensemble for the other piece(s) vary between the boards; but Eduqas and OCR do not insist on solo performance.

An ‘ensemble’ is 2 or more players (max 8 for some boards). There should not be significant doubling of the part being assessed.

Some awarding bodies (Eduqas, OCR) allow more than two pieces to be marked as part of the performance component. This affects how marks are awarded and varies between awarding organisations.

The minimum duration for the portfolio of pieces presented by a candidate is 4 minutes.

As stipulated by Ofqual, if less than 4 minutes, zero marks will be awarded.

The minimum duration of one ensemble piece is 1 minute. This is an Ofqual requirement.

Any instrument, voices, music technology, DJ-ing, MC-ing and realising using music technology are acceptable. Improvisation is also acceptable.

There is variation in whether the awarding organisations expect the choice of repertoire to link to the areas of study. Eduqas link one performance. OCR and Edexcel do not.

All awarding bodies have defined methods to ‘scale’ marks depending upon the ‘difficulty’ of the music performed/realised. Effectively these are: o Below standard (grade 2 and below Eduqas, below Grade 3 Edexcel) o Standard (approx. grade 3 for Eduqas, grade 4 for Edexcel) o Above standard (approx. grade 4 Eduqas and grade 5 Edexcel ) Specific criteria about standards are set out for candidates using music technology to realise music.

All instruments appear to be acceptable; the teacher needs to work out the relative ‘standard’ of pieces chosen where there is no guidance given for a specific instrument.

Supporting documentation must be submitted in the form of a score, lead sheet, chord chart, annotation, guide recording etc. The requirements slightly vary between the awarding bodies.

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Performance requirements – an overview

Requirements

AQA (DRAFT) 2 pieces: 1 ensemble 1 solo

Edexcel Minimum of 2 pieces: 1 ensemble 1 solo (both solo must include at least one piece which is a minimum of 1 minute duration)

OCR Minimum of 2 pieces 1 ensemble (min 1 minute); other(s) can be solo or ensemble (Minimum 4 mins but this does not need to be evenly distributed in each component so long as ensemble performance in practical component is min 1 minute)

Maximum suggested performance duration

7 minutes

Not specified

Not specified

Link to Areas of Study

No

No

No

Marks awarded for:

- level of demand - accuracy - expression and interpretation

-technical control - accuracy and fluency - expression and interpretation Ensemble and solo have equal weighting. If a student has chosen to perform more than one piece of music for either their solo or ensemble performance, the teacher assessing must apply a difficulty level to the whole performance based on an average, although taking into consideration the relative length of pieces where these lengths are unbalanced.

Other notes

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If performing more than one piece of music as part of their solo and/or ensemble performances, the pieces of music must be performed and recorded together. If students wish to re-record a performance before submission, they must rerecord the whole performance (either solo or ensemble), and not just part of it.

WJEC Eduqas Minimum of 2 pieces 1 ensemble other(s) can be solo or ensemble

- difficulty (max 6 marks) - technical control and fluency (max 12 marks) - expression and interpretation (max 12 marks)

6 minutes (it can be longer but only first 6 mins moderated) One piece must link to an area of study ‐ accuracy (max 12 marks) ‐ technical control (12 marks) ‐ expression and interpretation (12 marks) The raw marks are applied to a grid for levels of difficulty.

Top mark band (10-12) not available unless difficulty exceeds 2.

‘Performance’ falls within two separate ‘components’: 1. integrated portfolio (performance on learner’s chosen instrument, ensemble or solo) 2.

Practical component (ensemble performance)

Where more than two pieces are offered, the total mark is divided by the number of pieces and multiplied by two, to achieve a final mark out of 72.

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2. Composing music (30% of marks) 

This is internally marked and externally moderated.

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In line with Ofqual requirements, a minimum of two pieces must be composed. o One piece must be to respond to a brief set by the awarding body. The awarding body must provide a choice of briefs. o One piece must be left to the free choice of the candidate.

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All awarding bodies must offer a choice of brief.

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Briefs will be released by awarding bodies in September of the school year in which the course will be completed. Release dates slightly vary but are early September.

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In line with Ofqual requirements, each awarding organisation has set a minimum time duration of 3 minutes for the total length of the compositions. Some awarding bodies have also set a maximum duration as a guideline.

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Awarding bodies have different rules about the awarding of marks should the total duration of compositions come to less than 3 minutes. OCR and Edexcel award zero marks. Eduqas deduct one mark per 30 seconds below 3 minutes.

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All awarding bodies expect a recording of the pieces to be submitted. These do not have to be performed by the candidate and they are not marked for the quality of the performance, only the quality of the composition.

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One of the awarding organisations (AQA) awards marks for awareness of the composing process. All of the others award marks only for the final composition.

A score or chord sheet is required, although this is not usually reflected in the mark awarded.

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Currently, some awarding bodies suggest that the composition to the brief set by the awarding body must be carried out under supervised conditions. Others do not specify this: o OCR – supervised conditions. No time limitation. o Edexcel – controlled conditions, minimum of 5 hours. o Eduqas – signed composition log at 3 separate points by teacher and pupil to authenticate the work. No controlled conditions imposed. o AQA – (tbc)

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Some of briefs set by awarding bodies’ link to areas of study (OCR). Those from AQA do not purposefully link.

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The briefs designed by students for the ‘free choice’ composition need to be submitted with the recordings. Most of the awarding bodies ask for the occasion and audience to be defined, as well as ‘the musical details’. Marks are not awarded for the brief itself but how well the music meets the brief.

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Overview of composing requirements – two compositions (one brief set by awarding organisation, the other by the candidate) Marks awarded for: AQA (DRAFT)

Edexcel Pearson

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Rhythm and metre Texture and melody Harmony and tonality Timbre and dynamics Structure and form Composing log

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Developing musical ideas Demonstrating technical control Composing with musical coherence

Notes of the briefs

Other requirements / points worth noting

This appears to be the only awarding body which awards some of the marks for the process – a composing log is required as part of the submission

Briefs will include different stimuli including: Written words, poems or a piece of text Photographs images or film Notation

The draft specification does not mention these linking to areas of study 

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OCR

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WJEC Eduqas

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Learners are assessed on their ability to develop musical ideas, use conventions and techniques, explore the potential of musical structures and resources, use of musical elements.

Holistic marks are awarded out of 30 for the free choice composition. The brief set by the exam board has two components – a mark out of 6 for meeting the brief and a holistic mark out of 24 for the piece.

Creativity and development of musical ideas Technical control of musical elements and resources Structure and stylistic coherence

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There will be a choice of four briefs set by Edexcel. These will relate to the areas of study.

Each composition must be at least one minute in length. Two compositions must come to at least 3 minutes combined.

Students must work on their compositions under controlled conditions for at least five hours. This must include the final write up of their compositions, and can include any research and development time.

A score must be submitted but no marks are awarded for this.

The composition to a brief set by OCR will be linked to an area of study.

Candidates will be required to respond to a brief using one of the following as a stimulus: A choice of two rhythmic phrases A choice of two note patterns A four line stanza of words A chord sequence A short story An image

There will be a choice of four briefs, one linked to each area of study.

All secondary source materials, such as musical quotes or pre-composed samples, must be clearly acknowledged and any work which is not entirely that of the learner must be identified.

A composition log must be submitted.

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Listening / understanding / appraising (40% of marks) Each of the awarding bodies has a slightly different title for this section of the GCSE. It is the component in which a final examination will be taken at the end of the two-year course.

As defined by Ofqual, the knowledge and understanding is defined around musical elements, musical contexts and musical language. Each awarding organisation provides a detailed list of terms.

Musical elements

Musical contexts

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Musical language

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melody harmony tonality form and structure dynamics sonority texture tempo rhythm metre the purpose and intention of composers, performers and those who commission music the effect of the occasion, audience and choice of venue on the way music is composed and performed how music is created, developed and performed in different social, historical and cultural contexts reading and writing treble and bass clef staff notation in simple time reading treble and bass clef staff notation in compound time chord symbols, e.g. G7 key signatures to four sharps and flats musical vocabulary related to areas of study

In line with another Ofqual requirements, this examination must include some examples of music which have not been studied as set works.

AQA offers choice about the area of study chosen for the second part of questions on contextual understanding. This is based upon the study piece for this area of study.

There is an ‘extended writing question; Edexcel is the only board that specifies how many marks this is worth (12 out of 80). In the specimen papers, Eduqas question is worth 10 marks out of 96. OCR has two questions, one worth 8 marks and the other worth 6 marks (out of 80).

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Listening/ appraising / understanding examination Total duration

Total marks available

AQA (DRAFT)

1hr 30 mins

Edexcel Pearson

1hr 45 mins

Overview

Description

Additional points

96

Section A – listening (68 marks) Section B - contextual understanding (28 marks)

AQA have “created classroom performance editions of GCSE study pieces so they can be played by any instrument, in any combination.”

80

Section A – Areas of study, dictation, and unfamiliar pieces (68 marks)

eight compulsory questions covering all areas of study – it will be based upon unheard works four sets of linked questions on the study pieces, two compulsory (one of these is linked to area of study 1) and the other based on an area of study of the candidate’s choice ‐ Six questions related to 6 of the 8 set works ‐ One short melody / rhythm completion exercise (worth 6-10 marks) ‐ One question on an unfamiliar piece (skeleton score provided) with questions on its musical elements, musical contexts and musical language ‐ One question that asks candidates to compare and/or evaluate the musical elements and musical language of one set work with one unfamiliar piece of music

Multiple choice, single or short answer, questions that require an extended response

Examination based around: Musical elements Musical contexts Musical language

Eight questions in total.

Six questions on unprepared musical extracts and two questions on prepared musical extracts (see above - Mozart and Rainbow)

Examination is designed for students to show knowledge and understanding of: Musical elements Musical contexts Musical language There are set works for AOS 1 and AOS4.

Areas of study 2-5 will be examined: The Concerto through time Rhythms of the world Film music Conventions of pop Each musical extract will be linked to one of four areas of study: 1. Musical Forms and Devices 2. Music for Ensemble 3. Music for Film 4. Popular Music

Section B – Extended response comparison between a set work and one unfamiliar piece (12 marks) OCR

1hr 30 mins

80

WJEC Eduqas

1hr 15 mins

96 marks

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assessed for quality of musical knowledge and understanding demonstrated as well as the quality of the evaluation and conclusion

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Where to find further information

Awarding body

Website

Where to find specifications and support materials

AQA (DRAFT)

www.aqa.org.uk

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/music/gcse/music-8271

Edexcel Pearson

www.qualifications.pearson.com

http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/music-2016.html

OCR

WJEC Eduqas

www.ocr.org.uk

www.eduqas.co.uk

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http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-music-j536-from-2016/

http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music/gcse/

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