GCSE Options

Component 3: Listening & Appraising (40%) This is a written paper which you will sit in the summer exam session at the end of the course and is worth the remaining 40% of the total mark. You will study music across a wide variety of styles and genres grouped into four Areas of Study, each of which contains two set works. In the paper you will respond to questions on recorded extracts of music taken from these set works, as well as unfamiliar but related music, and also answer one extended response question comparing musical features between a set work and another unfamiliar extract.

The four Areas of Study cover a wide range of musical styles and genres, each featuring two set works:

AOS1 Instrumental Music 1700–1820 Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 by J. S. Bach Piano Sonata Op. 13 No. 8, ‘Pathetique‘ by Beethoven

AOS2 Vocal Music Music for a While by Henry Purcell Killer Queen by Queen

AOS3 Music for Stage and Screen Defying Gravity from the Broadway Musical Wicked by Stephen Schwartz Music from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope by John Williams

AOS4 Fusions Release by the Afro Celt Sound System Samba em Prelúdio by Esperanza Spalding

Those who opt for GCSE Music must be taking instrumental or singing lessons either at School or privately and will continue these lessons throughout the course. All pupils will be expected to participate in as much music as possible at School, to perform, and take every opportunity to listen to both live and recorded performances.

Those pupils who haven’t already passed the ABRSM Grade 5 Theory exam are expected to take this exam before the start of the course, or during the first term in the Divisions year at the very latest.

S J Couldridge Director of Music scouldridge@mtsn.org.uk

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