choosing your subjects
Why study Music?
It is almost completely impossible to avoid music in the modern world – it is everywhere from live performances to Spotify to TV and film to radio to podcasts to buskers on the street! As an art form, music is so universal and enjoyed by so many people that studying it and understanding it are powerful tools for connecting with the world around us. Music offers everyone an opportunity to create, express themselves, and communicate; as well as giving learners the chance to develop confidence, resilience, and self-management skills that are essential for all walks of life.
Music is a source of joy, comfort, excitement, and happiness for so many people, and the ability to play a musical instrument or sing and contribute to musical performances is a hugely valued and valuable skill and one that offers learners a lifetime of enjoyment.
In 2024, the Music industry’s contribution to the UK economy hit a record £8 billion, and UK music exports revenue in 2024 reached a new high of £4.8 billion! Total UK music industry employment in 2024 hit a record 220,000 (full-time equivalent posts). Music is one of the UK’s most successful fields, and whilst studying Music offers us all something – whether we want to have a career in the arts or not – business is booming for UK musicians.
Frequently Asked Questions Music GCSE
What will I learn?
We follow the Pearson Edexcel GCSE in Music, which is split into three areas:
- Performing
- Composing
- Appraising
The performing element covers everything to do with using your instrument or voice to create music. All pupils at SCBSO Academy learn an instrument, and a large part of the reason for that is so that every pupil is able to demonstrate their skills in this part of the GCSE course.
The composing element is all about writing original music – you will be able to write in whatever style you want to and use electronic or acoustic instruments as you choose to create your music.
The appraising element tests your understanding of how music works and is taught by studying a variety of set pieces of music from different genres. We look at how these pieces have been put together and what the composers have done to make the music sound the way it does. The pieces you will study are:
- J S Bach: 3rd Movement from Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in D major
- Ludwig van Beethoven: 1st Movement from Piano Sonata no. 8 in C minor ‘Pathétique’
- Henry Purcell: Music for a While
- Queen: Killer Queen
- Stephen Schwartz: ‘Defying Gravity’ from Wicked
- John Williams: ‘Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner’ from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- Afro Celt Sound System: Release
- Esperanza Spalding: Samba Em Preludio
how will i be assessed?
Assessment for performing and composing happens in class throughout Years 10 and 11. The assessments are marked by your teacher, and then those grades are checked by the exam board. The assessments you will take in this way are:
- A solo performance (you perform on your instrument by yourself or accompanied by a piano)
- An ensemble performance (you perform on your instrument in a group)
- A “free composition” (a piece of music you will write that can be based on anything you choose)
- A “composition to brief” (a piece of music you will write that must be inspired by a stimulus set by the exam board)
In addition, you will sit one appraising paper at the end of Year 11 that tests your understanding of eight-set works.
Which Course Will I Follow?
Students will follow the GCSE Music (1MU0) course offered by Pearson Edexcel.
What equipment will I need?
You will need to ensure that you have your instrument with you, and that you are practicing regularly. You will be provided with specialist software on your laptop to complete composition tasks. The Academy may recommend a study guide or workbook to support students’ learning.
Where can this subject take me?
As well as opening doors to musical and creative career choices, studying music opens up many options for pupils because of the way that learning an instrument and working creatively improves cognitive function. Pupils who study Music go on to have careers as:
- Composing and songwriting
- Performing
- Talent management and artist management
- Audio and recording engineering
- Digital content production
- Choreography, dance, and music direction
- DJing and music production
- Public relations management, programme management, and tour production
- Military Music (the military is the largest employer of musicians in the UK!)
- Marketing management
- News reporting, photography, journalism, radio, and TV
- Events management, live sound / lighting technician, and stage management
How Can I Support My Child at Home?
The most important way to support your child with their Music studies is to help them to practice their instrument regularly. Studies have shown us that quick bursts of focussed practice are much more effective than hours and hours. 15 minutes practice, five times a week, with a clear goal in mind, is vital for a good practice routine that prepares pupils for success in KS4 Music.
