Music

Music

Music is thriving at Bartholomew School with all students in Years 7 to 9 studying a broad musical curriculum. Music is optional at Key Stage 4 with large classes studying music GCSE in Year 10 and 11, and a thriving A Level course at Key Stage 5.

 

 

In previous years, our outstanding student ensembles have performed at: The Royal Albert Hall; The Sheldonian Theatre; Birmingham Symphony Hall; Worcester Cathedral; Keble College, Oxford and Magdalen College, Oxford. Other performances include termly concerts and collaborative events with Oxfordshire County Music Service and the Eynsham Partnership Academy (EPA) for the annual Big Sing. We regularly ensure students have the opportunity to perform more widely including the Music for Youth Prom, OCMS Buddy Ensemble, and Voice in a Million at Wembley Stadium. Our students excel in performance and composition; students enjoy working with passionate classroom and peripatetic staff and many have gone on to study music at universities such as Cambridge and Durham or conservatoires, including the Welsh College of Music and Drama.

At GCSE and A Level, students follow the Eduqas exam specifications which include a balance between a range of styles of music, including jazz, musical theatre and Western Classical music. At both stages of learning, the students explore composition, performance, appraising and the history of music and at A Level they have the option to specialise in either performance or composition.

Further resources:

Key Stage 3 Extension Reading Journey (Music)

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

YEAR 7
  • Singing and the Elements of Music
  • Keyboard and Notation Skills
  • Scales and Tonality
  • African Drumming
  • Music and Space

YEAR 8
  • Minimalism
  • Jazz and Blues
  • Chords and Harmony
  • Form and Structure
  • Ensemble performance

YEAR 9
  • Film music
  • Dance music
  • Music of the Caribbean
  • Variations
  • Song Writing                                                                                               

YEARS 

10 & 11

Music GCSE consists of performing and composing coursework (60%) and a listening and appraising exam (40%).  

Performing (30%) 

Students need a portfolio of solo and ensemble performances (vocal or instrumental) lasting at least 4 minutes, which will be recorded during year 11. Students may choose to offer a technology-based realisation this includes DJ-ing and sequencing and other appropriate technology-based formats. 

Students can choose their performance pieces but should be working towards Grade 3 standard by Year 11. To achieve this, all students taking GCSE Music must be having instrumental or singing lessons. 

Composing (30%) 

Students compose two compositions, of at least three minutes’ combined duration. This can be for any instruments you like. 

One composition to a brief, of at least one minute. 

One free composition set by the student, of at least one minute. 

Listening & Appraising (examination 40%) 

This is the only part of the qualification taken under exam conditions, and is a 1 hour 15 minute listening exam, answering questions on prepared and unprepared listening extracts, as well as completing dictation exercises and writing extended answers. You will need to identify musical elements and explain how they are used. 

The exam covers the following areas of study: 

Musical Forms & Devices – including set work ‘Badinerie’ by J.S.Bach for Flute and String Orchestra with Harpsichord (Final movement, Orchestral Suite No.2 in B minor, BWV 1067)  

Music for Ensemble – including chamber music, jazz and musical theatre 

Film Music – including the origin of film music & how film music is created and developed  

Popular Music – including set work ‘Africa’ by Toto (released 1982) 

YEARS 

12 & 13

Music A-Level consists of a performance recital, composing coursework (60%) and a listening and appraising exam (40%). Students may specialise in either performing or composing.  

Performing (either 35% or 25%) 

Students will perform a recital to a visiting examiner in March of year 13. Those specialising in performance will give a 10-12 minute recital of at least three pieces, in at least two different styles. Students specialising in composition will give a recital of 6-8 minutes consisting of at least two pieces.  

Composing (either 35% or 25%) 

Students will compose two compositions, to a duration of four minutes, for any instruments. One composition will be to a brief in the Western Classical style, and the second, a free composition is set by the student. Those specialising in composition will write a third piece in different style, to a total of eight minutes duration.  

Listening & Appraising (examination 40%) 

This comprises a written examination of two hours 15 minutes.  This examination will assess knowledge and understanding of music through three areas of study.   

You will study the Western Classical Tradition (The Development of the Symphony 1750-1900) and then two further areas of study either Rock and Pop, Musical Theatre or Jazz; and Music in the Twentieth or Twenty-First Century. There are questions on the four set works as well as unprepared listening questions, including aural dictation.  

Students that do not have grade V music theory will be expected to study this, in order to be able to access the course successfully. 

Examination Board and Specifications

Please also refer to our Exams page for further information

GCSE

A Level

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