Aside from its extra-curricular importance to the life of the College, music is also studied as an academic subject.
All members of the Second and Third Form attend one class music lesson in the two weekly cycle. GCSE and A level Music is offered as an option in the other year groups, along with A level Music Technology in the Lower and Upper Sixth Forms.
Dr Tim Ridley, GRSM, PhD, LRAM, FRSA
Miss Jasmine Neufeld, BEd, BMus
Mr Brian Elrick, LLB
Mrs Anne Dillon
"Glenalmond is highly regarded both internally and externally for its music. We take pride in making music accessible to all, but also enjoy the fact that, as a small school, committed musicians from any year group are big fish in a small pond and can benefit from remarkable solo and ensemble performance opportunities." Dr Tim Ridley, Head of Department
Follow us on Twitter: @GlenalmondMusic
Listen to Glenalmond music on the Soundcloud
All members of the Second and Third Form attend one class music lesson in the two weekly cycle. GCSE and A level Music is offered as an option in the other year groups, along with A level Music Technology in the Lower and Upper Sixth Forms.
The new Edexcel GCSE in Music comprises three components. The composing and listening units relate to four Areas of Study:
AoS 1: Instrumental Music, 1700-1820
Set Works – J. S. Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (3rd Movt)
Beethoven, ‘Pathetique’ Piano Sonata (1st Movt)
AoS 2: Vocal Music
Set Works – Purcell, Music for a While
Queen, Killer Queen
AoS 3: Music for Stage & Screen
Set Works – Stephen Schwartz, Defying Gravity (from ‘Wicked’)
John Williams, Main Title (Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope)
AoS 4: Fusions
Set Works – Afro Celt Sound System, Release
Esperanza Spalding, Samba Em Preludio
Component 1: Performing Music
Internally assessed, externally moderated – 60 marks, 30%
Overview:
Component 2: Composing Music
Internally assessed, externally moderated – 60 marks, 30%
Overview:
Component 3: Appraising
Externally marked – 80 marks, 40%
Overview of content
Overview of Assessment
A total of 200 marks for the paper.
The GCSE course is suitable for anybody who has a genuine interest in music. It is certainly not aimed at specialists, nor solely at music scholars, although all music award holders are required to study the course to support their musical development. However, anybody taking GCSE music will be required to perform to a level of, ideally, around or just above ABRSM Grade 3 by the Lent Term in the Fifth Form. This performance could be in any style and is certainly not restricted just to those playing the more established, traditional instruments. Studying GCSE music will provide a window into the musical world which will be of lifelong benefit to those who enjoy listening to and/or playing music.
GCSE Music (or an equivalent qualification) is a prerequisite for subsequent Sixth Form study of both A Level Music and/or Music Technology.
At Glenalmond, we prepare pupils for A Level music to the Edexcel specification. This is an excellent course which combines academic rigour with creativity and musicianship. During the course, pupils will learn to perform, compose and appreciate different styles of music, developing critical and creative thinking, cultural, aesthetic and emotional awareness.
Course Description
The Edexcel A Level Music course takes place over two years and is comprised of three musical components:
Component 1: Performing (30%)
Component 2: Composing (30%)
Component 3: Appraising (Written Examination) (40%)
Recommended Entry Requirements
Pupils wishing to take Music should have taken GCSE Music, Grade 5 Theory and be a minimum of Grade 5 standard on their first study at the start of the course.
Careers and Higher Education
A Level music is excellent preparation for a wide range of degree courses and careers, not just music.
Glenalmond follows the Pearson/Edexcel Music Technology course. This course (new for teaching in September 2017) marries musical skills together with a practical use of IT to produce recordings and compositions. This course is a highly relevant programme of musical study to musicians of all disciplines – classical, rock/pop and jazz.
Course Description
Component 1: Recording (practical work, non-examined assessment) – 20%
• One recording, chosen from a list of 10 songs provided by Pearson, consisting of a minimum of five compulsory instruments and two additional instruments, released on 1st June in the calendar year preceding the year in which the qualification is to be awarded
• Compulsory instruments: drum kit, bass, electric guitar, lead vocal, backing vocal
• Optional instruments: at least two of: acoustic melody instrument, acoustic guitar, keyboard
• Keyboard tracks may be sequenced
• Total time must be between 3 minutes and 3½ minutes
• Logbook and authentication form must be supplied
Component 2: Technology-based composition (practical work, non-examined assessment) – 20%
• One technology‐based composition chosen from three briefs set by Pearson released on 1st September in the calendar year preceding the year in which the qualification is to be awarded
• Synthesis and sampling/audio manipulation and creative effects use must be included
• Total time must be 3 minutes
• Logbook and authentication form must be supplied
Component 3: Listening and analysing (90 minute written examination) – 25%
This paper will test knowledge and understanding of recording and production techniques and principles, in the context of a series of unfamiliar recordings. The three Areas of Study to be tested are [1] Recording and production techniques for both corrective and creative purposes, [2] Principles of sound and audio technologyand [3] The development of recording and production technology.
Component 4: Producing and analysing (2½ hour written/practical examination) – 35%
This paper will test knowledge and understanding of mixing, editing and production techniques, to be applied to unfamiliar materials, in addition to the application of knowledge related to Areas of Study 1 and 2 above.
• Students will correct and then combine the audio and MIDI materials to form a completed mix, which may include creating new tracks or parts from the materials provided
• Section A: Producing and analysing (85 marks) – five questions related to the audio and MIDI materials provided that include both written responses and practical tasks
• Section B: Extended written response (20 marks) – one essay focusing on a specific mixing scenario, signal path, effect or music technology hardware unit
Assessment Methods
Non-examined Assessment [Coursework] (40%)
Written examinations (60%)
Entry Requirements
This course is not suitable for pupils with merely an interest in the subject areas – pupils must demonstrate existing competent, proven musical/instrumental skills. GCSE music study is a prerequisite, except in exceptional circumstances where musical ability to a level agreed as acceptable by the Director of Music is offered. Keyboard ability is also necessary for the input of data, minimum piano level of around Grade 3.
Subject Combinations
Oddly, for those looking to read music at university, Music Technology offers no duplication whatsoever with Music, so the two A Levels offer a full and balanced approach to contemporary music thinking.
Careers and Higher Education
University courses offer both BA and BSc degrees, indicating the line this subject treads between the arts and sciences. Anybody looking to follow a vocational pathway in music may find this course of more practical benefit than the straight Music course. Music Technology is suitable for those looking to go to conservatoire as performers, for those looking to become composers or for those interested in keeping their options open but wishing to retain a highly creative approach to their musical development.
Both A Level and Higher Music are based around three core elements – Performing, Listening & Composing.
|
A Level |
Higher |
Performance |
30% - public performance minimum 8 mins, standard level ~Grade 6-7 |
1) 60% - Performance on two selected instruments for 12-13 mins, standard level ~Grade 4+ 2) 40% - written paper testing music concepts and music literacy Combined = 6 SCQF credit points |
Composition |
30% - 2 compositions, one to a set brief assessing compositional techniques (>1 min), one either from a list of briefs or a free composition (>4 mins) |
Continual assessment – no fixed composition requirements, journal kept to record the study and understanding of the compositional process, plus workshop style, teacher-assessed compositions 6 SCQF credit points |
Listening |
40% - written exam analysing and applying knowledge of three set works from each of the six Areas of Study (so 18 set works in total) |
Understanding Music – written 1 hour paper testing broad understanding of music concepts and musical analysis of unprepared excerpts 6 SCQF credit points |
As in other subjects, A Level provides depth, Higher provides a very broad approach, with the composition element allowing for a less academically intense pathway. Although Higher performance actually requires a longer playing time, and on two instruments, the level of musicianship required to meet standard level requirement is 2 to 3 grades lower. The Listening elements reflect the depth/broad differences, A Level going into detail regarding 18 set works, Higher examining broad musical concepts and testing that candidates can identify these concepts in unprepared listenings.