Music
Music Key Stage 4
Name of Course: GCSE Music
Head of Department: Mr D Partridge
Exam board website: GCSE Music | Eduqas
Year 10 Curriculum
| Half Term | Content | Assessment Focus | Topics for revision |
| Autumn 1 | Musical Elements & Forms | Rhythm, melody, harmony, structure; forms such as binary, ternary, rondo. | Musical elements, Notation reading, Forms and Structures |
| Autumn 2 | Set Work: Bach’s Badinerie | Baroque instruments, structure, key musical features. | Baroque features |
| Spring 1 | Music for Ensemble | Chamber music, jazz, musical theatre; how musicians work together. | Instruments of the orchestra, Musical styles |
| Spring 2 | Free Composition | Developing musical ideas, structuring a piece, creating motifs. | Primary Chords, Musical elements, Music technology |
| Summer 1 | Film Music | How music creates mood; themes, motifs, orchestration. | Film Genres, Leitmotifs, How music can describe a situation |
| Summer 2 | Solo Performance | Rehearsal skills, accuracy, expression, confidence. | Performance etiquette, practise |
Year 11 Curriculum
| Half Term | Focus Area | Assessment Focus | Topics for Revision |
| Autumn 1 | Popular Music & Brief Composition | Pop, rock, Bhangra, fusion; production techniques. | Features of Popular music |
| Autumn 2 | Set Work: Toto’s Africa | Instrumentation, rhythm, harmony, context. | Toto’s Africa |
| January | Coursework Completion | Final checks and written logs. | Ensure coursework is complete |
| Spring 1 | Exam Revision | Listening skills, set works, exam technique. | Film music, Instruments of the orchestra, Harmony and structure. Complete wider Listening. |
| Spring 2 | Exam Technique | Comparison skills, analytical listening, terminology. | Film music, Instruments of the orchestra, Harmony and structure. Complete wider Listening. |
| Summer 1 | Final Preparation | Targeted revision and confidence building. | Film music, Instruments of the orchestra, Harmony and structure. Complete wider Listening. |
| Summer 2 | GCSE Exams | Application of all knowledge and skills. | Film music, Instruments of the orchestra, Harmony and structure. |
How GCSE Music (Eduqas) Is Assessed
GCSE Music is designed to recognise and celebrate a wide range of musical strengths. Students are assessed through a combination of performing, composing, and listening work, allowing every learner to shine in different areas of the subject.
Performing – 30%
Students complete two performances:
- One solo performance
- One ensemble performance (playing or singing with others)
These are recorded in school when students feel confident and ready. Performances are assessed on accuracy, expression, and how well students communicate the style of the music.
Composing – 30%
Students create two original pieces of music:
- One free composition where they choose the style and ideas
- One composition set to a brief released by the exam board in Year 11
This component allows students to develop creativity, structure musical ideas, and use the musical elements they have learned in class.
Listening & Appraising Exam – 40%
At the end of Year 11, students sit a written listening exam. They answer questions on:
- Musical features they hear in extracts
- Set works studied in class
- How different pieces of music compare
- Use of musical vocabulary
The exam includes a mixture of short answers and one longer written response.
Why Study GCSE Music
GCSE Music is a brilliant choice if you want a subject that builds confidence, creativity, and real‑world skills. It gives you the chance to develop your performance abilities, learn how music is created, and explore a wide range of styles—from classical to film music to pop. The course suits anyone who enjoys making or listening to music, whether you’re already experienced or just enthusiastic. Music also strengthens teamwork, communication, and problem‑solving, which are valued in every career path. If you want a subject that’s enjoyable, expressive, and opens doors to future opportunities, GCSE Music is a strong and rewarding option.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)
Music – Year 7
Year 7 builds on students’ prior knowledge from Primary school. The curriculum is designed to develop the students as rounded musicians as they study the three fundamentals of music: Performing, Appraising and Composing
What will students study in Year 7?
| Term | Content | Assessment Focus | Topics for Revision |
| Autumn 1 | Rhythm and Pulse | Pulse, Tempo, Rhythmic notation | Pulse, rhythm, notation, Ensemble skills |
| Autumn 2 | World Music – African Drumming | Rhythmic, performance and compositional skills | Rhythmic notation, Compositional skills, musical elements. |
| Spring 1 | Keyboard skills | Performance skills, Appraising | Musical elements, Notation and Note reading on Treble clef |
| Spring 2 | Reggae Music | Musical elements, performance and compositional skills. | World Music. Musical elements and ensemble skills |
| Summer 1 | Composition to a Stimulus | Composition skills and understanding of musical elements. | Film Music, Musical elements and their use in describing a scene |
| Summer 2 | Music Through Time | Appraising and performance skills | Western musical timeline, Musical elements and how their use changed over time starting with medieval |
How is your child assessed?
Assessment focuses on:
- Performances in lesson
- Written Music Appraisal questions
- Composition tasks
How might you help at home?
- Ensure your child completes all set homework
- Support Knowledge Organiser revision, especially topic key words.
- Discuss what they are studying to strengthen understanding.
- Encourage listening to a wide range of music and attending an extracurricular club
Music – Year 8
Year 8 deepens and broadens the skills established in Year 7. Students explore a wide range of music and continue to develop their understanding of music to become rounded musicians. The curriculum builds on the musical foundation to prepare them for the challenge of year 9
What will students study in Year 8?
| Term | Content | Assessment Focus | Topics for Revision |
| Autumn 1 | World Music | Rhythm and Pulse, Ensemble skills | World Music, Rhythm notation, Performance skills |
| Autumn 2 | Pop Music | Performance, Appraising, Note reading | Primary Chords, Musical Elements, Note reading |
| Spring 1 | Keyboard Skills | Performance skills, Appraising | Musical elements, Notation and Note reading on Treble and Bass Clef. |
| Spring 2 | Blues Music | Primary Chords, Basic harmonic understanding, Keyboard skills, Ensemble skills | Musical elements, Music notation, Primary chords. |
| Summer 1 | Film Performance | Keyboard skills, Leitmotifs, Appraising | Film Music, Musical elements and their use in describing a scene |
| Summer 2 | Film Composition | Musical elements, Composition, Leitmotifs, Appraising | Film Music, Musical elements and their use in describing a scene. Primary chords, Musical elements. |
How is your child assessed?
Assessment focuses on:
- Performances in lesson
- Written Music Appraisal questions
- Composition tasks
How might you help at home?
- Ensure your child completes all set homework
- Support Knowledge Organiser revision, especially topic key words.
- Discuss what they are studying to strengthen understanding.
- Encourage listening to a wide range of music and attending an extracurricular club
Music – Year 9
Year 9 consolidates learning from Key Stage 3 and prepares students for the demands of GCSE study. Students explore increasingly complex Music and refine Composing, Appraising and Performance Skills.
What will students study in Year 9?
| Term | Content | Assessment Focus | Topics for Revision |
| Autumn 1 | Minimalism | Rhythm and Pulse, Polyrhythms, performance and appraising. | Minimalism, Notation reading, Rhythm notation |
| Autumn 2 | Jazz and Blues | Composition, Appraising. | Primary chords, keyboard skills, notation reading. |
| Spring 1 | Music through time | Analytical Writing | Western musical timeline, Musical elements and how their use changed over time Baroque – Romantic |
| Spring 2 | Music for Film and Games | Keyboard skills, underscore, Appraising | Film Music, Musical elements and their use in describing a scene |
| Summer 1 | Composition to a set brief | Composition to a brief. | Musical elements, keyboard skills, Chords and notation. |
| Summer 2 | Performance Pop Cover | Keyboard and vocal performance | Primary Chords, Musical Elements, Note reading |
How is your child assessed?
Assessment focuses on:
- Performances in lesson
- Written Music Appraisal questions
- Composition tasks
How might you help at home?
- Ensure your child completes all set homework
- Support Knowledge Organiser revision, especially topic key words.
- Discuss what they are studying to strengthen understanding.
- Encourage listening to a wide range of music and attending an extracurricular club