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TSR Wiki > Study Help > Exams and Qualifications > GCSEs > Music GCSE
OCR
Format
AoS1 is examined by coursework. 2, 3 and 4 are examined by the listening exam.
Coursework - 60%Integrated courseworkThis is where you have to study 3 pieces on your chosen instrument, each with a common theme - for example, they may all have Alberti basses (piano); all below the break (clarinet); have scalic passages; are in a jazz style; are all dances; are preludes, etc. Of the 3 that you choose to study, you must perform one of them for 10% of the integrated coursework. You must also compose in the style, which makes up the next 10%. The final 10% is for the appraising: the performance appraisal; the composition brief; and the composition evaluation. The performance appraisal is where you outline the similarities, differences, history etc of the 3 pieces, and where you also critique your own performance of one of them. The composition brief is where you outline what you are intending to compose. The evaluation is where you obviously evaluate your composition. Overall, the whole appraisal should probably be around 3-5 pages in length. Further courseworkThe other half of the 60% coursework block is further coursework. The two performances, accounting for 10% each, can be anything you like, although one does have to be an ensemble, whereby there are 2+ distinct parts, and where you must have a major melody line. The final 10% is further composition. This has to be in the style of one of the styles you have studied in Areas of Study 3 OR 4. I.e. for AoS3 Waltz, Pavane & Galliard or Disco; for AoS4, Bhangra, Minimalism or Salsa. The Waltz seems like a very popular choice here, as it has a very distinct style, but it is entirely up to you and your teacher. For further coursework, there is no necessity for an appraisal, although you do have to write a brief for the composition (though it is not marked!).
Terminal Task - 15%This is a unique aspect of the OCR course. You are given a choice of 3 stimuli: rhythm, note or a chord patterns. They are usually 2 bars or so in length. Using one of the stimuli, you must compose a melody in 25 minutes. You can use an instrument of your choice, and you can choose to either perform the melody or give in a score. The task is marked out of 15; 10 for the melody and 5 for the performance. To get good marks for the melody, you must use the given stimuli well - but you must also integrate some of your own ideas. The key is structure - it is essential, to get higher than 6/10, to have some kind of defining structure; e.g. ternary, rondo, AABA, etc. To get full marks for the performance aspect, you should put in dynamics, expression, articulation etc into your performance; if handing in a score, you should write these in. Do not worry too much about these. At the beginning of the corse, this does sound daunting; but as time progresses, it will definitely get easier. By the end, I even had a generic melody ready for use, which I just modified on the day to suit the stimuli given.
Listening ExamThe final part of the GCSE is the listening exam, which accounts for 25% - considerably less than the other exam boards, which appear to have a 40% exam element. The key to success is definitely time management - you must be able to multi task, because you have to answer multiple questions while trying to listen to the recordings at the same time. A good idea when you're really stuck, is to write everything you know about the style you're hearing, regardless of whether you can disctinctly hear it or not - the chances are it is there.
Edexcel
This description refers to the Edexcel specification for those who sat or are sitting the summer 2008, summer 2009 and summer 2010. Please note that there was a modification to the specification in 2008, so that the exam in summer 2007 was the last of the former specification. There will also be a new specification starting to be taught from September 2009, with first exam in summer 2011. Coursework: 60%30% performanceFor component 1426/01, the performance comprises of 15% solo performing (1 piece, less than five minutes, and a score should be submitted) and 15% ensemble performance (1 piece). One of these is to be drawn from the same Area of Study as Composition 1. 30% composingIn the new specification: 15% Composition 1 (based on the same Area of Study as one of the Performances), 15% Composition 2 (based on a different Area of Study). They must both conform to the topics within the Area of Study, and have a score or written commentary and a recording, with a pro forma. The brief is described and the fulfillment of the brief described on the pro forma. Listening exam: 40%The listening exam is a large part of the coruse and one that cannot be ignored despite the large amount of coursework. However, there is ample time to listen to the music, and ample to write. The specification has a range of key terms that should be learnt for the exam. And if you cannot hear particular items in the music but know its era, you may want to circumvent this by regurgitating information. However, it is always best to listen to key aspects of the music. A range of question types including multiple choice, melody completion, grid completion and free response questions can be found in the exam. It lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Exam practice is invaluable to gaining the A* at GCSE level, as the papers ask for specific answers which require a little experience to fully understand what they are looking for. Many students find that a knowledge of general music theory is foregone for knowledge of merely the syllabus. Areas of Study
The 2003-2007 specification for 1426
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