1. GCSE Music 2018
Edexcel Exam Board

2. Examination Requirements
Component 1- Performing 30%
Component 2- Composing 30%
Component 3 – Appraising 40%

3. Solo Performance: Expectation – 1 Solo Performance.
Deadline : recorded by Wednesday 20th December 2017.
At least 1 minute long.
GCSE Concert good opportunity to re-record: 22/03/18.

4. Solo Performance - Hints
Practise, practise, practise!!!
Consult outside teachers for advice.
Discuss repertoire with Mr. Starr.
Organise piano parts, other musicians etc as soon as possible.

5. Solo Performance – Levels of Difficulty
Pieces marked out of 24 then adjusted to a mark out of 30:
Less Difficult – Grades 1 – 3 (marks lower).
Standard – Grade 4. (Marks remain).
More Difficult. Grade 5+ Marks increase.
“Non Grade” pieces are compared to find appropriate level or listed by Edexcel.

6. Ensemble Performance:
Deadline : 09/02/18. Re-record 22/03/18, GCSE concert.
At least 1minute long.
Must be 3 or more musicians/singers with parts that are not doubled. Outside students/teachers can be involved.
Piano duets acceptable.
Piano accompanying acceptable (solo part is not an ensemble.)

7. Ensemble Performance - Hints
Practise, practise, practise!!!!
Consult with teachers for advice.
Discuss repertoire with Mr.Starr.
Organise your co-performers quickly! Make sure they can play/sing their parts!
Can be recorded outside of school.
Levels of difficulty same as Solo Performance.

8. Performance - General
Solo and ensemble must add up to 4 minutes or more combined.
Recordings can be made outside school but must be done by Music staff.
Play an easier piece accurately, fluently, expressively rather than a more difficult piece with errors.

9. Composition: Expectation – 2 compositions.
1 piece based on a set brief, 1 piece a free composition.
Acoustic, electronic, computer based or a combination.
Both pieces to last at least 3 minutes overall.
Deadlines –
Composition 1 : 20/12/17.
Composition 2 : 20/03/18

10. Composition - Hints Review in detail all of your Year 10 pieces.
Look closely at guidance sheets.
Study the Set Works for ideas/thoughts/directions/styles/approaches etc.
Use sample materials on the Edexcel website.
At least 5 hours to be spent on each piece.

11. Appraising: 1 written examination lasting 1hr 45 mins. Content:
Section A (8 questions), Section B (1question).
Questions based on 8 set works.
Questions also based on unfamiliar but related music.

12. Appraising: Exam date : TBC Extra sessions : Wednesday 12:45- 1:30pm.
Revision booklet : after Christmas.
PPEs:
18/12/17.
26/03/18.

13. Appraising: Hints.
Listen to ALL set works with scores/notes/questions etc. Recordings available on Youtube.
Listen to related composers e.g. Purcell – Handel, Bach. Queen – Beach Boys, Alicia Keys.
Revision booklet : available after Christmas.
Students’ weaker areas to be targeted including particular focus in extra sessions.
Student Book, Anthology and Revision Guide all very useful. Available from Edexcel website.