Music Performing National 5
Performing on Two Instruments
Pupils will continue to develop their skills on their chosen instruments. Through regular practice they will build a repertoire of pieces on each instrument, which will be examined externally by SQA in March. This will be worth 50% of the overall examination.
Listening
Pupils will continue to develop their analysis skills to understand different genres of music, as well as being able to identify and describe key features in the music. This will culminate in an external listening paper in May, which is worth 35% of the overall exam.
Composing
Pupils will build on the skills learnt throughout their BGE S3 composing experience. This year they will work individually on their chosen style of music. They may write for their own musical instrument or use technology, such as Sibelius or Garageband, to help create their own piece. A programme note is required to describe the significant decisions made, the processes used and their evaluation of their own piece. This is externally marked by SQA and is worth 15% of the overall exam.
Music Technology National 5
Assignments
Pupils will chose two projects from a number of contexts; radio broadcast, audio book, computing game, sound foley or live band recording. In each project pupils will use their sound engineering skills to capture and enhance their chosen project. A diary/log is required to detail the process. Together this is worth 70% of the overall course.
Written Paper
A listening paper will test pupils on their general knowledge of popular music from the early 1900’s to the present day. As well as this, they will learn about the technological developments of the 20th century and the impact they had on the music industry. They will also learn and be tested on their ability to identify sounds that have been enhanced or changed using music technology. This paper is worth 30% of the overall course.
Music Technology Higher
Assignments
Pupils are required to write one project from a number of contexts; radio broadcast, audio book, computing game, sound foley or live band recording. In their chosen project pupils will use their sound engineering skills to capture and enhance their chosen sounds. A diary/log is required to detail the process. Together this is worth 70% of the overall course.
Written Paper
A listening paper will test pupils on their general knowledge and understanding of 20th and 21st century genres of music, and an understanding of how music technology has influenced, and been influenced by, developments in 20th and 21st century musical key innovators. They will develop an understanding of aspects of the music industry, including an understanding of the implications of, and the need to protect, intellectual property rights. This exam is worth 30% of the overall total of the exam.
Advanced Higher Music
Performing on Two Instruments
Pupils will continue to develop their skills on their chosen instruments. Through regular practice they will build a repertoire of pieces on each instrument, which will be examined externally by SQA in March. This performance must be eighteen minutes in length, split between their two instruments. This performance is 60% of the overall examination.
Listening
Pupils will continue to develop their analysis skills to understand different genres of music, as well as being able to identify and describe key features in the music. This will culminate in an external listening paper in May, which is worth 40% of the overall exam. As well as the final listening paper pupils will be asked to analyse two pieces/movements of music and describe the social and cultural impact on their chosen extracts. This will be internally assessed.
Composing
Pupils will build on their Higher composing experience, enhancing skills and creating a new piece of music. They may write for their own musical instrument or use technology, such as Sibelius or Garageband, to help create their own piece. A programme note is required to describe the significant decisions made, the processes used and their evaluation of their piece. This is internally assessed.
Performing on One Instrument/Voice
This standalone unit is predominately focused on developing performing skills. The pupil has a practice routine and works towards building up a repertoire of music lasting fifteen minutes. They are also required to write around a two hundred word programme note on one of the pieces they perform. This performance can be recorded throughout the year or performed in a concert setting.
