Useful Websites
My Music Online
Purpose & Aims: The purpose of the National 5 Music course is to provide candidates with a broad practical experience in performing, creating and understanding music. The course enables candidates to work independently or in collaboration with others and can help them to plan and organise, to make decisions and to take responsibility for their own learning.
The course aims to enable candidates to: broaden their knowledge and understanding of music and musical literacy by listening to music and identifying level-specific music concepts, signs and symbols, creating original music using compositional methods, and perform music.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is suitable for learners with an interest in developing their skills in music and a general understanding of music. The course allows learners to consolidate and reinforce prior skills in music, and knowledge and understanding of music developed through other qualifications or experience. It can also provide a pathway for those who want to progress to higher levels of study. The course takes account of the needs of different learners and can be contextualised to suit a diverse range of learner needs, interests and aspirations. There is considerable scope for personalisation and choice through the activities of performing, creating and listening to music, and through opportunities for using music technology to create music.
Qualification StructureThe standard of performance required is Grade 3 and is a natural progression from Level 4 in S3.
Performance Exam: 50% of your overall award will be from a live performance exam in front of an examiner, where you will play an 8-minute program using both your specialist instruments
Understanding Music Exam: 35% of your overall award will be from a listening exam in May
Composition Folio: 15% of your overall award will be from your submission of an original composition you have created an accompanying review.
❖All woodwind and brass learners are strongly encouraged to play in the wind band to develop their literacy skills, aural awareness, general musicianship skills and most importantly their confidence.
❖Senior Phase singers are strongly encouraged to audition for ‘Schola Cantorum’ to develop their vocal warm-up techniques, harmony skills, aural awareness, general musicianship skills and, most importantly, confidence.
