MUSIC: ADVANCED HIGHER

Why study Music?

This course makes a valuable contribution to your general education and personal development by providing you with the opportunity to develop interests that will enhance your quality of life. It also allows you to develop the skills and knowledge required, to an advanced level, if you wish to proceed to further study and/or follow a career in music.

Entry to the Course

This is at the discretion of the Principal Teacher, but you would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:

• An award at Higher.
• Appropriate experience of playing two instruments, or one instrument and voice at Grade 4 level (ABRSM) or equivalent.

The course consists of three units:

Performing Skills (60 marks)

• Play two instruments, or one instrument and voice.
• Perform at least 2 pieces on each instrument.
• Perform a programme of pieces, 18 minutes in total, between the two instruments.
• Perform at least 6 minutes on one instrument.

Composing Skills

• Creating music using appropriate Advanced Higher level concepts.
• Compose, improvise and/or arrange your own music.
• Record examples of your composing.
• Provide evidence of progress in creating music in different styles.

Understanding and Analysing Music (40 marks)

• Listen to music from a variety of musical styles.
• Identify and recognise specific music concepts, as well as music signs and symbols used in music notation.
• Question paper based on recorded excerpts of music and musical literacy.

Course Assessment

Learners will be assessed through either a performance or a portfolio. All learners will also complete a common question paper.

For the performance, learners will prepare and perform a programme of music on two selected instruments or on one selected instrument and voice. This activity will be underpinned by knowledge and understanding of music. It will be sufficiently open and flexible to allow for personalisation and choice.

For the portfolio option, learners will produce a folio of original music. The portfolio will consist of compositions and/or arrangements and/or improvisations. This activity will be underpinned by knowledge and understanding of music and will be sufficiently open and flexible to allow for personalisation and choice.

The question paper will allow learners to demonstrate a depth of conceptual knowledge and understanding of music, music concepts, and musical literacy developed across the Units and the Course.

Progression

This Course or its Units may provide progression to:

♦Higher National programs

♦Higher Education

♦Training or employment

Further advice and information on these options is available from your Subject Teacher, Home Area Principal Teacher and Careers Adviser.