Senior Phase Music Course Outlines
Subject Overview:
Courses: Music (National 3 – National 5)
The courses are designed to help learners deepen their understanding of technical music vocabulary (concepts) and music literacy, and to integrate and apply this understanding in a practical setting. Building from skills developed in the BGE, students will create a personalised programme of music to perform across their chosen two instruments or one instrument and voice. They will learn about level-specific concepts through a mix of listening, composition and performance activities. Details of course assessments for each level are outlined below:
Webster’s High School Music Course National 3 – National 5
National 3
|
Component |
Assessment Evidence |
Assessment date |
|
Performing Skills |
Recorded sections of pieces on two instruments including evaluations. |
Evidence gathered throughout the course. Internal assessment.
Completion due April. |
|
Understanding Music |
Unit listening and literacy assessments. |
|
|
Composing Skills |
Creating original music with support. Evidence could include recordings, score and/or performance plan and is supported with an evaluation. |
National 4
|
Component |
Assessment Evidence |
Assessment date |
|
Performance Instrument 1 |
At least two pieces on each instrument, with a total time of 8 minutes and a minimum of 2 minutes on each instrument. Grade 2 ABRSM or equivalent. |
AVU at end of course (April) Internal assessment |
|
Performance Instrument 2 |
||
|
Understanding Music |
Unit listening and literacy assessments. |
Evidence gathered throughout the course. |
|
Composition |
Creating original music with support. Evidence could include recordings, score and/or performance plan and is supported with an evaluation. |
National 5
|
Component |
Assessment |
Assessment Date |
Worth |
|
Performance Instrument 1* |
At least two pieces on each instrument, with a total time of 8 minutes and a minimum of 2 minutes on each instrument. Grade 3 ABRSM or equivalent. |
Practical exam diet: QS assessor (February/March)
|
25% |
|
Performance Instrument 2* |
25% |
||
|
Understanding Music |
Understanding Music Exam (supported by unit tests throughout course) |
Main exam diet (April/May) |
35% |
|
Composition |
Coursework: 1 original piece of music supported with a score/performance plan, audio recording and evaluation. |
By Easter holiday (submitted to QS for marking) |
15% |
*Practical prelims take place in early December. Students are expected to play 3 complete pieces.