YR9 Options Booklet 2022

be three minutes of solo and one minute of ensemble, or two minutes of each
etc. Students are encouraged to do several performances throughout the
course, so that we can then choose the best ones.
2. Composing (30%)
Students are required to submit two compositions for this part of the GCSE.
There must be at least three minutes’ worth of music from both compositions.
One composition is written to a brief set by the board. That is, you must
compose for a specific situation of their choosing. The other composition is a
completely free choice.
3. Listening (40%)
This is the only part of the GCSE that is an actual examination.
Over the two years, students study eight pieces of music ranging in style from
classical music to popular music and music from other cultures. They also learn
about the general characteristics of various styles of music.
These are the eight Set Works, within four Areas of Study:
Instrumental Music 1700 – 1820
Vocal Music
Brandenburg Concerto No 1 st Movement from Piano
5. 3 rd Movement Sonata no 8 ‘Pathetique’ ‘Music for a While’ Killer Queen
J S Bach L van Beethoven H Purcell Queen
Music for Stage and Screen
Fusions
‘Defying Gravity’ from Star Wars Episode 4:
Wicked
A New Hope Release Samba Em Preludio
S Schwartz J Williams Afro Celt Sound System Esperanza Spalding
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