Overview
The music courses offered from National 3 – Advanced Higher will develop candidates ability to Perform, Compose and Identify features as they listen to a variety of styles of music. Performance is at the centre of these courses
Entry requirements
National 3/4 – Competent performing skills in S1/2
National 5 – Pass at National 4 or performing skills at Grade 3 standard
Higher – Grades A, B or C at National 5 level
Advanced Higher – Grades A, B or C at Higher
Assessment
Performing
National 5/Higher/Adv H – 50% of the overall mark. Candidates will be expected to perform on 2 instruments or 1 instrument and voice. All candidates will be offered lessons on at least one of these instruments.
Performances will be assessed by a visiting examiner in Feb/March for N5/H and May for Adv H. The performance requirements are 8 minutes at National 5, 12 minutes at Higher and 18 minutes at Advanced Higher.
The minimum standard is:
National 5 – Grade 3
Higher – Grade 4
Adv Higher – Grade 5
Composing
Composing Assignment – worth 15% of the overall marks.
Candidates explore and then create one original piece of music, building competence in handling a range of compositional techniques. Students have access to and develop skills in using Music software such as Sibelius, Garageband and Pro Tools. An audio file, together with a score or performance plan and review, is submitted to SQA for marking.
Understanding Music
Listening question paper – 35% of the overall mark
Candidates will learn how to identify a range of styles and concepts as they listen to music. They will develop their skills in identifying music notation as they follow a score. The question paper is worth 40 marks and will be completed during the SQA exam diet in May.
Careers in Music
Performer or composer
Primary/secondary teacher or visiting specialist
Music Therapist
Sound engineer
Broadcasting/film/video Radio producer –
Event manager
Arts administrator
Community arts worker
Music retailer/publisher
Castlebrae Community Campus 