Music National 5
This course has 3 units – Performing Skills, Composing Skills and Understanding Music:
Performing Skills (50%)
Practical exam in February/March to a visiting examiner.
Performance – either on 2 instruments
OR one instrument and voice
An 8 minute programme on 2 instruments or one instrument and voice. There must be a minimum of 2 minutes within the overall 8 minute programme. The contrasting programme must be a minimum of Grade III from any of the following – Associated Board, Trinity Guildhall or Rockschool Syllabus or their equivalent.
Composing Skills Assignment (15%)
Compose one piece of music lasting between a minimum of one minute and a maximum of 2minutes and 30 seconds which demonstrates the use of compositional methods and music concepts in creative ways. An audio recording, a score or performance plan and a composing review is required. This unit will be externally assessed by SQA.
Understanding Music (35%)
A final listening exam which will cover knowledge and understanding, a range of concepts, styles of music and basic musical literacy.
Recommended Entry
While entry is at the discretion of the department, candidates will normally be expected to have attained National 4.
Music Higher
This course has 3 units – Performing Skills, Composing Skills and Understanding Music:
Performing Skills (50%)
Practical exam in February/March to a visiting examiner.
Performance – either on 2 instruments
OR one instrument and voice
A 12 minute programme on 2 instruments or one instrument and voice. There must be a minimum of 4 minutes within the overall 12 minute programme. The contrasting programme must be a minimum of Grade IV from any of the following – Associated Board, Trinity Guildhall, or Rockschool Syllabus or their equivalent.
Composing Skills Assignment (15%)
Compose one piece of music lasting between a minimum of one minute and a maximum of 3 minutes which demonstrates the use of compositional methods and music concepts in creative ways. An audio recording, a score or performance plan and a composing review is required. This unit will be externally assessed by SQA.
Understanding Music (35%)
A final listening exam which will cover the stylistic and compositional features of music from 1450 to the present day. It will also include musical literacy.
Recommended Entry
While entry is at the discretion of the department, candidates will normally be expected to have attained National 5.
Music Advanced Higher
This course has 3 units – Performing Skills, Composing Skills and Understanding Music:
Performing Skills (50%)
Practical exam in April / May to a visiting examiner.
Performance – either on 2 instruments
OR one instrument and voice
An 18 minute programme on 2 instruments or one instrument and voice. There must be a minimum of 8 minutes within the overall 18 minute programme. The contrasting programme must be a minimum of Grade V from any of the following – Associated Board, Trinity Guildhall, or Rockschool Syllabus or their equivalent.
Composing Skills (15%)
Compose one piece of music lasting between a minimum of one minute and a maximum of 4 minutes and 30 seconds, which demonstrates the use of compositional methods and music concepts in creative ways. An audio recording, a score or performance plan and a composing review is required. Analyse a piece of music by a different composer with reference to compositional techniques and music concepts used. This unit will be externally assessed by SQA.
Understanding Music (35%)
A final listening exam which will cover the stylistic and compositional features of music from 1450 to the present day. It will also include musical literacy.
Recommended Entry
While entry is at the discretion of the centre, candidates will normally be expected to have attained Higher pass at B or above.