Studying music at GCSE level leads to success in other areas and develops important transferable skills. 72% of business leaders seek creativity in job candidates, and students involved in music score higher on IQ tests and other subjects. The GCSE music course involves performing, composing, and developing theoretical knowledge of music history, terms, and reading. There are many career opportunities in music, such as composing for films, TV, and games, as well as performing, teaching, and working as a DJ or sound engineer for events.

1. GCSE Music

2. Why study music for the GCSE?
Studying music leads to success:
• 72% of business leaders that creativity is the number one skill they are seeking when
hiring.
• Children involved in music score 7.2 points higher in I.Q. tests.
• A recent study in the UK found that playing a musical instrument appears to enhance
general performance in other subjects at GCSE level.
• Transferable skills: music study involves the ability to be disciplined; to set goals; to work
both independently and as part of a team.

3. President J.F.Kennedy on the Importance of
the Arts
I look forward to an America which will reward achievement in the
arts as we reward achievement in business or statecraft. I look
forward to an America which will steadily raise the standards of
artistic accomplishment and which will steadily enlarge cultural
opportunities for all of our citizens. And I look forward to an
America which commands respect throughout the world not only
for its strength but for its civilization as well.

4. GCSE MUSIC COURSE (AQA)
Module
Percentage
Weighting
Group B
Performance 30%
You will perform on your chosen instrument to a
minimum standard of 3rd grade equivalent by Yr 11:
there are many instruments to choose from but good
examples are: piano, guitar, singing, drums, violin and
many many more.
Composition 30%
You will compose your own music on Digital Audio
Workstations such as GarageBand or similar. If you are
interested and skilled in IT you will enjoy this part of the
music course.
Theory 40%
You will sit a paper involving the study of musical set
works but also listening and analysing unfamiliar works
too. Key skills developed will be knowledge of the
history of Western Music as well as Pop Music and Folk
Music. You will also learn about musical terms, keys
and of course learning to be fluent in music reading.

5. Careers in music
• Have a think about when you hear
music: everytime you turn on Netflix,
Amazon Prime, Disney Plus.
Someone wrote, played and recorded
the music that goes with your
favourite shows.
• Every computer game you ever
played: someone wrote, played and
recorded the music for it.
• All of central London is about:
restaurants and theatre: Hundreds
and hundreds of both. Singers, actors,
musicians, sound engineers, audio
designers and artists are the beating
heart of this great city.
• Not everyone wants to be a performer but
most people want music in their lives. A
great musician can be a music teacher at
primary, secondary or tertiary school.
Music tutors in all instruments are full time
jobs that are paid very competitively. If
you love making music you can also earn
money sharing it with others.
• DJS and events: every wedding or
conference at every hotel in the world has
music, sound and performers. This is the
largest part of the industry. Sound
engineers, DJS and cover bands are to be
found in all these places. This is a highly
profitable and rewarding sector of the
music economy.