GCSE MUSIC 

 

 

The OCR Music GCSE course is designed to inspire the musicians of the future. Confidence, skills nd understanding of music will be developed to the point that students will be able progress to study A Level Music. 

 

Teacher assessments are continuous during LIVE TAUGHT lessons, marking of coursework and assignments and summative tests. 

 

Homework will be given at the end of each week, usually in the form of problems to solve, researching key concepts and practising playing music. 

 

Students and parents have 24/7 access to all coursework and teacher feedback/grades. 

 

BA Hons, PGCE, LLCM, DipABRSM 

 

Your teacher is a freelance musician who has been closely involved with music education for over 25 years. He is a former secondary school music teacher, including 12 years as Head of Music in a Performing Arts Specialist school and has also been the Secondary Curriculum Excellence Advisor for Buckinghamshire. 

 

They are a pianist, singer and percussionist and currently the Curriculum Lead for Buckinghamshire Music Trust, responsible for developing A Level Music, Teaching online to schools in the county and beyond and writing the course for the ABRSM Certificate of Music Education. 

 

They have taught GCSE and A level music for many years and across a number of different boards both in schools and as a private tutor. They pride themselves on an eclectic approach to music, being equally happy in Bach or Bacharach: Their specialisms are jazz and musical theatre. 

 

They are an award-winning music education author having written three books, won ‘Best Music Education Product’ at the Music Teacher Magazine Awards for Excellence. They are also a professional composer and arranger, currently working for Glee Club UK as a vocal and track arranger and has recently started a new role as presenter of The Jazz Hour on his local community radio station. 

 

They are based in High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire and is married with two children. 

 

 

The course will follow the current OCR J536 GCSE specification. 

 

The course will be based on the textbook recommended for the OCR GCSE (see below to purchase before attending your first class). 

 

This specification is well-regarded among colleges and universities due to its integrated structure allowing learners to grasp the interconnection of all aspects of Music practice and appreciation and thereby giving a firm basis from which to springboard into A-level and beyond. 

 

GCSE Music is split into three components: 

Integrated Portfolio (30% of the mark) including: 

Performance on the learner's chosen instrument. 

Composition to a brief set by the learner. 

 

Practical Component (30% of the mark) including: 

Ensemble performance. 

Composition to a board-set brief. 

 

Listening Exam (40% of the mark) testing: 

Listening and appraisal skills related to four areas of study. 

Notation skills. 

 

Technical Requirements: 

• reliable broadband connection. 

• Main Instrument/voice. 

• Means of recording performances (the recording function on smart phones/tablets should suffice but a microphone or recording device would be even better). 

• Means of recording composition e.g. manuscript paper, music software (notation software/DAW/sequencer etc.) audio recording accompanied by written account. 

Progression: to A Level Music. 

Accreditation: Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR). 

Tuition: 2 x LIVE weekly 1 hour lessons, marking and feedback, exam preparation and lots of friendly advice and encouragement 

 

Parents are responsible for arranging their child's examinations at their local registered examination centre. Students study from every part of the globe and so it is not practical for the school to offer a single venue to sit examinations. The provider, alongside; Edexcel, OCR, AQA and will support students in locating a suitable venue for sitting their written and practical examinations. 

 

Guinane, David, Hanh Doan, and Steven Berryman. OCR GCSE Music Study Guide. Rhinegold Education 2016.