GCSE Music offers students an exciting opportunity to develop their musical interests; to build on and refine those developed at Key Stage 3, as well as learning new skills.
The course is ideally suited to those with good performance skills who are passionate about actively listening to a wide range of music, as well as writing their own pieces.
Students develop their theoretical understanding of music, study a wide variety of genres including Musical Theatre, Classical, Pop and World Music.
The interconnected skills of appraising, performing and composing music are all developed during the course and benefit each other. Our comprehensive and vibrant co-curricular programme means students can complement their learning through playing or singing in an ensemble, attending theory classes or the Music Technology club.
The GCSE course links seamlessly with the A Level Music course taught in St Edmund’s Sixth Form.
Course structure
To gain an early insight into the types of music covered, go to YouTube or Spotify and search Edexcel GCSE Music 9-1 Set Works for playlists of all the set pieces.
Four areas of study
Area of study |
Set works |
Instrumental music |
J.S. Bach: 3rd Movement from Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in D major. L. Van Beethoven: 1st Movement from Piano Sonata no. 8 in C minor ‘Pathétique’ |
Vocal music |
Purcell: Music for a While Queen. Queen: Killer Queen (from the album Sheer Heart Attack) |
Music for stage and screen |
Schwartz: Defying Gravity (from the cast recording of Wicked). J. Williams: Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner (from the soundtrack to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) |
Fusions |
Afro Celt Sound System: Release (from the album Volume 2: Release). Esperanza Spalding: Samba Em Preludio (from the album Esperanza) |
The GCSE Music course has 3 components for assessment: