There doesn't seem to be a topic about this but.. has anyone done or is doing Music GCSE with AQA? I'm doing it next year and just wondered what your experiences of it were. Anything welcome!

I just finished my gcse, i think it went ok- but i don't have my results yet haha. In my opinion, it's better than the other boards as you don't have to suggest a composer- which i couldn't do. Good luck with your gcse.

yeah, i'm with this board too. i did an old listening paper of theirs for exam week (1999 i think) and it was hard. But after 10 years, i'm sure the papers have gotten easier.

we're also working on composition now, there are apparently quite a few that you have to do.

You have to submit two compositions - one for your 'music for a special event', and the other for your integrated assignment. At the end, you will have to write about your integrated assignment composition under controlled conditions.

In the first year, you'll do some compositions, but these are just for practice.

I've just finished the AQA GCSE music course this year, and I have to say, even though it has its challeneges, I've really enjoyed it! I like the fact that it's 75% coursework (25% performing a solo and ensemble, 25% the composition for a special event, and 25% Integrated Assignment) so only 1/4 of the marks are from the listening exam at the end. The listening exam was the hardest for me, but other people find this is the easy bit! The Integrated Assignment can be a bit confusing, but you are given a booklet with 5 different composition briefs (one for each area of study) and you can choose which one you follow. The marks are divided into 3 areas - the actual score of the composition, the recording of it (best to do this live) and then a written exam at the end of the course where you answer questions like "how did you make your work in the style of xxx?" or "write about the musical features you have used". This can seem a bit daunting but you can make notes beforehand and take them into the exam, so it's not too bad! I hope this was helpful, and good luck with your music!
FluteDiva

Ah, ok, thanks. i was getting worried because it really isn't my strong point!

We have to do Music for Special Events, I know that, for the integrated assignment. I think in yr10 we are going to do lots of music things which will benefit everyone, like singing SATB harmony etc (and aren't part of the course)

oh yeah, we've being doing that and other stuff. it's really to enhance our musical skills. no point getting a GCSE blindly.

I've just finished my AQA course, and I'm really disappointed that it's my first course to finish! I've really enjoyed it - each section offers different challenges and opportunities. It's been great to be creative through composition, and to be part of a group when practicing performances and ensembles, and there's also the chance to get some good old-fashioned, hard studying in for the listening exam. It's an enjoyable course compared to a lot of others (English, Languages etc), but it's equally as challenging.

Good luck - you'll have a great time haha!