Music GCSE - no brainer or waste of an option?

I took mine in 1996, so maybe out of date. But GCSE (and A level) music are very academic subjects and were at that time seen as a good option by universities including Oxbridge and what is now RG etc. The options for papers I chose gave a minority weighting to performance, 20% from recollection.
Studying music helps develop a broad range of skills and ability. It’s creative and practical but you also learn theory (mathematics) and history.

Music GCSE was a no brainier for my DS. He had achieved 2 grade 8’s at age 10 and age 12, and grade 5 theory at age 12. The GCSE was a light relief and allowed him to put all his focus and effort into his other options. He got a 9 in his GCSE and has now gone on to do music A level alongside further maths and business.

Music GCSE is 40/30/30 Musical analysis/composing/performance. At Grade 6 now, the performance marks are basically in the mark. Depends whether he is interested in the musical analysis and composing bits of music ahead of studying different things in another subject. If he is, taking music does mean 60% of the qualification is coursework so takes pressure off at exam time.

Look at what they will be studying - is it stuff that will interest him? Does he enjoy composition?

DD never considered music. She doesn't enjoy composing, and the options chosen by the teacher at her school don't align with her interests. The local sixth form will take them for music A-level with grade 5 theory and practical, which she already had, so she's not ruled out from picking it up later.

Certainly not a waste of a GCSE. Regardless of whether a child wants to study it at A-level it shows that the student can organise at a high level and can use creative side of brain which helps analytical thinking and problem solving .

Take the gcse and the good grade that’ll come with probably less effort than in other subjects. Everyone needs something they fine less difficult just as a respite from the heavy workload.

My sons both took music at GCSE (both got G8 in Y11). S1 got A*, S2 got 9. Seem to have enjoyed it, even though half or most of the class were definitely not as advanced.

They were possibly lucky in their offered options - taking music meant that they didn't do a second foreign language or geography, but that was all. (For example they didn't have to reject music in favour of Enough Science for A-level, which I did.)

S1 did STEM A-levels, S2 is doing history/politics/sociology.

The practical playing side is mostly covered in peri lessons - performance was an easy module for both of them - and neither has massively gone for composition, though I'm pretty sure S1 would not have done all his music arranging without the GCSE classes.

Unless there's a subject your son definitely needs and definitely can't do at the same time as music, it's not a waste.

(Having said that, I know quite a few Musicians who were quite sniffy about GCSE Music, even going so far as to say their children were Better Off not taking it... that was about 2014 though.)

How can any subject someone loves be a 'waste'?

Studying something we love and are good at is so lucky and can hopefully bring joy. What would be a waste is studying something boring because other people think it more 'useful'.

It should always be the child's decision anyway.

What sort of career does he want? What might he do for A levels?

What does your ds think? Kind of irrelevant what others think isn't it?

If he's desperate to do say Drama, and the only slot for drama is the same one as music, then he should drop music. If music is the subject he's most keen on in that slot then he should do music.

It's always worth taking a subject you enjoy and are good at.

Music GCSE is very different to just learning an instrument. If he’s considering music at all at A level he should do it.

Having Grade 6 performance standard will be a huge help. However if he hates composition or analysis/music history he should reconsider as together they form a large proportion.

Music GCSE is never a waste of an option for someone who enjoys the subject.

If you mean in terms of 'value for next steps' it would be valid for any application for top unis and any others. If you mean 'waste of a slot for subjects' then there are so many compulsory subjects that may be dry to an individual student that it is important to have some choices that you are interested in! Grade 6 already at year 9 suggests promise for a good grade for the performance element. The rub for my DC has been the composition which students may find hard or easy and mine found it very difficult. That would be my only worry if my next DC along was making that choice now. I would also look at how students do in that school in past years and whether the school is able to achieve/gain/get students to top grades if indeed you think your DC is of that ilk.

Sorry my post isn't clear, when I say the breakdown of marks has changed, I mean for GCSE; the A level DD started was on the new spec hence her not enjoying it as much as she thought.

That's a very good level and certainly AFAIK above GCSE level. But they will learn new skills so it would still be useful. Surely a slam dunk for a good grade as well?

But then you say "waste" of an option. Are there many other subjects he would wish to choose?

My DD did music GCSE (last year of old spec) and had planned to do A level, but in the end changed as while she did well in the exam, the composition was tough for her. I presume the breakdown of marks has changed now and I don't know details, but she started A level and found it focused too much on the elements she didn't enjoy.

She did G6 in yr 11 IIRC so not at your son's level. Is he planning to do music A level? music at uni or go to music college?