GCSE options - is music a soft option?

That is odd Seeker - at dd's school(also 'specialist music status') the head of Music is considering telling girls not to take A-level music unless they already have Grade 5 theory as this year its been a struggle for those who don't to keep up (and difficult for her to keep them on track).

Seeker, not sure if it's the same school but seem to remember it might be the one I went to...in which case it has special music status I think nowadays?

I cans ee that they might recommend that path because if you're already grade 5 you might be better focusing on alternative qualifications at that level, as you already have a personal commitment to music as it were...though it is strange because so much in GCSE is far beyond even grade 5 theory as far as I recall.

I got grade 7 with distinction at 13, and still went on to do music gcse and found it quite a challenge...got an A though fortunately. Is it a prerequisite to go on to A level? I think it was when I did it.

I did music O level - I really struggled with the practical but the composition was just maths imo

I got my best grade because I was interested

Music GCSE is deeply satisfying in a way that preparing for grades isn't.

I can't imagine why your DD's school says that, seeker. I think the school is doing its musicians a diservice.

There is so much more to music GCSE than being able to pass a grade 5 practical. The composition element is really testing and a very enjoyable creative outlet for those who like that sort of thing.

To be honest, it's one of the few GCSEs where the child is free to explore his/her own ideas, rather than regurgitate facts. My eldest loves it-and he got G8 in his main instrument over two years ago.

At my dd;s school, they are told not to take music GCSE if they are grade 5 and above.

Could they do Expressive Arts? There's music involved there and I think it it definitely not thougth of as a doft option.

Saying all that I bloody loved it and got a B

God no. not at all. It's great fun though.

I took music GCSE and you have to be socially brave, capable of performing in front of your peers (no mean task in a roughish comp!), inventing new music, recalling history and origins of music etc, and performing for your final grade. You used to have to have two instruments (although one could be your voice) but not sure if that's still the case.

It's not like Science, but in a way it's harder. Science only demands memory recall and understanding of theories. Music demands physical and mental skill, nerve, memory recall, VERY good listening skills, musical ability, the ability to read some sort of notation (tab for guitarists), groupwork ability (as a core part is group work and if you can't work with a group you simply will not pass), practising time and dedication.

oh, and music is a good subject to have if they want to do physics, for example, at a level, because music theory is all about physics and maths.

music as in "music and media" is a soft option (in some opinions) but proper music is not a soft option! it's really really hard!
and oxbridge would actively encourage a child to apply who had a good grade at music GSCE/A-level because it shows that they do more than study books.
it's a p=bloody good skill to have, playing a musical instrument.

i'm pretty sure they all meant as in media studies type music, not music as in a musical instrument and music theory.

Must just (though I see this will not be an issue for your children, but others many be interested) that not only are you expected to be able to show a degree of technical competence, you also need to have the confidence to perfom live in front of an audience and enough creativity to compose your own short pieces.

Absolutely not. Music is HARD, unless your child sight reads music and has been playing the piano since it could sit up. It is one of the more challenging GCSEs to do very well in.

Oh it is hard in one sense - ds has just got his mock results - straight A*s except music which is a B. He is grade 7 nearly 8 piano & cello, grade 5 theory disticntion yadda yadda. So it's not easy as such, but it's a different sort of effort required, and enjoyable.

I did music GCSE, and although I had grade 8 theory and grade 5 practical, I found it quite hard - the composition stuff really challenged me.

Personally, I think it's a lot harder than dance/drama/art/cdt as there are so many elements to it.

I went on to do physics at a Russell group university, and knew a number of people studying physics and music which was considered to be a highly technical option

Dd1 is doing A-level music. Its is by no means a soft option - and I speak as someone who detests any soft options at school. Dd has achieved Grade 5 theory, grade 6 cello and grade 8 singing and has still found it a challenge, particularly composition. Sure, with that much extra-curricular music experience, she found the practical module a doddle (and scored very highly) but found that the AS written paper was a nightmare. (And had to be sent for a remark but that's another story...)

And ignore your dad - Unis, esp Oxbridge, like applicants to have musical activities as they are something that take years of dedication. I'm sure this is why she got an interview for Oxford. Sadly, having gone to a mediocre comp gave her no advantage at the interview.

ds does music GCSE and really enjoys it. There's a lot of composing (30%) and a performance element (30%) and a listening paper which can be quite tricky, but overall although it's supposedly quite well regarded it's not as difficult as many subjects and provides light relief in class and very little homework (mostly just composing). I'd recommend it really - as long as it's not combined with hundreds of true 'soft' options.

As to the argument that it looks too middle class, unless you are proposing to not mention their musical achievements at all on their personal statement that will come across anyway. The comment that it doesn't add much given they already have grade whatever is more valid, and one that ds considered, but he did it because he wanted to & because he enjoyed it and so it was the right choice for him.

I'm afraid I can't answer as to whether it might count against them, but I can assure you that GCSE is no picnic and is in fact bloody, bloody hard and very technical!

It's not airy fairy subject but may still be perceived as such by the powers that be.

My daughter wants to do music and art at GCSE as well as 7 others. I'm not sure if this provides enough academic subjects - would art and music be considered dumbing down? If anyone can help I'd be grateful.

Music is never a soft option, it requires intellectual activity, memory and skill. it certainly not light weight when compared with options such as media studies.

We're going through this with DS at the moment. But I figure if all his other subjects are academic, it won't make much odds if there's a lighter-weight one in there too. Although, as someone said, if they're doing graded instruments anyway, then it might be better to plump for something else. There are a lot of boys doing dance at his school at the moment. A number of "cool" boys lead the (strong) department, so it's become high profile recently. So, dance or music?

I don't think it's a soft option, I did it 8 years ago.

At the time you had to be actively taking lessons in an instrument, then you had to make two compositions for at least two instruments, a listening exam, a written exam and a practical exam on your instrument of choice

I did gcse music 18 years ago and tbh for me it was a soft option. I didn't have to put in much work during the lessons (I did do some composition work at home as it wS easier to work then).

I remember another girl also did History and Appreciation of music which involved indepth study of various pieces of music and in retrspect I wish I'd done that as well.

I had a rounded set of gcses including two languages, two sciences, two englishes, maths, RE and history so felt music fitted in well.

No music isn't a soft option. My nephew has just got a place on the creative music rech degree course at Huddersfield university. There are only 10 places. He meeded music, Maths and a science for that.

Firstly, it isn't a soft option. Secondly, it is not necessary for all GCSEs that you take to be "hard" - but if you are academic and do say eight "hard" GCSEs you can do a couple of "soft" ones as well and no university will look down on you if eight of your GCSEs are Maths, English, Science, Humanities, MFL (hopefully).
Same goes for Art.