GCSE Music question - required level for performance?

[circular]

Getting mixed info.

School say grade 3 to 4 standard is sufficient.

Music school (teacher is also an examiner) say Grade 3 standard OK for C Grade, for A/A* grade 5 at least.

DD in a quandry as wants to get as near full marks as she can as performance is her strongest. Due to logistics, school want her to do the ensemble work on an instrument which she is a lower standard on.

Exam board ED-EXCEL, and performances will be completed in 2012/2013.

Backtogood - At DD's school, form the current yr10's onwards thye DO have to read music. This is for EDEXCEL GCSE which may be the only board that are currently insisting.

Those that couldn't were told they would either have to learn or do the BTEC Performing Arts instead.

This seems to have given the most difficulty to the percussion players and singers. It has resulted in a GCSE group half the size as last year.

My daughter is in year 11 and is studying Music GCSE. From what I've seen I would say not being able to read music would make it a lot harder. You can compose using a computer programme such as Sibelius, but there is a lot of theory work involved. There is a Music Tech BTEC that you can do without having to read music or play an instrument. There is also A level Music and A level Music Tech. From what I recall from recent 6th form information, they require Music GCSE for A level Music but not for Music Tech.

Thanks Fozzie - she doesn't really want to take it (she's one of those pupils I think all the subject teachers are hoping she'll come onto their course).... the PE teacher is practically begging her ...... certainly doesn't take after her Aunty .......

I was just amazed at the idea you might be able to get a GCSE in music without actually being able to read music. I knew MN would know

What is often forgotten is that musicians need to be able to perform pieces of any level of difficulty. Just because you've got a Diploma doesn't mean you won't have to play Three Blind Mice in C major. It's the performing well that matters.

Just a quick update in this.

I spoke to the examining board. Very helpful, explained that it was within the rules that a student should not be disadvantaged in ensemble playing by the ability of others. Althought that sounded more like not putting an A* player pupil in with a group of D grade players. Not really the case here, all of her GCSE group have B grade targets. (Don't get me started on that).

They were quite surprised that a teacher from the school would not be willing to travel to the Music School to asesss her.

They also said if the Music School have been an exam centre for thier board before, it should be possible to have DD's performance assessed there by special arrangement.

However, DD has since said that

1. she doesn't want to be the 'awkward' one
2. it will be put too much pressure on her fellow ensembe members at the music school as they are mostly younger (there are some seriously gifted yr7 and 8's there).
3. her previous teacher on her chosen instrument (who she has lessons on another instrument with) would be more than happy to perform with her.