GCSE in Music - workload

[Passerillage]

DD is going into Year 10 and changing school and they want her to pick a 10th GCSE.

She is doing grade 6 both in LAMDA and also in a musical instrument which means with the ABRSM she has to do grade 5 in Music Theory as well, so she has a pretty full extracurricular workload, and she will be (enthusiastically) joining the school orchestra.

If they push for this 10th subject, would I be right in thinking that a music GCSE would be easier for her in terms of workload than, say, computing or geography? As she is doing so much music/theory already? My understanding is that grade 5 Music Theory is "worth" a GCSE anyway.

This is my feeling and what I have suggested, but I don't want to press the point if I am massively wrong and making her life harder.

(I thought I posted about this yesterday but don't see it in my "threads I started".)

I think she'll find GCSE music relatively easy. The theory she will need is not as difficult as ABRSM grade 5 theory, but there will also be some material she needs to cover that isn't on the G5 syllabus (because it isn't relevant to classical music).

The performing side will be fine as she is already playing at a higher level than is necessary for the GCSE.

There is also the composing element of course, which is likely to be new to her. But if she has a decent grounding in theory, she should be fine.

Good luck!

I’d agree it’s likely to be quite easy for her and might be a nice way of her getting to know some of the other musical students at the school a bit better.
10 GCSEs is plenty but it’s not an unusual amount I don’t think, so if she really wants to do one of the others I wouldn’t see why not.

It'll definitely be the easiest option for her. She's at the mercy of her class when it comes to performance as some of it is group. Some schools allow anyone to pick music, others are strict in grade requirements so really depends. The composing she will either find easy or struggle with. My DD is in Y10 and is doing music. Hopeless at her instrument and theory, but amazing at the composing part. Everyone else in her class is struggling with that. There is only 8 of them but still.

A million years ago, I did GCSE music with a similar profile. They let me just use my grade 6 pieces for the performance, I attended no lessons whatsoever, did a couple of practice listening exams and got an A. There seem to be some slight differences now (we didn't have to do group performances, but that might depend on the school) but otherwise the syllabus looks pretty similar.

It would probably be fine - some kids we know who are very good at practical (as in Grade 8 etc) have found the listening paper does take some work to get 7-9. The answers need quite specific vocabulary at times and it’s different to Abrsm theory (though that is helpful for the composition).

Covid affected the ensemble pieces but before that the school had said they could do a duet with their music teacher to tick that box rather than with other students.

It depends on the exam board as to the specifics of the GCSE in Music but grade 5 theory is not an "equivalent" to a GCSE; they are different qualifications albeit with some overlap.

Anyone performing at grade 5 or 6 standard would have no difficulty accessing the highest mark bands at GCSE. However, it is not a given that they would get full marks. As an example this year I had a g8 distinction brass player who only scored 30/36 for his solo. He didn't read the mark scheme (provided to him back in September) and thought he could wing his way through something. Performing and composing are each only 30% of the marks. The different boards cover very different styles in the listening paper which is the remaining 40%. I teach the Eduqas spec and am always happy to answer questions about the content.

That's all very helpful - thank you! I really appreciate it.

I will talk it over with her. She is fairly neutral, and interestedin in doing computing, but I am anxious about the workload as she is moving from a very easy-going school to a much more academic one. She's well able for it, but there will be a bit of a shift for her as she gets used to the higher expectations, and I don't want to overwhelm her. I thought the 9 GCSE's would be ample, but apparently not.

The thing I like about GCSE music is that it covers a wide range of genres. It's quite useful for giving a broad view, even to an already very capable young musician.

You also get to compose, become familiar with music tech software etc. which is fun and can be useful.

It's definitely not the case that someone who's a high grade in a musical instrument will be completely bored in GCSE music or find it a total walk in the park because the GCSE covers stuff that performing/learning an instrument don't but the musical ability they go in with will obviously mean that it should be easy to get an A* in the solo performance element.

I would push back on the 10 GCSEs if you can to be honest. It's not necessary. The amount of exams she will have is insane.

If you're coming from the perspective of making her life easier, then I think music gcse sounds like a good option. However, I wouldn't rule out computing if it's something she's interested in and good at, as I think computing might help to expand her career options down the line.

Last summer just over 50% of 16 year olds sitting GCSEs were entered for 8 or 9 subjects. Fewer than 15% were entered for 10 or more.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infographic-gcse-results-2022/infographics-for-gcse-results-2022-accessible

I agree with PPs that music should be a “light”option for her. She’ll know in advance of the exams what marks she has for for performance and composition too.

Although there is definitely a cross-over between music and computer science; if she is already good at music theory is she also a competent coder etc? They do often go hand in hand

I agree but the only problem is computing GCSE is so so dull and not reflective of actual computing or coding jobs in the slightest.

I think music sounds like a good 10th option. My school does 10 GCSEs so this is how the timetable works. I think you’ll be unlikely to get it reduced because she’s have free time on her timetable with nothing to do, nowhere to go and no one to look after her. I’m also a head of Geography. Geography is a lot of work - it’s hard, there’s loads of content to cover and there’s tons of revision because it’s 100% exam based. It’ll definitely add massively to her workload so I wouldn’t go for that unless she’s particularly interested in it.

My DS is in year 10 and enjoying Music GCSE. He recently passed grade 6 in his instrument and managed to get 8 in his GCSE mock around the same time without it taking up too much time. There is some overlap but some differences. E.g he's found the performance and theory is easy, but the listening not so much. He does like the fact that he can enjoy relaxing a bit, composing and playing piano while his friends are working hard in Geography.

Hi my daughter is in Year 11 and just completed her GCSE music exam, she has also done Grade 6 LAMDA - acting and grade 5 singing.
She has loved the course, best thing she’d done and has an 8 in the practical element already, however she’s found the theory hard so if your daughter is already very strong at theory, she’ll love it. My daughter did 10 too and we chose drama and music as two separate GCSE’s to give her some balance and enjoyment in the school day. Definately the best decision as she’s hopefully done really well! What would her instrument/ vocal be?

She’s also done geography as well and it’s not been too bad, but there’s 3 exams compared to 1 in music.