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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

GCSE options - is music a soft option?

59 replies

mysteryfairy · 22/01/2010 17:31

I have two DSs in yrs 9 and 8 at different schools and both have to make their GCSE options this term.

Both currently have grade five practical on their main instruments (and will be doing grade six in the summer term), a number of other instruments that they play, are in various bands, orchestras etc and have passed their grade five theory.

They both want to do science ALevels. I have been positively encouraging them to take music GCSE (which they do both want to do), believing it will be fun, build on skills they have already worked hard to acquire and perhaps differentiate them from other scientists a bit.

I've just read comments on the oxbridge options thread suggesting that music is or is perceived as a soft option. In addition my dad has commented (jokingly) that maybe they shouldn't do it as to reach the required performance standard might be taken as evidence of a privileged background and count against them with uni applications.

So sorry for posting this as a separate thread from the oxbridge one but I'd really like to know if taking music might count against them?

OP posts:

nickelbabe · 27/01/2010 17:10

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.

coldtits · 27/01/2010 17:12

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.

coldtits · 27/01/2010 17:16

Saying all that I bloody loved it and got a B

seeker · 27/01/2010 20:46

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.

wolfbrother · 27/01/2010 21:23

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.

coldtits · 27/01/2010 21:47

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

Katymac · 27/01/2010 21:54

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

Flightattendant · 28/01/2010 09:23

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.

CoffeeCrazedMama · 28/01/2010 11:01

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 · 28/01/2010 12:51

Yes - specialist music school!

I was wrong - they weren't told not to do music GCSE if they were Grade 5 - they were told that if they were going to carry on doing Grades after 5 and weren't intending to do music A level they should do another GCSE rather than use up an option on music.

"That's NOT what I said - you NEVER listen to a WORD I say, mother"! to quote.

Flightattendant · 28/01/2010 13:25

Lol

It's not still Miss BP is it? I think she retired ages ago but somehow cannot imagine the music block without her!! She must have found it hard to relinquish that position.

flowerybeanbag · 28/01/2010 16:01

Have you seen this thread OP? Some more useful comments. I did find it easy I have to say, but it meant it was a useful break from more academic subjects. There was also no way I would have got a decent grade in any of the other arty options we had to select from!

OxfordMum4503 · 23/02/2010 21:40

GCSE's are merely a ticket to A Levels. You still have the option to change your options before choosing a career. Don't get worried about GCSE's - Pick things that are fun and that you are good at, as well as challenge you. Do not pick options that you think will look 'good'. As an Oxford undergraduate I really do not think you should be worrying about Oxbridge applications while your kids are still in year 8/9 - Everything will have been shaken up by then.

Interfering could upset your child - Let them do what they enjoy! as they won't study something they do not like...

frakkinaround · 23/02/2010 21:43

Nope, it won't. I got into Cambridge with my music GCSE and was in a similar situation to your DSs re performance level on main instrument and participations. I ended up not going there and reading music somewhere else actually!

However I do second what OxfordMum said - let them do what they enjoy.

senua · 23/02/2010 22:20

Going back to the original posting: I think that showing the ability to work in music ensembles (orchestra or group-work in GCSE etc) is a good idea. It demonstrates that they are a teamworker, a skill which many scientific jobs require.

doodledrawers · 24/02/2010 07:54

There's also the issue that choosing music at GCSE gives them the option of continuing with it at A-level or beyond - as it's something they both enjoy, they may change their minds about the pure science thing. There are also lots of linkages between maths / science and music - one of my friend from school went on to do a joint honours degree in physics and music, which sounded fascinating!

circular · 24/02/2010 07:54

My DD in YR8 will be wanting to do music along with 3 sciences at GCSE when she gets to choose next year. She also wants to do music A level along with 3 ( or 2 & maths) sciences. As she plays 4 instruments she studies music theory outside of school as will need to get to grade 5 (gcse level?) in order to do grade 6 on instrumentt
So GCSE music should be easy for her, and we would rather see a good grade there than opt for an arty or tech subject that she is not so good at, or a further academic subject she does not want to do.
I really cannot see music being classed as a soft option - it is not unusual to be good at music and maths, especially the more creative side of maths.

In our case DD is torn between a scientific or musical career choice so wants to keep her options open
as long as possible

frakkinaround · 24/02/2010 08:34

As a word of caution there is a lot more to music GCSE than theory and performance so it won't necessarily be easy for an exceptional performer. Skills such as composition may not come as naturally and the analysis side is almost totally unrelated to performance. In fact the most exceptional performer in our GCSE music class got a B because all she just knew her instrument and any music associated with that. She also wouldn't listen to the teacher who told her that unless she started listening to some more music she'd completely cack up the listening test...

Just to further muddy the waters it's also possible to succeed in music GCSE without being able to read music at all. I think as long as you answer every other question correctly in the exam, learn your performance by ear and use diagrammatic/'innovative' notation for your composition you can get an A.

I managed to get through my music degree without ever having my instrumental performance assessed. Takes all sorts!

My point is that music is not a soft option, you won't necessarily be seen as taking the easy way out if you already play an instrument to a high standard and you shouldn't exclude it if you don't. There really is something for everyone.

GhoulsAreLoud · 24/02/2010 08:44

Ooh, I remember doing music GCSE and it was bloody hard.

Parts of it are very technical indeed. It was the only subject I struggled to pass at GCSE (just managed a C).

I am not a natural scientist or mathematician but found those far easier and did better in them than in music.

helper123 · 18/05/2010 23:05

I have just completed my gcse music exam and I found it quite difficult. I am grade 6 in Flute and felt playing did not benefit me. It is mainly based on composition, you must submit two compositions, performance solos and ensembles and also complete a listening and appraising exam. I felt it was definatly not a soft option and I am currently looking to do higher education and have enquired into lots of universitys who all mention having a music gcse shows diversity and creativity which people look for seeings as lots of people are getting excellent exam results. Hope this helped.

helper123 · 18/05/2010 23:06

sharbie · 18/05/2010 23:17

My DS has just completed this and it was very tough.He can play instruments but hasn't been learning recently or moving up the grades.
Composition is very difficult and the technical side of it is quite mind boggling at times.He has lots of fun and DD is keen to follow him in this option.
I wouldn't say this is an easy/soft subject at all and I'm not sure if being a certain grade is that much of a help in some aspects.
Some of the composition etc can be done on computers so knowledge of those systems may be useful.

sandripples · 19/05/2010 09:08

My DD did Music GCSE and it was considered one of the harder subjects. She is now at Cambridge - not doing music but it enhances her life!.

Builde · 20/05/2010 19:56

I found my music GCSE the hardest and most onerous I did. (I ended up at Cambridge!)

Universities don't care that much about GCSEs (although they like high grades) because they are aware that some schools offer their pupils 9 GSCEs and others 12 GCSEs.

Everyone will have to do maths, english, science, a modern language and after that the choice of GCSEs is a bit irrelevant.

A-level choices are more important, but even that is a bit flexible. Check the Universities admissions criteria for what A-levels are needed for certain subjects. For example, you would be expected to have at least 1 maths A-level to read maths at Cambridge. However, you might be allowed to read History without a history a-level.

pointydog · 20/05/2010 20:05

Music links in to so many extra-curricular activities that can look impressive on application forms

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