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The KS4 Curriculum
At KS4 students are able to choose from two music qualifications. The choice is OCR music GCSE and BTEC Music Practice.
OCR GCSE music is 60% coursework involving x2 performances (one solo and one ensemble) and x2 compositions (one free choice composition and one related to topics studied in class). The 40% listening exam allows students to engage with a wide range of music topics including Rhythms of the World, Film music, The Concerto through time and Popular Song.
In the BTEC Music Practice course, students learn about the various music products, develop valuable skills and techniques in music creation, performance and production, and explore potential careers in the industry. The BTEC Music Practice course is continually assessed throughout the two years of the course and students can choose to either specialise in performance or composition in their final project, but will explore both pathways through creating a portfolio of short performances and compositions in varying chosen styles. As part of the course, students will conduct a musical and professional skills development project to set goals and reflect on their progress as a composer, performer, professional in the music industry. They will also create a commercial project as a performer, composer or producer which will showcase the skills they have developed throughout the course.