Music
Introduction
Leaving Certificate Music is a two-year course of study founded on the principles of listening, composing and performing. Although this subject is open to all students, Music at Junior Certificate level or a high standard of instrumental performance are recommended. Students will acquire knowledge of music theory and composition, and will also study set works ranging from Bach to Queen. Irish music, music technology and a large amount of class-based performance also feature on this course. Students must undertake a performance exam as part of their assessment in which they present a varied performance programme.
Assessment
Composing Paper - 25%
Listening Paper – 25%
Performance Examination – 25% This is held in the two weeks prior to or after the Easter Break
Higher Elective – extension of any of the above activities for further study to account for 25%
5th Year
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Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
| Performing |
- Class singing in parts
- Performance workshop with own instruments
- Rhythm work.
- Sight clapping
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3-part class singing; performance workshop with own instruments; Rhythm work; ensemble work.
Preparation for summer exam. Sight clapping.
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Summer practical exam (25%)-solo or group performance. Sight clapping.
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| Listening |
- Aural Skills exercises: Identification of musical features & glossaries of musical features.
- Cadences: Recognition of cadences (perfect, plagal & imperfect)
- Form: Unitary, Binary & Ternary form.
- Dictation (treble & bass-using Tonic Solfa & Notation), of set work themes, melodic & rhythmic.
- Set Work 1: “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. Analysis to include: Historical and stylistic context of 1st set work; general listening exercises; melodic dictation of set work themes; texture; recording techniques etc.
- Score-reading & Instruments of the Orchestra, using Set Work 2:
- “Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture” by Tchaikovsky.
- Irish Music: Collectors, Instruments, Dances & Structure. Listening exercises & essays.
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- Aural Skills exercises: Identification of musical features & glossaries of musical features.
- Dictation: of set work themes. General melodic & rhythmic.
- Cadences, Recognition of cadences (perfect, plagal, imperfect & interrupted)
- Chord progressions-approach chords.
- Form: Sonata form.
- Set Work 2: “Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture” by Tchaikovsky.
- Analysis to include: Historical and stylistic context of set work; general listening exercises; melodic dictation of set work themes; texture.
- Irish music: Songs & Regional Styles Sean Nos. Fusions-Composers.
- Dictation: of set work themes, general melodic & rhythmic.
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- Set Work 1: Revise using exam type questions.
- Set Work 2: Complete and do exam type questions.
- Irish Music: Complete fusions. Revise exam type essay & listening questions.
- Dictation: of set work themes, melodic & rhythmic
- Aural Skills exercises: Identification of musical features & glossaries of musical features
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| Composing |
- General theory: notation- lines & spaces, rhythm values, ledger lines, technical names of scale;
- Harmony: Major key signatures, Major & Minor Key relationships, major & minor intervals, triads in all major keys. Written cadences (perfect & plagal): Treble & Bass notes
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Melody writing (up to 8/12 bars)
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Harmony: Cadences of all types
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Full OL paper cadence & backing chord questions: including cadences, approach chords & use of dominant 7th
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- Melody Writing – modulation to related keys -12 bar melodies
- Harmony: Full OL paper cadence and backing chord questions Revision; exam type questions
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6th Year
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Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
| Performing |
- Music Technology: begin Sibelius programme
- Preparation for mock practical exam (25% or 50%), class singing.
- Sight clapping
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- Music Technology.
- Preparation for mock practical exam: half of full programme Preparation for state practical exam – ensemble and solo work (March/April), aural tests/sight clapping
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| Listening |
- Aural Skills exercises: Identification of musical features & glossaries of musical features. General listening vocabulary
- Form: Sonata Form
- Dictation (treble & bass-using Tonic Solfa & Notation), of set work themes, melodic & rhythmic. Exam style excerpts.
- Set Work 3: Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz “March to the Scaffold”. Analysis to include: Historical and stylistic context of 3rd set work; general listening exercises; melodic dictation of set work themes; texture; recording techniques etc.
- Irish Music: Soloists, Groups from 1960s, Sean O’Riada etc. (revising Fusion) Preservation of Irish music. Irish Music Exam questions
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- Set Work 3: Finish Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz “March to the Scaffold”.
- Set work 4: "Seachanges” by Raymond Deane.
Analysis to include: Historical and stylistic context of 4th set work; general listening exercises; melodic dictation of set work themes; texture; recording techniques etc. (after mock exams)
- Irish music: Developments in 20th century Irish Music, Revival of Irish Music. Revision of all Irish music for exam paper questions.
- Dictation – melodic & rhythmic
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- Finish Set Work 4 – "Seachanges” by Raymond Deane.
- Revision of all set works & Irish Music in exam papers.
- Revise Q6 – general Aural Skills question.
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| Composing |
- Harmony exercises (Backing chord question 5). Revise material from Form 5.
- First inversion chords; V7 & inversions, minor keys, second inversions
- Writing bass lines, use of passing notes, chord exercises,
- Major melody writing with upbeats & compound time (16 bars) –also using Music Technology
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- Harmony: Minor harmony exercises. Minor Key signatures, melodic minor scale.
- Melody: Minor 16 bar melodies
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- Revision and exam papers questions
- Major & Minor questions. Q1 & Q5.
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Useful Links
https://www.curriculumonline.ie/Senior-cycle/Senior-Cycle-Subjects/Music/
WESLEY COLLEGE DUBLIN
