Advanced Higher Music

Why Music?

The course provides you with the opportunity to develop musical versatility and particular areas of interest. You can gain understanding of music as a powerful medium of communication with a strong influence throughout the modern world. Flexibility within the overall structure allows you to select a stimulating course, well matched to your individual interests and needs.

Emphasis is placed on the study of music through practical activities which will expose you to a variety of cultures.

Entry to the Course

This is at the discretion of the school/college but you would normally be expected to have attained:

·         Higher Music

·         or equivalent

Course Outline

The course consists of one compulsory 80 hour unit and one optional 40 hour unit, plus 40 hours of flexible time.

Compulsory Unit

Performing, Inventing and Listening (80 hours)
This unit will offer opportunities to:

·         perform music from a wide range of styles in a solo and/or group situation on one instrument

·         invent original music with evidence of originality, creativity, planning and good use of compositional techniques such as the deployment of selected concepts; arranging and improvising may be included where appropriate

·         listen to music which is relevant, related to practical experiences and based on a conceptual approach; to demonstrate enhanced ability to relate sound to printed music and to select two or more works for study in greater depth.

Emphasis on practical musical activity across the three elements will allow for the development of aural perception, musical imagination, sensitivity and discrimination.

Optional Units: One from the following eight options:

Accompanying (40 hours)
This unit will allow you to extend performing and musicianship skills on an instrument chosen from a prescribed list. Content will take account of the necessity to cater for development of the musician and will ensure progression of skills in the areas of accompanying, sight-reading, transposition, score reading and harmonisation.

Inventing - Extension (40 hours)
This unit will allow you to extend their creative skills through a more in-depth approach and to build upon work experienced in the 80 hour unit in order to attain at a higher level. You will compile an audio folio of composition(s) throughout the course.

Listening - Extension (40 hours)
This unit will require students to extend their listening skills through a more in-depth approach, building upon the work experienced in the 80 hour. As part of their research, candidates will identify appropriate musical concepts and comment on their development with perception. These reports may provide the context and focus for a dissertation on a musical topic of their own choice. A course log will play a significant part in the initial preparation of reports and dissertation.

MIDI-Sequencing (40 hours)
This unit will allow you to develop skills in the use of a MIDI and digital audio sequencer and

synthesiser(s) in order to invent, record, edit and mix music.. Emphasis is on the creative application of technical skills to inventing.You will be required to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge and skills to resolve problems creatively in a practical test.

Performing - Extension 1 (40 hours)
Performing - Extension 2 (40 hours)
As part of the course award you will take this unit on an instrument or voice from a different category from that professed in the compulsory unit. You will pursue the aims and content of performing in greater breadth and depth than in the 80-hour mandatory unit. If your skills in performing have developed beyond that required for Performing Extension 1 you may opt for Performing Extension 2. In such cases, your course awards at Advanced Higher will reflect the added value of having attained a pass at the higher level.

Sound Engineering and Production (40 hours)
In this unit you will have opportunities to set up and use eitherstereo recording techniques or multi-track equipment with production skills and digital editing techniques to produce high quality stereo master recordings. The unit provides a good context for the deployment of musical judgement and discrimination when editing and mixing these to a high standard. For external assessment there will also be a listening test of aural discrimination and conceptual awareness.

Training and Directing (40 hours)
This unit will offer you the opportunity to apply skills acquired through earlier experiences in Performing, Listening and Inventing, and to develop skills of a different order by taking responsibility for the training and directing of a music group of your choice. Groups might include: a string group/orchestra; a wind group/band; a brass group/band; a jazz group; a rock band; a folk group/Scottish dance band. You will compile a video tape illustrating the development which has taken place throughout the course. A rehearsal log containing planning and evaluative information will also be required. This will form the basis of a viva voce for external assessment. You will also be required to demonstrate evidence of aural perception in a listening test.

Core Skills

·         H Problem Solving ( Int 2 Critical Thinking, H Planning and Organising)

·         H IT (Using Information Technology*)

*Contained only in an optional unit

Assessment

Units are assessed internally by your teacher/lecturer in accordance with SQA guidelines.

The course is assessed by an external SQA examiner and by a variety of additional methods depending on the optional unit selected.

Progression

Successful completion of this course may lead to:

SGA at Higher in

·         Performing Arts

·         Performing Arts: Music

Education (e.g. HNC/HND/Degree); Employment in

·         Performing Arts

Further advice and information on these options is available from your subject teacher, Princpal teacher/adviser and careers adviser.