Music

• October 2019 subject update (189 KB)
• October 2018 subject update (280 KB)

Assessment of National 4 Added Value Units (March 2021)

Candidates will not be required to complete National 4 added value units in session 2020-21. This decision is supported by the National Qualifications 2021 Group. Removing the mandatory requirement to complete the added value unit will help to free up more time for learning and teaching and for assessing other units in National 4 courses, where this is needed.

To achieve the overall course award for National 4 this session, candidates must pass all contributing units in the National 4 course. Teachers and lecturers will still need to submit a 'pass' result for the added value unit to ensure candidates are certificated for the course award, however this does not need to be evidence-based.

While there is no requirement to gather evidence for the added value unit this session, it is still important that candidates have opportunities to develop and demonstrate the required skills, knowledge and understanding from across the course that are outlined in the National 4 added value unit specification, where possible. This will support candidates as they progress to further learning and assessment at SCQF level 5.

Please note that the modifications detailed in the following 'Arrangements for National 3 and National 4' document still apply for session 2020-21.

Arrangements for National 3 and National 4 (February 2021)

• Arrangements for National 3 and National 4: Music (109 KB)

Information on National Course changes for session 2020/21

The following modification decisions are valid regardless of the agreed approach to assessment in session 2021-22.

National 3

Composing Skills unit: assessment standard 1.1 will not need to be assessed.

Performing Skills unit: we will reinstate the requirement to perform on two instruments, or one instrument and voice.

Understanding Music unit: there will be no modifications for this unit.

National 4

Composing Skills unit: assessment standards 1.1 and 1.2 will not need to be assessed.

Performing Skills unit: we will reinstate the requirement to perform on two instruments, or one instrument and voice.

Understanding Music unit: there will be no modifications for this unit.

There will be no requirement to complete the added value unit assessment.

National 5

Assignment: we will remove the composing part from the course assessment. However, centres should continue teaching composing skills to help candidates with progression to Higher Music in session 2022-23.

Performance: we will reinstate the requirement to perform on two instruments or one instrument and voice. The minimum programme duration will be 6 minutes, but must not exceed 6 minutes and 30 seconds.

Candidates will be required to perform all of their pieces in succession for each instrument or voice. Accompaniment will be mandatory, where stylistically appropriate. Drum kit players must perform three styles, rather than four.

Modified course structure:

Question paper: 40 marks (40%)

Performance - instrument 1: 30 marks (30%)

Performance - instrument 2: 30 marks (30%)

Higher

Assignment: we will remove the composing part from the course assessment. However, centres should continue teaching composing skills to help candidates with progression to Advanced Higher Music in session 2022-23.

Performance: we will reinstate the requirement to perform on two instruments or one instrument and voice. The minimum programme duration will be 10 minutes, but must not exceed 11 minutes.

Candidates will be required to perform all of their pieces in succession for each instrument or voice. Accompaniment will be mandatory, where stylistically appropriate. Drum kit players must perform four styles, rather than five.

Modified course structure:

Question paper: 40 marks (40%)

Performance - instrument 1: 30 marks (30%)

Performance - instrument 2: 30 marks (30%)

Advanced Higher

Assignment: we will remove the composing and analysis parts from course assessment. However, centres should continue teaching composing skills to support candidates' listening and to help with progression to further or higher education.

Performance: we will reinstate the requirement to perform on two instruments or one instrument and voice. The minimum programme duration will be 15 minutes, but must not exceed 17 minutes.

Candidates will be required to perform all of their pieces in succession for each instrument or voice. Accompaniment will be mandatory, where stylistically appropriate. Drum kit players must perform five styles, rather than six.

Modified course structure:

Question paper: 40 marks (40%)

Performance - instrument 1: 30 marks (30%)

Performance - instrument 2: 30 marks (30%)

Advanced Higher Music: Portfolio

Assignment: we will remove the composing and analysis parts from course assessment.

Performance: we will reduce the volume of assessment - candidates will be required to perform for a minimum duration of 5 minutes, but must not exceed 7 minutes.

Candidates will be required to perform all of their pieces in succession for their instrument or voice. Accompaniment will be mandatory, where stylistically appropriate. Drum kit players must perform five styles, rather than six.

Portfolio: we will reduce the volume of assessment - candidates will be required to create a portfolio of a minimum duration of 5 minutes, but must not exceed 7 minutes.

Modified course structure:

Question paper: 40 marks (40%)

Performance: 30 marks (25%)

Portfolio: 30 marks (35%)