Music IGCSE – Cambridge International Examinations (CIE 0410)
IGCSE music is about creating and listening to music. It covers performing, composing and listening to a wide variety of musical styles including popular music, world music and classical music. You will also learn how to use music technology. 

You will have many opportunities to enjoy making music.  The IGCSE course encourages you to perform music of your own choice in any style, as a soloist and as a member in a group e.g. in a band, in a duet, or a small ensemble. To take this course, you must be able to sing and/or play a musical instrument.  There is no requirement to play more than one instrument, and there is no requirement to have completed private music or theory examinations.  It is helpful if you know how to read traditional western music notation but if you can’t or you are not fluent then this skill will be developed during the course.

You will learn how:
  • to improve your performing skills
  • music is constructed from initial ideas through to the finished product
  • to analyse music in a variety of styles and discover the social and historical context in which music has been composed 
  • to develop your ability to be creative, be original and develop your confidence when working with others

What do I need to know, or be able to do, before taking this course?
You have already gained many of the basic skills needed for this course in your music lessons over the last three years at West Island School. If you are new to the school, your previous musical experience should be enough or if you have been learning an instrument privately this should be sufficient.  In your previous studies you may have created music by improvising and or composing music on your own or in small groups. 

Learning to compose and notate your compositions is developed in the IGCSE course. You are required to compose two pieces of music of your own choice. For example, this could be a popular song and a dance piece of music, a classical piece or a piece of world music. There is a wide choice, and it can be tailored to your own musical interests and strengths.  

You should like listening to music.  In the course, you will listen to a wide variety of musical styles and genres, and you will learn how to analyse and identify what you hear.  You will study music from the western classical tradition, as well as popular and world music styles.

Is this the course for me?
Yes, it is if you enjoy:
  • Performing music
  • Composing music
  •  Learning an instrument or singing
  • Improvising and making music with others
  •  Learning about all types of music, including classical, popular, jazz and world music

How will I be assessed?
​Performing- 30%
You will need to play one solo piece and one ensemble (group) piece.  
Composing- 30%
You will need to create two compositions in any style you choose.
Listening & Appraising- 40%
You will sit a 75 minute written paper with questions on the prescribed set work and music since 1650. Questions such as these are asked:
  • Name the instrument playing the solo?
  • Give two musical reasons why this is an example of Baroque music?
  • ‘What is the name of the composition device heard in the melody?
Post 16 Pathways
​IGCSE music is good preparation for further musical study. You may wish to take an IGCSE in music because you like playing or singing music, or maybe it will form the basis of future study at a higher level. Alternatively, you may wish to develop a career where it is useful to have had experience of music or where you will need to use some of the skills developed during the course. These might include careers in the music industry, publishing, media entertainment and teaching or any job, which involves communication and expressive skills.
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For Further Information:  Please see Ms Leigh Dalgarno, Head of Creative Arts & Performance