GCE Music (2016)
The CCEA GCE Music specification allows students to create and perform music which expresses their own interests and style.
This specification is available at two levels: AS and A2. Students can take the AS units plus the A2 units for a full GCE A level qualification. They can also choose to take the AS course as a stand-alone qualification.
In the AS units, they study music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods right through to popular musicals and sacred vocal styles. Students who continue to A2 will get to explore, in greater depth, the orchestral music of the twentieth century alongside secular and sacred vocal music spanning over 400 years.
The specification has three units at AS and three units at A2:
- Unit AS/A2 1: Performing
- Unit AS/A2 2: Composing
- Unit AS/A2 3: Responding to Music.
The AS units make up 40% of the full A level, and the A2 units make up 60%.
Current Specification
Skills developed through our GCE Music
This specification builds on learning from Key Stage 4 and gives students opportunities to continue to develop the Cross-Curricular Skills and the Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities.
Students complete a solo performance and an accompanying viva voce. They develop skills in singing and/or playing an instrument of their own choice, and their ability to discuss their rationale, contextual information, technical challenges and stylistic conventions.
When composing, students develop their ability to create, organise and develop musical ideas, use harmony effectively, use instrumental and textural resource effectively, make use of music technology, and analyse and reflect on their work.
For more information on this specification contact:
Popular Learning Resources
Progression Frameworks
Teachers! Explore interactive resources showing how the curriculum and CCEA qualifications connect and reward learning from ages 3-19
Treoir Ghasta ar an Churaclam do Thuismitheoirí
Cur síos ar a mbeadh súil leis agus do pháiste ag tosú ar an bhunscoil agus/nó ar an iar-bhunscoil.
Replacement certificates
Lost your CCEA exam certificates? Information and help with replacement certificates, certified statement of results and/or updating your details.
Parents' Guides to the Northern Ireland Curriculum
Primary and post-primary guides to what and how children learn, how to support what they’re doing at school and where to find out more
Work with us
There are currently no positions related to this qualification with CCEA. To see all available positions with CCEA visit our jobs section.