GCSE (9-1) Music NEA guidance for Summer 2021 - (Updated March 2021) - Pearson qualifications

GCSE (9-1)
Music
NEA guidance for Summer 2021
(Updated March 2021)

                       © artwork: Mark Bolitho | Origami photography Pearson Education Ltd/Justin Hoffman

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in a loss of education during the spring
and summer terms of the academic year 2019-2020. Ofqual, therefore, consulted widely
during the summer to seek views on changing assessments in summer 2019, in order to
free up teaching time and to acknowledge that further public health restrictions might be
put in place during the academic year 2020-21. Ofqual published decisions based on this
consultation on 3rd August 2020 and consequently some changes have been made to the
assessment of GCSE Music for summer 2021.

This document is intended to fully explain these changes and to assist teachers in
preparing learners for the forthcoming assessments. It will cover changes to each of the
three components. Whilst the examinations for 2021 have been cancelled, it is
encouraged that NEA, where possible, is used to provide the evidence required for
Teacher Assessed Grades.

Component 1: Performing
With regards to Performance Assessment, the Ofqual modifications for 2021 are to require
students to perform one or more pieces of music with a combined minimum duration of at
least 1.5 minutes (if all solo performance) or 2 minutes (if including performance as part of
an ensemble). There is no requirement to perform as part of an ensemble. Candidates
should, if able complete an unedited recording of the live performance and, where
available, provide the score or lead sheet for that performance. Ofqual have allowed
awarding organisations to have this component marked by the teacher and sampled, if
required by the awarding organisation.

These changes acknowledge the fact that there has been, and often remains,
considerable disruption to learners’ instrumental/vocal tuition. Additionally, their
opportunity to perform, as individuals or in ensembles, has been curtailed and is currently
only permissible under strict guidelines. The reduction in performance length means that
learners have less music to prepare and also that they will not require as much stamina to
sustain the length of performance.

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Changes to Pearson Edexcel GSCE Music Component 1 for 2021:
In response to Ofqual’s decision the required minimum performance length will reduce
from 4 minutes to 1.5 minutes (if all solo performance) or 2 minutes (if including
performance as part of an ensemble). This change is for summer 2021 only. Teachers’
should accept video evidence. The performance can be either a video recording made in
the centre or a recording from a video conferencing platform between candidate and the
Teacher Assessor. The Teacher Assessor must arrange the call and make an unedited
recording of the candidate performing live. The candidate and their instrument must
always be in view. If a candidate’s recording is available but without an accompaniment, it
could still be used as evidence.

If a video performance is being used as evidence, it is the centre’s responsibility to ensure
that the audio quality is sufficient to allow the assessment to take place.

In all other respects this component is identical to previous examination series. The
candidates’ performance should be marked the same as in previous years with a Raw
Mark awarded and difficulty level applied to give a final mark of 30. The standard for
Performance remains the same as in previous examination series. Grade 4 is Standard
and a sliding scale of penalties will be applied for under-length performances.

Additional advice
Within the 1.5 minutes (for solo) or 2 minutes (for ensemble) of music learners can perform
one or more pieces of music. Teachers are advised to encourage learners to perform
music that shows off their strengths and musicality.

Component 2: Composing
With regards to Composition Assessment the Ofqual modifications for 2021 are to require
students to compose one or more pieces of music with a combined minimum duration of at
least 2 minutes. For this year only the Free Composition is submitted. No Set Briefs will be
released for 2021. It is important that for the Free Composition the brief is set by the
student with support from their teacher. Candidates should consider the role of the
audience and / or occasion in the brief. The piece can be composed for any instrument or
combination of instruments and / or voice and in any style. The requirement to produce a

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recording and a score, lead sheet or written account of the composition, produced by the
candidate remain.

Changes to Pearson Edexcel GCSE Music Component 2 for 2021:
In response to Ofqual’s decision the required minimum composition length will reduce from
3 minutes to 2 minutes. This will be single free composition. Pearson Edexcel will not
produce set brief compositions. If a candidate wishes to submit a live performance of their
composition this can be a video recording made on a video conferencing platform between
candidate/performers and the Teacher Assessor. The Teacher Assessor must arrange the
call and make an unedited recording of the composition. This change is for summer 2021
only.

In all other respects this component will be identical to previous examination series. It will
remain marked by the teacher. The application of the mark scheme will remain consistent
with previous series and a sliding scale of penalties will be applied for under-length
performances. The composition should be marked out of 30, using the same mark scheme
as previous series.

Additional advice
The three assessment grids in the specification should be used to assess the Free
composition for evidence. Teachers and learners should note that in Assessment Grid 1:
Developing musical ideas - the third bullet point, ‘For brief – set composition’ should not
be assessed. Experience suggests that the most successful compositions fully developed
and extended their ideas, maintained stylistic characteristics and conventions throughout.
In Assessment Grid 2: Demonstrating technical control candidates need to securely
manage the musical elements, exploit all parts idiomatically and consider textural variety.
In Assessment Grid 3: Composing with musical coherence candidates need to consider
structure devices have a convincing sense of direction and consistent sense of fluency
and contrast throughout.

Learners can use previous GCSE briefs for guidance, or even use them directly for
compositions in summer 2021 if they wish to.

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Component 3: Appraising
This component is not proceeding for 2021.

Support
It is important to us that you feel fully supported during this time so there are subject
specialists available to answer any questions you may have. There are many ways to
contact the Music team:

                                         Subject Adviser: Jeffery Hole
                                         Twitter: @PearsonMusic1
                                         Join the Facebook page or the online
                                         community at the links on the Pearson
                                         Qualifications website.
                                         https://support.pearson.com/uk/s/qualification-
                                         contactus

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