GCSE Music Curriculum Map (Edexcel) - Years 10 & 11 - 2024-2025

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Riley

GCSE Music curriculum map for Edexcel covering Years 10 and 11 across 2024-2025. It sets out half-term focus areas, key study works (e.g., Wicked/Defying Gravity, Release, Killer Queen, Samba Em Preludio, Pathetique, Star Wars Episode IV, Purcell, and Bach), and the corresponding skills development in analysis, composition, and performance. The plan integrates literacy through music vocabulary and analytical/essay writing, and embeds British Values via respect for cultural traditions, shared heritage, resilience, and reflective practice.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Year 10

Autumn 1 - Introduction and Defying Gravity

Autumn 2 - Release

Spring 1 - Killer Queen

Spring 2 - Samba Em Preludio & Free Composition Introduction

Summer 1 - Beethoven Pathetique & Free Composition Development

Summer 2 - Star Wars & Free Composition Completion

Year 11

Autumn 1 - Music for a While & Brief Composition Introduction

Autumn 2 - Bach Brandenburg Concerto & Brief Composition Development

Spring 1 - Brief Composition Completion & Revision

Spring 2 - Final Revision & Exam Preparation

GCSE Music Curriculum Map (Edexcel)–Years 10 & 11 2024-2025 Year 10 | Half Term | Focus Area | Key Content | Skills Development | Incorporation of Literacy and British Values | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Autumn 1 | Introduction
and Defying Gravity | -Overview of course structure and assessment.-Study Defying Gravity (Wicked)– context, structure, and features. | -Analytical skills: leitmotifs, texture, dynamics, and wordpainting.-Composition:
Compose a short dramatic piece using leitmotifs. | -Literacy: Developing musical vocabulary (e.g., leitmotif, texture) .-British Values:
Respecting diverse theatrical traditions and understanding their cultural context. | | Autumn 2 | Release | -Study Release (Afro Celt Sound System)– fusion styles, rhythm, instrumentation, and technology. | -Analyze world music influences and technology.-Composition: Develop a rhythmic piece using fusion techniques and loops. | -Literacy: Comparing cultural influences on music.-British Values: Exploring multicultural influences and their contributions to British society. | | Spring 1 | Killer Queen | -Study Killer Queen (Queen)– rock music features, harmony, and recording techniques. | -Analytical focus on production, harmony, and melody.-Composition: Create a song intro inspired by Killer Queen’s structure and style. | -Literacy: Writing analytically about the production process.-British Values: Recognizing Queen’s impact on British music and global culture. | | Spring 2 | Samba Em Preludio & Free Composition
Introduction | -Study Samba Em Preludio – Bossa Nova and jazz fusion, rhythm, harmony, and expressive elements.-Introduction to free composition coursework. | -Explore Latin rhythms and jazz harmony.-Composition: Begin brainstorming ideas for free composition, inspired by Samba Em Preludio. | -Literacy: Understanding key musical terms (e.g., syncopation, chromaticism) .-British Values: Respecting cultural diversity through music study. | | Summer 1 | Beethoven Pathetique & Free Composition
Development | -Study Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathétique)– sonata form, harmony, development of the piano and Classical-Romantic crossover.-Develop free composition ideas. | -Focus on sonata form, dynamics, and modulation.-Composition: Continue drafting and refining free compositions. | -Literacy: Writing about structure and form.-British Values: Exploring Beethoven’s universal appeal and the shared heritage of classical music. | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Summer 2 | Star Wars & Free Composition
Completion | -Study Star Wars: Episode IV– Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner – film music techniques, leitmotifs, and orchestration.-Finalise free composition coursework. | -Listening and appraising film music.-Composition: Finalise, record, and notate free composition. | -Literacy: Comparing orchestral techniques.-British Values: Recognizing the role of the arts in global and British identity. | Students performances are internally assessed once per half term, with a focus on solo performance in the first two terms of Year 10. In the last term of Year 10 we internally assess ensemble performances. Year 11 | Half Term | Focus Area | Key Content | Skills Development | Incorporation of Literacy and British Values | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Autumn 1 | Music for a While & Brief
Composition
Introduction | -Study Music for a While (Purcell)
– Baroque features, word painting, and ground bass.-Introduction to brief composition options | -Analyze Baroque music and word-setting.-Composition: Begin developing ideas for chosen brief with teacher feedback. | -Literacy: Analyzing and writing about Baroque styles.-British Values: Recognizing Britain’s early music heritage and its cultural significance. | | Autumn 2 | Bach Brandenburg Concerto & Brief Composition
Development | -Study Brandenburg Concerto No.
5, 3rd Movement – Baroque concerto grosso, texture, and fugal elements.-Focus on developing brief composition ideas. | -

FAQs

What students are assessed internally during Year 10?

Students are internally assessed once per half term. The first two terms focus on solo performance, while the last term focuses on ensemble performances.

Which Year 10 pieces are studied in Spring 2 and what composition task follows?

Spring 2 studies Samba Em Preludio, focusing on Bossa Nova and jazz fusion elements. Students begin brainstorming ideas for free composition inspired by Samba Em Preludio.

How does the curriculum develop literacy and British Values?

Literacy is built through developing musical vocabulary and writing analytically in essays and timed responses. British Values are embedded by encouraging respect for diverse cultural traditions, recognizing shared heritage, and promoting resilience through reflection and revision.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Riley