GCSE Music at the Ulster College of Music

Specialist music tuition for students who want to study GCSE Music, AS Music or A2 Music outside the normal school timetable.

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GCSE Music class at the Ulster College of Music with teacher Dr Declan Plummer — Sarah McClean, Niamh Hughes, Rebecca Moore, Caoimhe McAlinney, Kathryn Polson, Renee Petersen, Luc Burns, Aoife Mullan. Teacher: Dr Declan Plummer.

A Unique Opportunity in Northern Ireland

The Ulster College of Music is unique in Northern Ireland as the only non-school centre to offer GCSE Music. Our GCSE class covers the full course in one academic year, with small class sizes, supportive teaching and a clear structure designed to help students succeed.

Classes are usually small, generally around 8 students, giving each student valuable teacher input and individual support. Lessons take place at the College and on Zoom, outside normal school hours, so students can continue with their regular school studies while completing GCSE Music.

One-Year GCSE

Complete the GCSE Music course in one academic year through structured weekly teaching.

Small Classes

Usually around 8 students, allowing for focused support, guidance and teacher feedback.

Flexible Study

Face-to-face and Zoom teaching outside school hours to fit around existing commitments.

Expert Teachers

Taught by Dr Declan Plummer and Dr Anselm McDonnell.

GCSE Music students at the Ulster College of Music — Alex Edwards, Michael Graham, Hannah Flavelle, Sheya Chan, Niamh MacDermott, Oisin McDonnell. Absent students: James Wright, Corey O'Loan.

Supportive GCSE Music Teaching

Students are guided carefully through each part of the CCEA GCSE Music course, with practical help in performance preparation, composition technique, listening skills and musical analysis.

The course is designed to give students a clear understanding of what is expected in each assessment area, while also helping them grow as confident, thoughtful and independent musicians.

GCSE Music Course Structure

1. Performing

30% Performance + 5% Viva Voce

Students prepare one solo piece and one ensemble piece, supported by guidance on suitable repertoire and CCEA performance requirements.

One solo piece, at least 2 minutes
One ensemble piece, at least 1 minute
Combined performance length no longer than 6 minutes
Viva voce discussion no longer than 3 minutes

All the details regarding the performance guidelines and possible topics of conversation with the examiner can be found in the Specification, particularly pp.6–8, 15–16 and Appendices 2 & 3, under the Syllabus Materials section of this page. Make sure you read these pages and let us know if you need help. All GCSE students and their ensemble accompanists will need to be available for an assessed performance recital, organised for a Saturday in February, usually during half term.

2. Composing

30%

Students learn composition techniques in the first few weeks of term before completing two compositions.

Composition A: free composition in a chosen style
Composition B: response to a CCEA pre-release stimulus
Stimulus options may include a melodic fragment, rhythmic motif or chord progression
Combined length of both compositions: 3–6 minutes
Recorded performance plus score, lead sheet or written account

Students must submit both compositions in the form of a recorded performance, which may be live or sequenced, and they must also provide one of the following for each composition: a detailed notated score; a lead sheet; or a written account, maximum 600 words, using a template provided by CCEA. Students will complete both compositions in College as this is controlled assessment.

3. Listening & Appraising

35%

Students will be taught how to analyse familiar and unfamiliar music by a range of composers, both male and female, within the four compulsory Areas of Study. Using eleven set works as case studies, students will learn how to comment perceptively on various musical features of any piece of music, including melody, harmony, tonality, form & structure, timbre, texture, tempo, metre, rhythm, dynamics and articulation.

1. Western Classical Music 1600–1910

Handel: For Unto Us a Child is Born from Messiah
Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 4, third movement
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, fourth movement

2. Film Music

Coates: March (The Dam Busters) from The Dam Busters
Williams: Superman Theme from Superman
Horner: Young Peter from The Amazing Spider-Man

3. Musical Traditions of Ireland

Beoga: Prelude Polkas: Prelude Polka, Paddy’s Polka No. 2 and Millstream Reel
Stonewall: Fife Medley: Boys of Belfast and The Girl I Left Behind

4. Popular Music 1980–present day

Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Ash: Burn Baby Burn
Florence and the Machine: Cosmic Love

Class Times

GCSE Composition: Mondays, 5:00–9:00pm, face-to-face at UCM. Students need to be available at some point during this period, with exact times arranged individually with Dr Anselm McDonnell.

GCSE Listening & Appraising: Fridays, 5:30–6:30pm on Zoom. Times may be adjusted depending on student interest.

GCSE students and ensemble accompanists will also need to be available for an assessed performance recital, usually organised on a Saturday in February during half term.

Course Teachers

Dr Declan Plummer GCSE Music teacher at the Ulster College of Music — Dr Declan Plummer

Dr Anselm McDonnell GCSE Music teacher at the Ulster College of Music — Dr Anselm McDonnell

Find Out More

Further information about the GCSE Music specification can be found on the CCEA website:

www.ccea.org.uk/music

To ask about GCSE Music classes, please contact the Ulster College of Music.

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GCSE Music Handouts & Course Documents

The following documents provide useful guidance for GCSE Music students and parents, including the full specification, assessment materials, planning documents and student support resources.