Music O'level

The study area SEC Music is informed by the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).

Music encapsulates an artistic expression, which goes beyond conventional linguistic practices. Music is an artistic medium, comprising the beauty of form, melody, harmony, and expression of emotion, all of which pertain to one or more artistic strand/s, namely creativity (composition), auditory (listening), expressivity and performance. These strands intertwine into a collage of artistic skills, with a direct positive impact on the overall academic achievement of the student. During the course, candidates will have the opportunity to explore all of these strands through theory, musicianship, history, analysis and performance classes. These sessions are implemented both in groups and individually, with the aim of bringing out the artistic creativity of students.

Music as a universal mode of expression propels the students to develop further their instrumental/vocal skills and ensemble playing. This course incorporates a variety of strands related to music learning – listening and responding, performing and composing. Music education can act as a springboard for students to further develop skills in confidence, personality and presentation. Music learning widens the students’ cultural horizons both in Malta and globally, the cultural sector offers a variety of areas of interest that can lead to various possible openings.

At the end of the programme, the student will be able to: 

• compose a melody to a given set of words
• compose and develop a melody for a specific voice/instrument
• analyse harmony and integrate it in one’s own work
• demonstrate competence in musical performance on one’s principal instrument, with particular emphasis on technical precision
• demonstrate competence in basic solo and ensemble playing skills and within different performance setups
• demonstrate one’s knowledge in music theory and basic aural skills through practical application
• notate effectively using conventional notation and appropriate terminology
• demonstrate one’s knowledge, skills and understanding of theoretical concepts
• show an understanding of different scores in order to identify musical characteristics
• identify music from different periods and styles, and explain their common and contrasting features from a set repertoire
• discuss the biographical profiles of different composers from a set repertoire
• distinguish between different voice ranges, instruments and ensembles
• listen, respond to and identify features in a piece of music
• listen to, memorise and notate/sing a short melody in the form of dictation/singing
• listen to and recognise different styles and time periods of music and am able to draw on one’s aural knowledge to understand basic musical features