Music

 

Performing Arts Pathways

 

 

 

Welcome to Performing Arts 

Learning Pathways 

	Drama	Music	Music Technology
BGE	S1-3 BGE	S1-3 BGE	S1-3 BGE
Level 4	National 4	National 4	National 4
Level 5	National 5	National 5  National 5 Creative Industries	National 5  National 5 Creative Industries
Level 6	Higher Drama  NPA Acting & Performance  NPA Technical Theatre	Higher Music  NPA Music Performance	Higher Music Technology  NPA Sound Production
Level 7	AH via PKC City Campus	Advanced Higher	Advanced Higher

 

 

Drama will develop your skills in a number of areas, from acting and presenting, to reading, writing and analysing. Drama will give you the opportunity to explore and express your personal thoughts and feelings about relevant and thought-provoking stories. It will push your writing, reading and listening skills to new and unexplored levels through bringing text to life and will require you to interpret the thoughts and feelings of writers and actors. You will also have the opportunity to explore a range of production areas (e.g. sound, costume, set design).  

Music will develop your skills in a variety of areas, from performing and composing to listening, analysing, reading and writing about music. It provides you with the opportunity to explore and express your personal thoughts and emotions creatively, while encouraging respect for different musical styles, cultures and viewpoints. Within a safe and supportive environment, young people will feel confident taking creative risks. By working together in ensembles and group tasks, learners will continuously build their musicianship. Throughout the course, learners will be challenged to reach their full potential, achieving personal and collective success in their musical journey. 

Music Technology will develop your skills in a range of areas, from recording, sequencing and sound design to listening, analysing and evaluating music. It provides you with the opportunity to explore and express your personal ideas creatively using modern technology, while encouraging respect for different musical styles and the work of others. viewpoints. Within a safe and supportive environment, young people will feel confident experimenting with new software and equipment. Learners are provided with insight into the music industry and develop integrity by understanding intellectual property law. Throughout the course, learners will be challenged to reach their full potential, achieving personal and collective success as they create and produce their own projects. 

Staff 

• Mr C Scrimgeour (Faculty Head) 

• Ms C Bebbington (Music) 

• Ms K Ramsay (Drama) 

Instrumental Music Service Staff 

• Mrs E Blackwood (Brass) 

• Mrs J Colvin (Cello) 

• Ms I Crosby (Double Bass & Bass Guitar) 

• Mrs L McGovern (Upper Strings) 

• Mr G Mulholland (Bagpipes) 

• Mr O Nicholson (Guitar) 

• Mr M Popp (Percussion) 

• Mrs D Purcell (Woodwind) 

Qualifications Scotland 

Drama Components Overview 

National 5 Drama consists of three components: 

• Practical Exam - the presentation of a scripted piece; or production role. Candidates can choose production roles from the following: set design, lighting, sound, costume, makeup, or props (worth 50% of total grade) 

• Preparation for Performance – written task (worth 10% of total grade). 

• Written Exam (worth 40% of total grade) 

 

Higher Drama consists of three components: 

• Practical Exam – actors perform two extracts and designers study set design alongside one other production area (directing, sound, lighting, costume, makeup or props) which is presented to an external examiner (worth 50% of total grade) 

• Preparation for Performance - a 500-word essay detailing their approach to the final practical exam (worth 10% of total grade) 

• Written Exam – Candidates analyse a prescribed text and live theatrical performance (worth 40% of total grade) 

 

NPA Acting & Performance is a practical course that focuses on: 

• Acting Techniques – developing skills in voice, movement, and character portrayal. 

• Performance Preparation – understanding rehearsal processes and staging. 

• Assessment of practical performances and reflective evaluations 

 
NPA Technical Theatre in Practice is a practical course that focuses on: 

• Technical Skills – developing knowledge and skills in areas such as sound, set, props, costume, and makeup. 

• Production Processes – understanding how technical elements are planned, created, and used effectively in performance. 

• Assessment of practical production work and reflective evaluations. 

 

Music Components Overview 

National 5 Music consists of three components:  

• Performing – a performance of at least two contrasting pieces on each student’s chosen instruments, totalling 8 minutes at a minimum of Grade 3 (worth 50% of total grade). 

• Assignment – an original composition and a review of the composition process (worth 15% of total grade). 

• Question Paper – involving answering questions based on listening to excerpts of music and identifying different concepts (worth 35% of total grade). 

 

Higher Music consists of three components:  

• Performing – a performance of at least two contrasting pieces on each student’s chosen instruments, totalling 12 minutes at a minimum of Grade 4 (worth 50% of total grade). 

• Assignment – an original composition and a review of the composition process (worth 15% of total grade). 

• Question Paper – involving answering questions based on listening to excerpts of music and identifying different concepts (worth 35% of total grade). 

 

Advanced Higher Music consists of three components:  

• Performing – a performance of at least two contrasting pieces on each student’s chosen instruments, totalling 18 minutes at a minimum of Grade 5 (worth 50% of total grade). 

• Assignment – an analysis of a chosen piece of music; an original composition and a review of the composition process (worth 15% of total grade). 

• Question Paper – involving answering questions based on listening to excerpts of music and identifying different concepts (worth 35% of total grade). 

Music Technology Components Overview 

National 5 Music Technology consists of two components:  

• Production Assignments - two separate productions (together worth 70% of total grade);  

• Question Paper - involving answering questions based on listening to excerpts of music and identifying different concepts (worth 30% of total grade) 

 

Higher Music Technology consists of two components:  

• Production Assignment (worth 70% of total grade);  

• Question Paper - involving answering questions based on listening to excerpts of music and identifying different concepts (30% of grade) 

 

Advanced Higher Music Technology consists of two components:  

• Research Project (30% of grade)  

• Large-scale Production Assignment (70% of grade) 

 

Further course information and all resources can be found on MS Teams (requiring GLOW login). 

 

 

External Resources 

All school resources will be shared with students through their class Team, however there are some external resources which may also support them. 

The following websites may support students’ revision in Music: 

• Music Theory mymusictheory.com 

• My Music Online mymusiconline.co.uk 

• BBC Bitesize bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/ 

• Musipedia ataea.co.uk 

• Bright RED digitalzone.brightredbooks.net 

The following books are available to purchase or to borrow from a library: 

• Bright RED Study Guide: National 5 Music, Adrian Finnerty (2017) 

• How to Pass National 5 Music (2nd Edition), Joe McGowan (2018) 

• Bright RED Study Guide: Higher Music, Adrian Finnerty (2019)  

• The JM-Education Guide to Higher Music, Joe McGowan (2020) 

• Bright RED Study Guide: Advanced Higher Music, Adrian Finnerty (2023)