Music - Higher
Statistically, the "easiest" LC subject with 95% of Higher level students getting an honour.
50% of the marks are awarded by April, which means Music is a little less to worry about when it comes to exam time.
Higher Level Course Content
- Composing melody & Bass from chords
- Composing to a Given Dance Rhythm or Meter
- Composing: Adding A Countermelody/Descant & Chords
- Composing: Adding Bass & Chords to a tune
- Composing: Continuation of a given opening
- Composing: Setting Music to a given text
- Listening - Aural Skills (Unheard)
- Listening - Bach
- Listening - Barry
- Listening - Berlioz
- Listening - Deane
- Listening - Irish Music
- Listening - Irish Music Essay
- Listening - Mozart
- Listening - Queen
- Listening - Tchaikovsky
- Listening - The Beatles
- PRACTICALS
- Unprepared - Aural Memory Melody
- Unprepared - Aural Memory Rhythm
- Unprepared - Improvisation
- Unprepared - Sight-reading (all)
- Unprepared - Sight-reading (Rhythm Guitar)
- Unprepared - Sight-reading (Sight-clapping)
- Unprepared - Sight-reading (Ukulele)
Ordinary Level Course Content
- Adding Bass & Chords at Cadence points
- Adding Descant Notes & Chords
- Composing bass & Melody from Chords
- Composing to a given rhythm or meter
- Continuation of a given opening
- Listening - Aural Skills (Unheard)
- Listening - Bach
- Listening - Barry
- Listening - Berlioz
- Listening - Deane
- Listening - Irish Music
- Listening - Mozart
- Listening - Queen
- Listening - Tchaikovsky
- Listening - The Beatles
- PRACTICALS
- Setting Music to a given text
The Exam - Higher and Ordinary
Listening Paper (100 marks - 25%)
In June of 6th year, a 90-minute long test where you are tested on four set works, Irish music and general listening skills.
Composition Paper (100 marks - 25%)
In June of 6th year, a 90-minute long test where you are tested on Melody writing and harmony
Performance (100 marks - 25%)
In April of 6th year, a test where you perform as a soloist or as part of a group or both.
Higher Level: 3 pieces on one instrument and one unprepared test OR 2 pieces on each of two instruments and one unprepared test
Ordinary Level: 2 pieces on one instrument and one unprepared test.
Electives (100 marks - 25%) - Higher level only
You must choose one of the above parts to study for this extra credit. Most people (97%) go for the Performance elective. As Ordinary level does not have an elective component, the component in which the student achieves the highest mark is reweighted to a mark out of 200 to make up 400 marks in total.
Listening Elective: You must work on a music project over the course of 5th and 6th year and submit some work to the State Examinations Commission and sit an extra written paper in June.
Composition Elective: You must undertake a large-scale composition to be submitted to the Examinations Commission in your final year.
Performance Elective: This involves a more substantial performance during the examination period in April of 6th year.
Future Careers with Leaving Certificate Music
This subject is not an essential requirement for any courses in the CAO system. Future careers can include Artist, Musician, Actor, Performance, Education.
Download the Leaving Cert Music Syllabus
Download the Leaving Cert Music Chief examiner's report (2012)
Download the Leaving Cert Music Guidelines for Teachers
