Options!!! Music vs History

[dodgepot]

Hi All

We've hit Options choosing time for Yr10. DD is a top set pupil so will take all the usual subjects plus has been "offered" the chance to take an English course that includes 4 GCSEs' . She is keen to take up that option although is comes with the warning of an increased workload at a fast pace. Her dilemma is that the timetable allows for one more subject so she is trying to decide between History and Music.

I would prefer History as a more academic subject but as her tutor pointed out it’s not my choice. I am also concerned that the increased workload required with "English 4" would make the addition of another heavyweight academic GCSE like History a bit hard going given DD’s casual approach to schooling and life in general! She wants to perform. She doesn't play an instrument but obviously sings and hopes/intends to go on to Musical Theatre training after A's so would Music be of greater benefit with that in mind?

So my question is this.... Music or History, Does it matter and if Music is the better choice GCSE or BTEC??

Thank you

[Robin64]

Hi
If your DD doesn't play an instrument to around grade 5 level do not opt for music GCSE. It is one of the hardest GCSEs. If your DD wants to take some qualifications with her singing then let her take some Trinity exams for voice eg the new rock and pop exams, MT or regular singing exams. GCSE music needs an excellent grasp of theory and composition. There may be some music BTECs which might suit but I wouldn't go for that option if she has a heavy workload already. I have not heard of English 4. My dds went to grammars and did English Language and English Literature GCSEs. The girls they knew doing music all said it was one of the hardest GCSEs and they were girls who played instruments.

History is fine if your DD is pretty good at essay writing in general. How about drama or dance GCSEs if she wants to do MT? also PE GCSE includes dance as an examined component and is great if your DD would like some active time and fitness - needed for performance stamina. I guess you either like PE or not though so would depend on your DD. One of mine didn't like it the other loves it.

Obviously this is just my opinion but tbh I have DDs in Y12 and y10 so I have heard/read a lot about GCSEs and music is always the tough one and time consuming too. Neither of mine took it as an option as DD1 took art and textiles and DD2 opted for dance & drama (her music teacher suggested music as DD sings well but she had given up violin at G3 and that level of theory is too low for GCSE music) I am sure others will know more and can help. In the end it is up to your DD and maybe going with the subjects she enjoys the most and the teachers she likes is the way forward. Both history and music are equally respected.

[dodgepot]

Thank you! That sort of turns my idea that Music was the easier option on its' head!!
She is doing Drama and although she does dance she is not sporty so we were only heading for the BTEC PE. She is however taking Drama.
I was keener on the History for my own misguided reasons but she will be interested to read your comments.

Thanks again xx

[Pearl]

Hi my dd is in year 10 at grammar school and is doing history and music GCSE. She plays piano up to grade 3 but will be using her voice as her instrument for the purpose of her GCSE. She says there are some kids who are amazing at instruments and others who are self taught so don't worry about the instrument if she can sing. She says there are easy and hard elements of the music GCSE 30% is based on performance which our girls should find easy! 40% is based on 12 pieces which they have to learn and the other 30% is composition which is probably the hardest part.
There is a lot of essay writing in history and if she is doing so much english would it not be more beneficial to do something completely contrasting.
Feel free to ask any questions x

[Sweep]

I am in agreement with Pearl. My DD did music GCSE using her voice and came away with a B, she was at grade 6 for her singing exams at that time. She did find elements of the course very interesting and some not really to her taste but she did get the opportunity to perform a song she had written and enjoyed that. I agree not an easy option but in parts useful. My DD is now taking MT, drama, dance and Media A levels and it has broadened her musical knowledge which can't be bad. Not an easy option though, but History isn't either as other DD is taking that one and as Pearl said she will find some parts enjoyable and familiar.

[Welsh Mum]

As a History teacher i would say the pluses are that it is a very well respected "academic" subject. Also if you enjoy it, you will find the course very interesting (find out what topics hey are studying though as these vary a lot). Cons are its a "harder" subject which needs excellent revision skills and also very good literacy.

Both DDs did Music GCSE - one had 2 instruments (piano and violin) and the other voice and violin. If they are musical it can be a very enjoyable subject, but the composing element is hard (esp if you don't read music) and the aural can be tricky. However, i do not think it would really benefit someone later intending to do MT - as long as they are doing their singing elsewhere.

What is hugely beneficial for a future MT student is the ability to read music and sight sing. It's not essential, but so much easier if you have done the theory etc. If she has not already done this then i would suggest doing that as well - she should be able to do this through her singing teacher if she has one.

[sapphire]

DD did history to A level and DS is about to sit his GCSE and wants to continue to A Level and hopefully beyond ... both LOVE(D) the course so although it is an essay intensive course they have never complained and DS is certainly not someone who knowingly overexerts himself academically! DD has actually found it useful for performing in terms of exploring context etc. I think Music is a bit like Art ... more time-consuming than you imagine, especially the composition element. Drama can be a bit like that too, especially around the time of the practical assessment. Good luck to her whatever she chooses ...

[Livy2]

Hi,

We were recommended that if a student is academically minded then they should do GCSE music rather the BTEC music. Music GCSE is hard (I agree with all the other comments on this). My DD is doing History and Music and History was her last resort as the school wouldn't let her do all 3 options she wanted but now she really enjoys it and is hoping to get good marks in history which will be a bonus.

[mrs_lovett]

I'm a Music teacher and last year 2 of my students who only had voice as an instrument got A*s. It is possible to do GCSE Music without another instrument but you must be prepared to work hard. It is very coursework heavy and the AQA course also involves a large quantity of composing as well as performing. The course is hard work and the theory is quite tricky as you have to have a good ear for picking out musical features. That said, my students generally love the course and learn a lot with many going on to take it at post-16. Most of them are passionate performers. I would definitely recommend the GCSE over the BTEC at this level but at level 3, BTEC is much more accessible than A level music for singers.

Hope this helps.

[dodgepot]

Thank you for all for your very useful comments (as usual!)
We feel much better informed. Now to thrash it out and decide