Music
These subjects involve developing creativity and the appreciation of the work of others. This involves learning the methods and techniques of the subject and producing your own work using these skills.
The Leaving Certificate Music syllabus provides continuity and progression from Junior Certificate Music. The general aims and overall shape of both is broadly similar. In providing the musical knowledge, understanding, practical competencies and attitudes appropriate to their age, abilities and interests, the syllabus caters for the varying needs of all students including those who wish to pursue further studies in music.
Music is in its own right, a way of “knowing” and a form of knowledge and it also encourages the cognitive processes used in other subject areas. It is an immensely useful subject. The syllabus continues to emphasise the integration of the three activity areas introduced at Junior Certificate level i.e. performing, listening and composing.
The syllabus structure has been adopted to provide a fully balanced musical experience central to which is the development of musicality. Studying music at Leaving Cert. provides a vital basis for further education in the area.
Career Possibilities
Music is useful for media work or studies, primary teaching, sound engineering, public relations, library work, communications, production, performance and music at third level.
Note: Students are required to be able to read music to study this subject. Little knowledge of music theory or history is not a problem but a working knowledge of a musical instrument (piano, guitar, voice etc.) is essential.
Third Level Entry Requirements
For most music courses, your Leaving Cert results are not the only factor considered for entry. Different colleges have diferent requirements. For example: to study Music in UCD an entrance test is given to all candidates and in NUIM applicants must sit an entrance exam, an interview and an audition.
Make sure to research thoroughly the requirements of your preferred course.
However, this subject is not an essential requirement for any courses in the CAO system.
Subject Content
The course consists of three main components:
(1) Composing
(2) Listening
(3) Performance
at Ordinary level, students will choose one of the three activities to represent 50 per cent, e.g.
Performing 50% Composing 25% Listening 25%
or...
Performing 25% Composing 50% Listening 25%
or...
Performing 25% Composing 25% Listening 50%
at Higher level, students will undertake additional studies (a Higher level elective in one of the three activities, e.g.:
Performing 25% Composing 25% Listening 25% + One Higher level elective 25%.
This will allow Ordinary level and Higher level students to gain up to 50 per cent of the total marks in the musical activity that best suits their talent.
Exam Structure
Listening Paper
Examined in June of 6th year
90 minutes duration
Four set works, Irish music and general listening skills.
Composition Paper
Examined in June of 6th year
90 minutes duration
Melody writing and harmony
Performance
Examined in April of 6th year
Candidates may 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 for extra 25%
(Higher level only) Each candidate must choose one of the above components to study for this extra credit. The majority tend to opt for a Performance elective.
Listening Elective: The candidate must work on a music project over the course of 5th and 6th year. They must submit some work to the State Examinations Commission and sit an extra written paper in June.
Composition Elective: The candidate must undertake a large scale composition to be submitted to the Examinations Commission in their final year.
Performance Elective: This involves a more substantial performance during the examination period in April of 6th year.
Comment
Students need not have studied music at Junior Level; however, they should have attained a competency in their practical musical ability.
Because of the practical nature of this subject, students and/or parents should discuss this with the senior level music teacher before choosing it as a Leaving Certificate subject.
Go to curriculum website
View / Download full curriculum [pdf file]
These subjects involve developing creativity and the appreciation of the work of others. This involves learning the methods and techniques of the subject and producing your own work using these skills.
The Leaving Certificate Music syllabus provides continuity and progression from Junior Certificate Music. The general aims and overall shape of both is broadly similar. In providing the musical knowledge, understanding, practical competencies and attitudes appropriate to their age, abilities and interests, the syllabus caters for the varying needs of all students including those who wish to pursue further studies in music.
Music is in its own right, a way of “knowing” and a form of knowledge and it also encourages the cognitive processes used in other subject areas. It is an immensely useful subject. The syllabus continues to emphasise the integration of the three activity areas introduced at Junior Certificate level i.e. performing, listening and composing.
The syllabus structure has been adopted to provide a fully balanced musical experience central to which is the development of musicality. Studying music at Leaving Cert. provides a vital basis for further education in the area.
Career Possibilities
Music is useful for media work or studies, primary teaching, sound engineering, public relations, library work, communications, production, performance and music at third level.
Note: Students are required to be able to read music to study this subject. Little knowledge of music theory or history is not a problem but a working knowledge of a musical instrument (piano, guitar, voice etc.) is essential.
Third Level Entry Requirements
For most music courses, your Leaving Cert results are not the only factor considered for entry. Different colleges have diferent requirements. For example: to study Music in UCD an entrance test is given to all candidates and in NUIM applicants must sit an entrance exam, an interview and an audition.
Make sure to research thoroughly the requirements of your preferred course.
However, this subject is not an essential requirement for any courses in the CAO system.
Subject Content
The course consists of three main components:
(1) Composing
(2) Listening
(3) Performance
at Ordinary level, students will choose one of the three activities to represent 50 per cent, e.g.
Performing 50% Composing 25% Listening 25%
or...
Performing 25% Composing 50% Listening 25%
or...
Performing 25% Composing 25% Listening 50%
at Higher level, students will undertake additional studies (a Higher level elective in one of the three activities, e.g.:
Performing 25% Composing 25% Listening 25% + One Higher level elective 25%.
This will allow Ordinary level and Higher level students to gain up to 50 per cent of the total marks in the musical activity that best suits their talent.
Exam Structure
Listening Paper
Examined in June of 6th year
90 minutes duration
Four set works, Irish music and general listening skills.
Composition Paper
Examined in June of 6th year
90 minutes duration
Melody writing and harmony
Performance
Examined in April of 6th year
Candidates may 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 for extra 25%
(Higher level only) Each candidate must choose one of the above components to study for this extra credit. The majority tend to opt for a Performance elective.
Listening Elective: The candidate must work on a music project over the course of 5th and 6th year. They must submit some work to the State Examinations Commission and sit an extra written paper in June.
Composition Elective: The candidate must undertake a large scale composition to be submitted to the Examinations Commission in their final year.
Performance Elective: This involves a more substantial performance during the examination period in April of 6th year.
Comment
Students need not have studied music at Junior Level; however, they should have attained a competency in their practical musical ability.
Because of the practical nature of this subject, students and/or parents should discuss this with the senior level music teacher before choosing it as a Leaving Certificate subject.
Go to curriculum website
View / Download full curriculum [pdf file]