Route Map through learning, teaching and
assessment
Course: Music
Level: Higher
This route map is intended to assist staff in planning and delivering the overall vision for Curriculum for Excellence.
It has been developed to signpost the relevant support materials available to assist staff in the planning of learning,
teaching and assessment of Higher Music.
The vision for the new qualifications is to create assessment opportunities that follow and support learning and
teaching. This follows the principles laid out in Building the Curriculum 5 and makes assessment a natural part of
learning and teaching.
Education Scotland has published support materials to help staff develop programmes of learning drawn from three
sources: course materials commissioned by Education Scotland, other support materials produced by staff
seconded to Education Scotland and course materials provided by staff through their education authorities. Further
materials will be added as they become available.
These support materials are not intended to constrain staff, hence they are neither prescriptive nor exhaustive.
They provide suggestions on approaches to learning and teaching that will promote development of the necessary
knowledge, understanding and skills for Higher Music. Staff are encouraged to draw on these materials, and
existing materials, to develop their own programmes of learning which are appropriate to the needs of learners
within their own context.
The link to Education Scotland’s support materials can be found below together with a number of other subjectspecific links staff may find helpful as they develop programmes of learning for Higher Music. These links are
followed by a sequential list of the key guidelines, advice and support for the Higher Music qualification. This
information is intended to support staff in deciding the most appropriate ways to generate evidence and assess
learners.
Useful links for learning and teaching Higher Music:
Education Scotland NQ course materials on GLOW (login and password required)
A wide range of learning and teaching resources to help staff develop programmes of learning.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/nqcoursematerials/subjects/music/index.asp (copy and paste this link
into your browser)
Education Scotland NNQs support
A link to support materials for existing National Qualifications.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learningteachingandassessment/curriculumareas/expressivearts/nqs/index.as
p
MUSIC
Education Scotland Learn Listening Online
An interactive resource to help learners improve their knowledge and listening skills
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learnlisteningonline/
SQA course and unit support notes providing advice and guidance on learning and teaching
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseUnitSupportNotes_Higher_ExpressiveArts_Music.pdf
Key Curriculum for Excellence support
A quick guide to finding vital information about Curriculum for Excellence under the following headings:
 the latest guidance, updates and plans for embedding Curriculum for Excellence
 information on assessment
 information on the new qualifications.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/keycfesupport/index.asp
National Assessment Resource (login and password required)
Materials that inform planning for learning, teaching, moderation and assessment.
https://www.narscotland.org.uk/
Scottish Association for Music Education
Resources, links and latest news for those involved in music education
http://www.same.org.uk/
Higher Music course content
Higher music consists of three Units and a Coursework Assessment:
Performing Skills
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_Unit_H_Music_PerformingSkills.pdf
There is a full package of unit assessment support available on the SQA Secure website for this mandatory unit.
The package includes unit assessments for both combined approaches, and also unit-by-unit approaches.
Composing Skills
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_Unit_H_Music_ComposingSkills.pdf
There is a full package of unit assessment support available on the SQA Secure website for this mandatory unit.
The package includes unit assessments for both combined approaches, and also unit-by-unit approaches.
Understanding Music
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_Unit_H_Music_UnderstandingMusicCD.pdf
There is a full package of unit assessment support available on the SQA Secure website for this mandatory unit.
The package includes unit assessments for both combined approaches, and also unit-by-unit approaches.
Course Assessment
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfEAssessmentOvervirMusic.pdf
Page 2 of this document outlines the requirements for the performance assessment and the question paper.
As with the previous higher music with performing, a visiting examiner will assess the performance. Learners are
expected to perform on two instruments or one instrument and voice. The standard of musical and technical skills
expected of learners will be benchmarked against the current Higher performance requirements.
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Unit assessment
Units are mandatory when taken as part of the full Higher Music course but they can be standalone also. Unit
support notes follow on from the course support notes.
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseUnitSupportNotes_Higher_ExpressiveArts_Music.pdf
Requirements for the coursework assessment (performance)
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseAssessSpec_Higher_ExpressiveArts_Music.pdf
Performance
The music performance exam on either two instruments or one instrument and voice is worth 60 marks in total. The
weighting for each instrument is the same, with 30 marks awarded to instrument one and 30 marks awarded to
instrument two. With the full course being awarded out of 100 raw marks, the performance, as has previously been
the case, represents 60% of the overall marks for the course award.
The purpose of the performance is to allow learners to demonstrate their performance and musical skills on either
two selected instruments, or on one selected instrument and voice. They will have marks awarded for melodic
accuracy/intonation, rhythmic accuracy, maintaining the tempo and flow of the music, conveying the mood and
character, tone and dynamics. Each piece will be marked out of 10 and as the total number of pieces in a
programme will vary, scaling will be used. Performances can be undertaken as a solo or as part of a group and
should be of a level of difficulty consistent with the previous higher music course (ABRSM Grade 4 or equivalent).
The overall performance time over the two instruments is 12 minutes, with at least one instrument/voice performing
for a minimum of 4 minutes. The programme must not exceed 13 minutes. Each candidate is expected to perform
at least two contrasting pieces on their selected instrument/voice.
Question paper
The purpose of the question paper is to test the learners’ knowledge and understanding of music concepts and
music literacy. The question paper will have 40 marks (40% of the total course assessment marks). Marks will be
awarded for the candidate’s ability to show an understanding of the concept content for the course and their ability
to identify concepts in a range of music excerpts and styles. Learners will also demonstrate their knowledge and
application of music literacy.
A specimen question paper demonstrating the scope of question types used and how learners are expected to
apply the concepts and their music knowledge can be accessed alongside marking instructions at:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/MusicRedactedSQPH.pdf.
For copyright purposes the full version of the specimen paper is accessible on the SQA Secure website.
Points of change and areas of stability across National 5 and new CfE Higher are discussed at:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/H_Music_Course_comparison.pdf.
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Verification
The verification process is intended to be supportive to practitioners.
Internal verification is the process of ensuring standards are applied uniformly and consistently within a school in
line with national standards. External verification is the process of ensuring that national standards are maintained
consistently across all schools and is carried out by SQA.
Information on quality assurance is available at: http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/58448.html.
The following links will also support practitioners when preparing evidence for verification purposes, including prior
verification, as well as internal and external verification:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/Prior%20Verification%20Centre%20Guidance%20FINAL.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/InternalVerificationGuideforSQAcentres.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/Evidence_required_for_verificationevents.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/SQA_Evidence_retention_requirements_A3_table.pdf.
Key messages from the verification process will be posted on the SQA website.
Results services
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/FA6669_SQA_Results_Services_A5_8pp_brochure_web.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/65427.html
SQA offer two services to replace the appeals process:
 Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service (details to be provided to SQA within ten days of the learner
sitting the external assessment)
 Post-results Service – this consists of a clerical check and/or a marking review if the centre has concerns about
the results of an individual or group.
T +44 (0)141 282 5000 E enquiries@educationscotland.gov.uk W www.educationscotland.gov.uk
Education Scotland, Denholm House, Almondvale Business Park, Almondvale Way, Livingston EH54 6GA
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