Singapore JC Subject List - Music (H2)

This course engages students in a range of traditional and contemporary genres, styles, and media, fostering personal meaning, developing individual musical voices, and highlighting the relevance of musical practice. It develops musical understanding through Listening, Creating, and Performing, allowing students to explore their musical inclinations. The syllabus prepares students for further music study and cultivates lifelong interest and involvement in music.

Aims

• Integrate musical skills, knowledge, and understanding across Listening, Creating, and Performing.
• Develop advanced skills in communicating, collaborating, and expressing musical ideas and understanding.
• Develop an enduring understanding and appreciation of diverse local and global musical cultures.
• Develop critical and creative thinking in music.
• Develop independent learners with inquiring and innovative minds through reflective practices in music.
• Provide the basis for an informed, lifelong appreciation and active involvement in the arts.

Framework

The syllabus comprises four papers:

• Music Studies (9753/11 and 9753/12): Organized by Areas of Study, covering diverse musical styles and traditions, encouraging analytical and critical thinking through active listening.
• Creating (9753/2): Develops musical and reflective skills, enabling students to evaluate and articulate their musical understanding, interpretation, and creative decisions.
• Performing (9753/3): Develops musical and reflective skills, enabling students to evaluate and articulate their musical understanding, interpretation, and creative decisions.

Areas of Study

The syllabus covers four areas of study:

1. Western Art Music:

• Focuses on genres from the Classical Period.
• Includes symphonies (2024-2025) and operas (2026-2028).
• Explores historical, social, and cultural contexts, stylistic concepts, structure, melody, and harmony.

2. Asian Music:

• Covers Chinese Solo Instrumental Music (Dizi, Pipa, Sheng, Zheng), Music of Traditional Malay Dances (Asli, Inang, Joget, Zapin), and Indian String Music (Carnatic and Hindustani).
• Explores aesthetic, social, and cultural contexts, improvisation, arrangement, instrumental techniques, and musical elements specific to each tradition.

3. Jazz Music in the Late 1950s-70s:

• Focuses on the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Herbie Hancock.
• Explores the historical, social, and cultural backdrop of jazz development, the impact of technology and mass media, and new approaches in composition and improvisation.
• Covers musical elements such as melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, timbre, instrumentation, form, structure, and the use of technology.

4. Compositional Techniques of Modern and Contemporary Composers:

• This area is for teaching and learning purposes and is not directly assessed in the examinations.
• It informs Question 5 of Paper 12 (Music Studies).

Assessment

• Paper 11 (Music Studies - Structured Questions): 25 marks (40% weighting), 180 minutes.
• Paper 12 (Music Studies - Commentaries and Essay Questions): 75 marks (40% weighting), 180 minutes (taken in the same sitting as Paper 11).
• Paper 2 (Creating - Free Composition and Arrangement): 100 marks (30% weighting), coursework.
• Paper 3 (Performing - Recital and Viva Voce): 100 marks (30% weighting), practical exam.