Music gives you the opportunity to use your imagination and express yourself in a creative and practical way. It helps you to develop important skills such as: playing a musical instrument, communication, creative thinking, using your voice, composing and arranging music. You can develop and consolidate your skills in performing and creating music, and develop your creativity and confidence as you explore and develop your own creative ideas and music.
The skills you learn on this course not only makes a valuable contribution to your general education and personal development but also allows you to develop the skills and knowledge required to proceed to further study and/or follow a career in music.
Career Pathways
To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:
This is at the discretion of the school/college but you would normally be expected to have attained:
The course consists of three areas of study.
Performing Skills
You will:
Composing Skills
You will:
Understanding and Analysing Music
You will:
Course Assessment
The course assessment has four components totalling 120 marks:
Component 1 - Question Paper. You will demonstrate your conceptual knowledge and understanding of music by responding to music excerpts and an associated range of questions in sophisticated and challenging musical contexts.
Component 2 - Assignment. You will compose or arrange one piece of music, reivewing the creative process and analysing a chosen piece of music.
Component 3 - Performance Instrument 1 (instrument or voice): This is mandatory. This can be performed solo or in a group setting.
Component 4 - Option: Performance Instrument 2. You will perform on a contrasting instrument (or voice) to that of Component 3.
Component 4 - Option: Portfolio (course code C878 77). You will explore and develop musical ideas. This has two parts, where you will compose and/or arrange music, and review the creative process of your composition and/or arrangement.
The question paper will be set and externally marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Performance components 3 and 4 will be assessed by a visiting SQA Assessor.
The portfolio component will be externally marked by the SQA.
The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across course assessment.
The course assessment is graded A-D.
SQA Past Papers Music Advanced Higher
SQA Specimen Paper Music Advanced Higher
Further study, training or employment in:
