What does the Eduqas Composing component require, and how is it assessed?
The Composing component (Component 2): the two compositions (one to an Eduqas brief, one free), the durations, marks and weighting, how the work is developed, notated and submitted, and how it fits the qualification.
An Eduqas GCSE Music answer to the Composing component (Component 2). Explains the two compositions (one to an Eduqas brief, one free), the durations, the marks and 30 per cent weighting, how the work is developed, notated and submitted, and how it fits the qualification. Confirm current requirements with your centre.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas assesses composing through two compositions (Component 2). This dot point sets out what the component requires (one to an Eduqas brief, one free), the durations, marks and weighting, how the work is developed, notated and submitted, and how it fits the qualification, so you can plan and build both pieces. The detail of composing to a brief and of the free composition and notating is covered in the other dot points of this module. Always confirm the current requirements with your centre, because details are reviewed.
What the component requires
The two compositions test different things: the Eduqas-set brief shows you can write to a given stimulus and constraints (linked to an Area of Study), while the free composition shows your own creative voice and chosen style. Both must be developed (built and refined), not just sketched. Remembering the one-brief, one-free split and the 3 to 6 minute total is essential when planning.
How it is marked and how it fits
So the single biggest lever is development: taking a good idea and growing it (repeating, varying, extending, contrasting, building a structure), rather than presenting many unrelated fragments. The other criteria, control of the medium, structure, meeting the brief and notation or technology, all reward craft. Because the practical work outweighs the exam, and good compositions take time to develop, starting early is wise.
How this module is organised
This module has two further dot points: composing to an Eduqas brief (reading and meeting a set brief linked to an Area of Study) and the free composition and notating (developing your own piece and notating or recording the folio). Each gives the practical detail behind the requirements.
Try this
Q1. How much is the Composing component worth, and out of how many marks? [2 marks]
- Cue. 30 per cent of the GCSE, marked out of 72.
Q2. What are the two compositions in Component 2? [2 marks]
- Cue. One to a brief set by Eduqas (from four briefs, each linked to an Area of Study) and one free composition, totalling 3 to 6 minutes. Confirm with your centre.
Q3. Explain what markers reward in a GCSE composition. [5 marks]
- What the marker wants. Development of musical ideas (using and developing the elements), a clear structure, control of the medium (idiomatic writing), meeting the brief for the set piece, and effective notation or technology.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas C660 (course knowledge)4 marksOutline the requirements of the Eduqas Composing component (Component 2), including the two compositions, the durations and the weighting. [4]Show worked answer →
A 4 mark course-structure question on Component 2.
Method. Component 2 Composing is non-exam assessment worth 30 per cent (72 marks). It is two compositions totalling 3 to 6 minutes: one to a brief set by Eduqas (chosen from four briefs, each linked to a different Area of Study) and one free composition (the candidate's own choice of style and brief). Both are developed across the course, notated or otherwise recorded, internally assessed and externally moderated.
Develop. Strong answers give the weighting (30 per cent, 72 marks), the two compositions and 3 to 6 minute total, the one-to-an-Eduqas-brief (from four, each linked to an Area of Study) and one-free split, and say the work is moderated. Confirm current requirements with your centre.
Eduqas C660 (course knowledge)5 marksExplain what markers reward in a GCSE composition. [5]Show worked answer →
A 5 mark question on the composing marking criteria (Component 2).
Method. Markers reward how well musical ideas are developed (not just stated): the use and development of the elements (melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, structure, timbre); a clear structure; control of the medium (writing idiomatically for the chosen instruments or voices); meeting the brief (for the Eduqas-set composition); and effective use of technology or notation. A composition that develops a few good ideas with a clear structure scores better than a string of unconnected ideas.
Develop. Strong answers cover development of ideas, use of the elements, structure, control of the medium and meeting the brief. A vague "it should sound nice" with no criteria caps the mark. Confirm requirements with your centre.
Related dot points
- Composing to an Eduqas brief: the four briefs (each linked to an Area of Study), how to read and interpret a brief, planning and developing material that meets it, and writing idiomatically for the chosen forces.
A focused Eduqas GCSE Music answer to composing to an Eduqas brief in Component 2 C660. Covers the four briefs (each linked to an Area of Study), how to read and interpret a brief, planning and developing material that meets it, and writing idiomatically for the chosen forces. Confirm the current briefs with your centre.
- The free composition and notating: choosing a style and starting idea, developing material across sections and a clear structure, and notating or recording the folio (staff notation, lead sheet, tab or recording with documentation) for submission.
A focused Eduqas GCSE Music answer to the free composition and notating in Component 2 C660. Covers choosing a style and starting idea, developing material across sections and a clear structure, and notating or recording the folio for submission. Confirm current requirements with your centre.
- The Performing component (Component 1): the requirements (at least two pieces, the ensemble requirement, the area-of-study link, durations, marks and weighting), how it is recorded and assessed, and how it fits the qualification.
An Eduqas GCSE Music answer to the Performing component (Component 1). Explains the requirements (at least two pieces totalling 4 to 6 minutes, an ensemble piece of at least one minute, a piece linked to an Area of Study), the marks and 30 per cent weighting, how it is recorded and assessed, and how it fits the qualification. Confirm current requirements with your centre.
- Melody, harmony and tonality in the Western Classical Tradition: melodic devices (sequence, conjunct and disjunct movement, ornamentation), harmonic features (cadences, pedal, diatonic and chromatic harmony) and tonality (major and minor keys, modulation).
A focused answer to melody, harmony and tonality in Eduqas GCSE Music C660 Area of Study 1, covering melodic devices (sequence, conjunct and disjunct movement, ornamentation), harmonic features (cadences, pedal, diatonic and chromatic harmony) and tonality (major and minor keys, modulation).
- The main structural forms of the Western Classical Tradition: binary, ternary, rondo, theme and variations, minuet and trio, and strophic and through-composed, with how each is built and recognised.
A focused answer to the main musical forms in Eduqas GCSE Music C660 Area of Study 1, covering binary, ternary, rondo, theme and variations, minuet and trio, and strophic and through-composed forms, with how each is built and recognised by ear.
Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE Music (C660) specification — Eduqas (WJEC) (2016)
- Eduqas GCSE Music: composing briefs and guidance — Eduqas (WJEC) (2016)