OCR GCSE Music: Integrated Portfolio and Practical - the NEA components, performing, composing and the listening exam

What this area covers

This area gathers the components and exam skills that cut across the whole course: the two non-exam components (the Integrated Portfolio and the Practical Component), the performing and composing skills they assess, and the Listening and Appraising exam with the elements vocabulary and the unfamiliar-listening method it demands. It is the practical and exam backbone of OCR GCSE Music.

This guide ties together the seven dot-point pages for the area.

The two non-exam components

The Integrated Portfolio (J536/01 or 02, 30%) contains a solo performance and a free-brief composition the student sets, rooted in Area of Study 1. The Practical Component (J536/03 or 04, 30%) contains an ensemble performance and a composition to an OCR-set brief. Both are internally assessed and externally moderated. Together they make up the 60% for performing and composing.

Performing skills and recording

Performances across both components are marked on accuracy (notes, rhythm, intonation, fluency), interpretation (controlling the elements), and, for the ensemble, ensemble skills (timing, balance, listening, blend), with difficulty also taken into account. Because both are assessed from recordings, capture them cleanly and balanced, and keep your best complete take.

Composing techniques and development

Composing for either brief uses the same skills: generate a clear idea, develop it (sequence, transposition, inversion, augmentation, fragmentation, reharmonisation), structure it so ideas return and grow, and control the elements to fulfil the brief. A piece that grows one idea scores far better than one that loops it unchanged.

The Listening and Appraising exam

J536/05 (40%) is a written paper on Areas of Study 2 to 5, with aural, score-reading and appraisal questions, including an extended appraisal. The technique is to use the playings in passes, name a feature and explain its effect, use accurate vocabulary, and write concisely.

The elements and unfamiliar listening

The elements (MAD T-SHIRT) are the vocabulary the marks are written in. For an unfamiliar extract, work systematically through the elements, place the extract in its Area of Study from a cluster of signature features, and write a concise, evidenced appraisal. The method works on any music.

How to revise this area

1. Know the three components. Their content, weighting and assessment.
2. Build the practical work early. Record performances and develop compositions across the course.
3. Drill the elements. The MAD T-SHIRT checklist must be automatic.
4. Practise unfamiliar listening. Use a systematic method and the playings in passes.
5. Name feature plus effect. In the exam, always explain what a feature does, with evidence.

The dot points in this area

Each links to a focused answer page: the Integrated Portfolio, the Practical Component, performing skills and recording, composing techniques and development, the Listening and Appraising exam, the elements of music vocabulary and describing an unfamiliar extract.