Leaving Certificate

Music

Leaving Certificate music is made up of the three interrelated areas of listening, composing and performing.

Leaving Cert Music

The breakdown of the course is as follows:

  • 25% Listening
  • 25% Composing
  • 25% Performing
  • 25% Elective

Higher Level students ‘elect’ to do an extra 25% of the course in one of the three areas of music. Most students choose to do the elective in performing as this is often the area students excel in. However, a student can also elect to create a composing portfolio or to complete a listening project which involves sitting an extra paper in the June exams.

There is the option of completing the performance exam using music technology. This involves inputting music using a piece of notation software. Depending on the level and the configuration you choose for your exam, it may also involve creating a backing track to perform along with.

 

Who Should Study Music?

  • If you have studied music at Junior Cycle and wish to further your studies in this subject.
  • You do not need to have studied music at Junior Cycle to take Leaving Cert Music. It is advisable, though not insurmountable , that you have a proficiency in singing or playing and instrument to do so.

careers in the music industry

  • Performer (singer,instrumentalist, band member, orchestra….)
  • Music Teacher (full time, part time)
  • Composer/Arranger/Songwriter
  • Concert Promoter
  • DJ/Radio work
  • Music Journalist/Critic
  • Music Librarian
  • Sound/Recording
  • Engineer/Technician
  • Talent scout for Record Labels
  • Stage hands at concerts
  • Music Supervisor (for movies, TV, video games, etc)
  • Booking agents/PR for musicians