Complete Guide: H1 Leaving Cert Music
It’s a 20,000 words, 93 page download that comes to your email.
Written by our special contributor: Shannon Boyle, LC Music teacher
Set A is examinable in 2025 and then it’s back to Set B in 2026.
Contents
Introduction to Leaving Cert Music
General Theory
Sight Reading
Reading Notation
Scales
Keys
Ingredients of Music
Texture
Form
Musical Techniques
Eras
Performance/Practical Exam
Technology Options
Solo/Group/SSOA Performance Tips
Solo Performance Tips
Group Performance Tips
Technology Tips
Marking Scheme Guidance
Unseen Test
Set Works (Set A only)
Set Work 1: Bach’s Cantata Jesu, der meine Seele
Background
Definitions
Overview of Cantata
Movement 1 Chorus
Overview
Points to note
Other features in the work
Analysis
Exam Questions
Movement 2 Aria Duet
Overview
Analysis
Exam Questions
Movement 3: Tenor Recitative
Overview
Points to note
Exam Questions
Movement 4: Tenor aria (flute obbligato)
Overview
Points to note
Analysis
Exam Questions
Movement 5: Bass Recitative
Overview
Points to note
Exam Questions
Movement 6: Bass Aria
Overview
Points to note
Analysis
Exam Questions
Movement 7: Chorale
Overview
Points to note
Comparative Grid for Movement 1 and 7
Exam Questions
Exam question tips in summary for entire wor
Set Work 2: Barry’s Piano Quartet
Background
Basics
Definitions
Performance Techniques
Compositional Techniques
Analysis
Summary of most commonly asked sections
Exam Topics
Set Work 3: Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody
Introduction to the work
Features of Queen’s style
Basics
Recording Techniques
Guitar techniques
Structure and Analysis
Important details in summary
Exam focus
Set Work 4: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet
Definitions
Basics
Main themes
Analysis
Themes in focus – where they are appear/how they chang
Exam Focus
Set Works (Set B only)
Set Work 1: The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Background to the album
Note
Definitions
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – Song
Overview
Analysis
Exam Questions
She’s Leaving Home
Basics
Analysis
Exam Focus
When I’m 64
Basics
Analysis
Exam focus
Set Work 2: Seachanges by Raymond Deane
Background
Basics
Performance Techniques
Compositional Techniques
Analysis
Exam Topics
Set Work 3: Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major
Movement One
Basics
Main themes
Structure and Analysis
Movement 2: Adagio
Basics
Themes
Structure
Movement Three: Allegro Assai
Basics
Main Themes
Exam Focus
Set Work 4: Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
Definitions
Movement 2: Un Ball
Basics
Main themes
Analysis
Movement 4: March Au Supplice: March to the Scaffold
Basics
Main themes
Analysis
Exam Focus
Question Five: Irish Traditional Music
Dance Tunes
Instrumentation
The Song Tradition
Fusion – Irish Traditional Music with other styles
Trad Essay
The Céilí Band
Further Points for Sean O Riada Essay
Further Points for: Fusion/Irish Group essay: Ceoltoiri Chualann
Further Points for Dance Tradition Essay
Points for Harp Essay
Further points for: Collectors Essay
Sean Nos Singing
Further Points for: Song Tradition
Regional Styles/Ornamentation
Changes in the Twentieth Century
Instruments
North America
Question 6: Aural Skills
Style and Genre
Musical Techniques
Glossary of Terms
Top Tips for Question 6 and Listening Paper
Melody Writing
Basics
Melody Structure
Development of the Opening
Variation
Sequence
Modulation
Sample Major Melody
Minor Key
Sample Minor Melody
Minor Melody in Focus
Upbeat
Tips
Deductions
Marking Scheme
Melody Checklist
Harmony Section
Basic Theory
Cadences
Bad Progressions to Avoid
Major Sample in Full
Commentary on Sample
Sample Answer (Minor)
Inversions
Bass notes
Consecutive Thirds
Marking Scheme
Harmony Tips in Summary