Music

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Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. As a department, we firmly believe in the unique power of Music to support the holistic development of each pupil.  Through their experience of our broad, engaging and aspirational curriculum, pupils will develop confidence, creativity, self-expression, resilience, analytical thinking and the ability to work effectively as part of a team. 

In particular, the curriculum will support the development of well-rounded, enthusiastic musicians who are able to:

  • Understand and appreciate a wide range of music and the way in which it reflects both its context and intent.

  • Perform with skill, musicianship and a contextual awareness of audience, venue and relevant performing conventions.

  • Compose and develop musical ideas through the skilful exploration of the elements of music in response to a range of briefs.

In addition to the music lessons that form a part of our curriculum, all pupils are offered the chance to participate in a range of additional musical experiences including learning to play a musical instrument, performing as part of a choir or instrumental ensemble and taking part in one of the many concerts that take place throughout the school year.

Key Stage 3

In Key Stage 3 pupils follow the programmes of study set out by the national curriculum. They learn to perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions. They learn to sing and to perform on a range of instruments, to create and compose music on their own and with others, and to understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated. Pupils study the use of pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and structure through the topics outlined below:
Year 7
  • Rhythm
  • Pitch
  • Chords
  • Texture, Form & Structure
Year 8
  • The Blues
  • Basso Ostinato
  • Score Reading
  • Film & Programme Music

 

 Year 9
  • Samba
  • Song Writing
  • Music for Video Games
  • Music Through Time

 Key Stage 4

Students who opt to study Music at GCSE will follow the AQA syllabus. The course builds upon the skills developed at Key Stage 3 and covers performance, composition and listening work through the exploration of four wide-ranging areas of study:

  • Western Classical Tradition 1650-1910
  • Popular Music
  • Traditional Music
  • Western Classical Music Since 1910

Students are assessed in three areas:

Component 1 – Listening 40% Students sit an exam (1 hr 30 mins) at the end of the course in which they answer a series of questions on both familiar and unfamiliar music.
Component 2 – Performance 30% Students are required to submit two performances, one of which must be a solo performance and the other in which they must perform as part of an ensemble.
Component 3 – Composition 30% Students will submit two compositions: one in response to an externally set brief and the other a free composition.

Students who opt to take Music GCSE need to be able to perform at a minimum of Grade 3 standard by the end of the course.

Exam Board: AQA (specification 8271)

For further details please visit: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/music/gcse

Key Stage 5

Students who opt to study A Level Music will follow the AQA syllabus. The course builds upon the three disciplines developed at GCSE and covers a wide range of musical styles including:

  •  Western Classical Tradition 1650-1910 (The Baroque Concerto, The Operas of Mozart & Romantic Piano Music)
  • Jazz (Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis)
  • Music for Theatre (Richard Rodgers, Stephen Sondheim, Claude-Michel Schönberg)

Students are assessed in three areas:

Component 1 – Listening 40% Students sit an exam (1 hr 30 mins) at the end of the course in which they answer a series of questions on both familiar and unfamiliar music.
Component 2 – Performance 30% Students are required to perform as either a soloist or as part of an ensemble for a total of 10 minutes.
Component 3 – Composition 30% Students will submit two compositions: one in response to an externally set brief and the other a free composition.

Students who opt to take A Level Music need to be able to perform at a minimum of Grade 6 standard by the end of the course.

Exam Board: AQA (specification 7272)

For further details please visit: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/music/as-and-a-level

 

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