Music

The Music Department is here to make music. All students have musical ability and we will help your child to have confidence in their ability and to develop it to a higher level.

Key Stage 3

Students in Years 7 to 9 receive a curriculum music lesson once a week - the Key Stage 3 course includes:

• listening to and discussing musical examples in a range of styles such as fanfares, overtures, silent movies, blues, variations, musical clichés, film music, dance music
• performing music on voice, keyboards, guitars and ukuleles
• composing music in pairs and small groups
• using music software such as Music Creator and Dance e-jay

Key Stage 4

GCSE Music [AQA] is offered in Years 10 and 11.  The course covers solo and group performing, listening to and discussing a wide range of music, creating two compositions. 

Key Stage 5

AS and A Level Music [AQA] is offered in Years 12 and 13
The course covers performing, listening, analysis of two set works, free or pastiche composition, study of choral music and musicals.

Extended music provision

Students can receive specialist tuition at very reasonable cost, in school time, in the following:

Woodwind, Brass & String instruments, Guitar, Drums, Keyboard, Piano, Voice

 The Department provides a wide range of ensembles that meet during the day or after school:

Boys’ Choir, Girls’ Choir, School Choir, Post-16 Choir, Staff Choir

Orchestra, Woodwind Group, Brass Group, String Group, Jazz Group, Recorder Group

 Regular performances throughout the year celebrate achievement and showcase ability, including: ‘Opportunity Knocks’ talent show, SingUp, Cockermouth by Candlelight, Carol Singing, Carol Service,

Recitals Week, Carlisle Music Festival, Classical Song, Summer Concert, Cockermouth Live!, Blues Night.

An annual show, produced with the Drama Department – this year’s is ‘The Pirates of Penzance’.

 Cockermouth Music Centre is an independent organisation which offers classes at Cockermouth School on Saturday mornings in the autumn and spring terms, including:

Band, Folk Group, Samba Band, Viol Group, Saxophone Group, Clarinet Choir, Junior and Senior Choir;

Beginner, Intermediate, Senior Guitar and Ukulele Groups, Rock School, Theory, Keyboard, Recorders;

(For Years 2 and 3: Minims & Quavers, Little Recorders and Little Voices) www.cockermouthmusccentre.org

Staff

Martin Ulyatt, Head of Department   ulyattm@cockermouthschool.org

Duncan Murray

Visiting specialist teachers:
Phil Curzon (Guitar, Bass Guitar)       Susan Ellis (Woodwind)                      Craig Hoggarth (Drums)

Fiona Weakley (Voice)                       Gary Williams (Brass)                         Paul Witty (Upper Strings, Bass)
Amanda Wright (Keyboard & Piano)                                                              Name tbc (Cello)