Music

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. Music is a universal language and is consumed by just about everyone in society; students should have the opportunity to progress in the creation of new music and the performance of previously composed music. Music is a social skill, performing and working with other musicians builds on skills of leadership and team building.

Performing music and hearing your own music performed gives a sense of achievement and develops confidence in expressing yourself in front of others. We aim to inspire students of all abilities and backgrounds to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.

We aim for students to develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to a range of music.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, all students explore music in the areas of performing, composing and listening, through activities which are as practical as possible. In Year 7, students study basic keyboard technique, learn to sing and play sea shanties, compose a piece in a fanfare style, and develop their ukulele skills using chord theory. All listening and appraising tasks are accompanied with musical theory and students answer questions on the elements and context of the music, both in class and for home learning. In Year 8, students progress to Caribbean music, Baroque, Blues, and composing for silent movies, with the same balance of theoretical and practical skills and knowledge. To conclude the Key Stage 3 course, Year 9 students cover hooks and riffs in popular songs, cover versions in mini bands, film music and electronic dance music. Throughout the Key Stage 3 course, students have the opportunity to develop their singing skills and perform songs in a range of different styles.

Key Stage 4

Music is offered as a GCSE preference and students follow the Eduqas GCSE Music specification. The specification integrates the disciplines of performing (solo and ensemble), composing and appraising through four interrelated Areas of Study (AoS). These are designed to develop knowledge and understanding of music through the study of a variety of genres and styles in a wider context. The Western Classical Tradition forms the basis of Musical Forms and Devices (AoS 1) and students are able to explore these forms and devices further in the other three areas of study. Music for Ensemble (AoS 2) allows students to look more closely at texture and sonority. Film Music (AoS 3) and Popular Music (AoS4) provide the opportunity to look at contrasting styles and genres of music.

Further information about the GCSE Music specification can be found here.

Key Stage 5

At Key Stage 5 we offer the RSL Level 3 Creative and Performing Arts course. This is a vocational course equivalent to 1 A Level and delivered in conjunction with the Drama department. The course aims to offer practical, structured learning with the flexibility to specialise in all areas of the creative and performing arts industry; dance, acting and musical theatre. The students will study two core units: Performance Preparation and Planning for a career in the creative and performing arts, then have the option to choose 5 other units from the following, and including at least one from each of Acting, Dance and Music: approaches to acting, acting audition techniques, choreography, global dance styles, dance techniques, solo music performance, ensemble music performance, vocal techniques and music in theatre and dance.

For more information on the Level 3 qualification in Creative and Performing Arts, please click here.

At Key Stage 5 we offer A-Level Music, continuing with Eduqas specification. Similar to GCSE, the A-Level course is split into three components: Performing (30%), Composing (30%), and Listening and Appraising (Written Exam) (40%). We study a range of music periods including the development of the symphony, 20th century music, and rock and pop. Students develop their composing, performing and aural listening skills throughout the course.

For more information on Eduqas A-Level Music, please click here.