Music

Year 7-9 Curriculum Overview

Year 10-11 Curriculum Overview

All students in year 7 have three lessons of music a fortnight, whilst year 8 and 9 students have two lessons per fortnight.  Music lessons at KS3 help students to acquire knowledge and skills in music through a variety of styles.

Students will acquire skills and knowledge through singing, playing the keyboard, ukulele and percussion instruments.  They will listen to a variety of styles and genres of music and discover the context and history of the pieces studied. Students are supported to compose their own ideas, to refine their work and learn to play in a group with others. Assessments are based on clear criteria encouraging students to demonstrate increasing musical fluency.

We offer GCSE music (EDUQAS exam board) as an option subject at key stage 4. Students will have the opportunity to learn and improve performing skills on an instrument of their choice, participating in an informal concert or recording session each term to build up the solo and ensemble pieces required for their final assessment. Students will also learn and develop composition skills in a number of genres using music production and notation software. Students will learn how to analyse and appraise music based on the four areas of study listed below and two set works

Area of study

1. Musical Forms and Devices Area of study
2. Music for Ensemble Area of study
3. Film Music Area of study
4. Popular Music

Click here for a link to the GCSE Music Specification that we follow.

GCSE SharePoint

GCSE Music Eduqas Specification

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music-gcse/#tab_keydocuments

• Students are encouraged to bring in their own headphones to use at school.
• Access to a musical instrument if they have instrumental lessons (these can be hired free from the Music Department)
• We strongly encourage students of all year groups to practise their keyboard skills on a regular basis. Access to a piano or keyboard at home would be beneficial and MIDI keyboards can be bought quite cheaply and plugged into a computer via a USB lead.
• Access to software programmes at home to enable students to compose and create their own music. GarageBand and Bandlab are good for KS3 and MuseScore and Sibelius are good for GCSE - see the 'Additional Music Resources  at the bottom of the webpage for more information.
• If taking GCSE Music, ensure they either have their own copy of the GCSE Music Revision Guide and GCSE Music Study Guide or have loaned them from the Music Department for free.

Additional Music Resources

Reading List & Useful Websites:

KS3 Music BBC Bitesize
GCSE Music Bitesize
GCSE Music Revision Guide
GCSE Music Study Guide
Music Sharepoint for class resources
Focus on Sound

• Encourage them to practise a keyboard regularly or the instrument that they play or to sing regularly.
• Encourage them to learn an instrument or join a music ensemble.
• Encourage them to play and perform, even if it is only to you, family and friends at home.
• Encourage them to complete homework tasks that are set on Teams.
• Purchase the GCSE Music study and revision guide.
• Help them to revise using the resources and websites listed in the next section.

We have a range of regular ensembles that take place every  week as well as a number of activities, trips and projects throughout the year that you can get involved in. Whatever stage you are at as a musician there is something for you, whether you receive tuition from the school or not. We run a string, woodwind and brass ensemble for all abilities, as well as a school choir and soul band. Students have the opportunity to perform on a regular basis at one of our concerts throughout the school year. 

Instrumental and Vocal Tuition

We offer a full range of high quality individual and group tuition for a range of instruments and vocals. Please click here for further information.