MUSIC

"Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people don't understand the language that you're singing in, they still know good music when they hear it."

- Lou Rawls

OUR CURRICULUM INTENT

In music we have designed a curriculum which grows our students in confidence and with their skills in music performance, composition and music technology. Our curriculum is modern and explores genres and styles from across the world, finding the roots of the music which is such a prominent part of modern life. At the heart of music is the experience and so we aim to make our curriculum as active as possible, building soft skills such as ensemble skills through the creative process.

THEMES

The Elements of Music
The use of Music Technology
Understanding the development of Popular Music through the decades
Studying examples of world music.
Developing the skills to review and improve performances through listening and analysis

SKILLS

Music lessons focus on a variety of genres which are used as stimulus to build musical skills. These skills fall into the core skills:

Performance; singing and instrumental
Composition; electronic and for live performance
The use of music technology.
An introduction to music notation.

ASSESSMENT

Assessments in music are at the end of each musical project. These may be in the form of a performance, composition or a electronic project

STRETCH & CHALLENGE

Students have the opportunity to extend their musical learning through more developed performance pieces, room to develop their own composition pieces using the tools they learn within the lesson.
Within group work our student have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills with their peers, showing their command of the subject.
Students can also access musical instrument lessons offered through the department.

Key Stage 3 : Modules Taught

Year 7

Singing
Notation
Gamelan
Caribbean Music
Keyboard Skills 1 - Pachelbel's Canon
Instruments of the Orchestra

Year 8

Sequencing
Storybook Rap
Band Project - 4 Chord songs
Keyboard Skills 2 - California Dreamin'
The Blues
Gaming Music

Year 9

1960s British Invasion
1970s Reggae
1980s Hip Hop
1990s Britpop
Keyboard Skills 3 -Black
Audio recording - Black

Key Stage 4

Music Practice BTEC Tech Award

Component 1: Exploring the Music Products and Styles 30%

Aim: explore musical styles and techniques, and gain an understanding of roles in the industry
Explore different styles and genres of music.
Take part in practical workshops to understand the music creation process.
Learn about the different roles within the music industry
Investigate relationships between different areas of the music industry.

This is a practical research unit where we explore genres of music from the 1960s to the present day using a mixture of performance, composition and sequencing. You will then present your findings on a google site.

Component 2: Music Skills Development 30%

Aim: develop musical knowledge, skills, and techniques and apply them to a music product
Reflect on their progress, and on areas for improvement.
Choose a job role and explore the skills needed to fulfil it.
Develop a range of skills.
Apply skills and techniques in a music performance, creation or production.

For component 2 we ask you to develop your skills in either performance or music technology. Starting with a review of your skills you choose areas to develop and keep a log of your progress. You will also work in a group to teach others some of the skills you have developed.

Component 3: Responding to a Music Brief 40% (Externally Assessed)

Aim: put skills into practice by responding to a brief as a composer, performer or producer
Choose an area of the industry that excites them (composer, performer, or producer).
Explore the brief and come up with possible responses and ideas.
Use relevant resources, skills and techniques to develop and refine musical material.
Present their final response (solo or in a group).
Review and reflect their approach to the brief and their final outcome.