S1-2 Music

In S1 learners begin to develop practical skills on classroom instruments: ukulele, keyboard, drum kit, tuned percussion, guitar and bass guitar.

In S2 learners consolidate their learning on a selection of instruments before selecting two for further development of skills.

In S1 learners explore world music genres. As a group, they are encouraged to use improvisation and imitation to create music using African drums and Latin American rhythms on untuned percussion.

In the Music Festival unit in S2 learners have the opportunity to incorporate composition using musical instruments and/or music technology (GarageBand).

In S1, learners learn about instruments of the orchestra through listening and performing activities. They learn to recognise the sounds of steel pans, gamelan, African drums and Latin American music. 

In S2, learners focus on the evolution of popular music: rock 'n' roll, soul, The British Invasion, disco, pop, grunge and hip-hop/rap.

The Journey unit in Music provides the opportunity to explore Foley within the context of planning, creating and producing a short soundtrack for a travel company's television advert. They use objects and movement imaginatively to create sounds, carrying out basic editing and mixing on them using GarageBand. 

As part of their S2 Enrichment block in Creative Arts learners explore stop motion animation. Those who elect to participate in the Music Technology masterclasses learn how to record real-life sounds and sound effects in class and around the school, then they lead this aspect as they work as part of a group to produce a claymation project using digital editing software.