Music 

At Cedars, the Music curriculum aims to ensure that all students have the opportunity to engage in musical activity from the beginning of Year 9. The Year 9 curriculum is designed to include all students and generate a love of music, while beginning to develop key skills in performing, composing, and critical listening. As students progress through Key Stages, these three areas are incorporated into each lesson, with students learning new musical terminology and concepts, composing their own short pieces that incorporate new concepts, performing their work, and engaging in critical listening and peer/self assessment of their work. These areas develop further as students complete performance and composition coursework, as well as analyse set works at GCSE and A Level, alongside honing their aural skills. 

The curriculum is designed to offer multiple pathways for musical and creative students, with inclusivity at the heart of the department, so that all students can be aspirational within Music. At KS4, two Music qualifications are delivered alongside each other to ensure all students can achieve success in the subject, while also having the opportunity to achieve an additional qualification. At KS5, Music and Music Technology options allow students to further specialise in the area(s) they choose. Inclusivity is also achieved through the belief that all instruments, genres and traditions are of equal value, with coursework tailored to the strengths and passions of individual students. There is also an emphasis on musical diversity and eclecticism, with students exposed to a vast range of musical eras, styles, and cultures across the curriculum. 

The curriculum is supplemented by a variety of extra-curricular opportunities, which are also available to all students, and are often student-led. This allows students to continue to be determined, engaged, and aspirational within Music either in or out of lessons, and take ownership of their learning within the subject.